Schengen visa question: When to apply for a multiple entry CRR?

Dear Editor/Rob V.,

Ask about the new rules for a Schengen visa application. My friend Yen has the following past:

• 2015: 3 months visa single entry 1x entry.
• 2016: 1 year multiple entry visa 1x entry.
• 2017: 3 year multiple entry visa 5x entry.

All entries are 88 days except those of now 2 months because visa expires December 4th.

Now I read the following: this MEV has a validity of 5 years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used an MEV issued earlier with a validity of 3 years in the previous 2 years. I think this applies to my girlfriend. I am going to Thailand on December 28 for 8 weeks. Now my question: is it better to wait with visa applications until after February 2 (new situation) or does this arrangement also exist in the current situation?

Thanks in advance for handling my question.

Regards,

Marc

Dear Marc and Yen,

For the Netherlands, the starting point is that the applicant will receive a more favorable visa each time if the rules have been properly adhered to. Of course, the decision officer weighs each application on its own merits, so there is no guarantee, but then the officer must have the idea that a visa of even longer duration would be an unwise decision. So there is a good chance for you that the next visa will be a 5-year visa.

You can of course also explicitly request this in the accompanying letter. Then briefly justify the need and underline the correct use of all previous visas. For example, 'In the coming years we plan to visit the Netherlands regularly, just as in previous years. As you can see, we have correctly used all previous visas and will continue to do so in the coming years, therefore…'.

If it were a more conservative/reluctant embassy (such as Belgium), I would advise a Thai foreigner to wait until the new rules come into force. Under the new rules, people will be more or less obliged to issue a 'better' visa with each subsequent application (unless the embassy can substantiate why an MEV would not be appropriate). The Belgian decision-making officials can then no longer go for the most reluctant visa as standard.

But for the Netherlands and with a 3-year visa in your pocket? Simply submitting an application under the current rules saves you some money. Must be fine! 🙂

Regards,

Rob V