GF received Schengen-visa, multi-entry for 5 years

[bkknow]

My TGF recently applied for a schengen-visa but this time she has received a Multi-entry visa until December 2019! That's a validity of almost 5 years.

The thing is we travel to Europe approx. 4 times a year to visit family or having short 2-weeks holidays. We never really stay longer than 2 weeks.

Might it be that the embassy noticed that she travels frequently and just gave her such a visa out of courtesy?

I guess the following things have attributed as well:

- She has her own business thus financially independent - provided a copy of business registration, photo's of employees + business, original business bank statements etc.

- Showed her old passport with 2 previous schengen-visa's. The first one was single entry, the second one had a validity of 1 year, multi-entry.

- Provided photo's as proof of our relationship.

Has anyone elses girlfriend on here received such a visa? Or might this be a mistake?

[theoldgit]

What Consulate was that from?

My girlfriend recently applied for a Schengen Visa, her third, from the Dutch Consulate, and she was issued with a multi entry visa for just short of two years, it's valid up until three months before her passport expires, and allows her a stay of up to 90 days. Because she's the long term girlfriend of an EU national it was issued free of charge.

I understand that passports must be valid for a period of at least 3 months after the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen states, so the visa was issued to comply with that rule.

I've been informed that some Consulates prefer to issue visas to regular travellers for the longest term possible as it cuts down on their processing, and because of their flexibility we've just booked a short notice trip to Amsterdam.

[Donutz]

It's not a mistake, frequent travelers can (should) get multiple entry visa. Such visa can be valid for 6 months to 5 years. Some embassies issue them faster then others though.

Some embassies seem reluctant to issue them, I've heard of people who had a few Schengen visa including multiple entry and then got a single entry. Now that would be a mistake and in such a case I'd complain and ask for a multiple entry visa.

[KhunBENQ]

You happy campers!

Visa for a girlfriend, not married?

Multiple for two or more years!?

Congrats!

Try the German embassy

They recently refused an elderly male scientist to participate at a congress.

Edited May 28, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[bobrussell]

The cynic in me makes me wonder if they would issue the same visa if they were charging for the pleasure? Spouse/partner related Schengen visas cost them money. Other Schengen visas make them money?

[rickthailand]

hi,

 

i know this post is old but here goes. we just got the same situation my partner got his 3rd schengen visa multiple entries validity for 3 years. so does this mean next year if we want to go to holland we dont have to go through the embassy again? maybe just get travel insurance?/

 

greetings

 

rick

 

[theoldgit]

Yes it does, though with all visas it doesn't give an absolute guarantee of admittance, the visa holder still has to satisfy the officer at the Schengen Border that they're a genuine visitor and will leave the Schengen Area at the conclusion of their visit.
It's worth noting that visitors from non Schengen countries are being subjected to increased checks recently when they enter, this has been leading to long queues at Immigration.