Schengen’s ‘Trusted Person’ Program: Two-Year Multiple-Entry Visas Could Reduce Appointment Backlogs

Schengen Visa Reform: ‘Trusted Person’ Model Could Introduce Two-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

A new “Trusted Person” model, developed at the technical level between Ankara and Brussels, is moving closer to implementation. Under the proposal, applicants with low migration risk, regular international travel, and strong economic or academic integration could initially become eligible for two-year multiple-entry Schengen visas.

The initiative is intended to reduce the operational burden created by repeated short-term visa applications, shorten appointment waiting times, and provide a transitional solution until comprehensive EU visa liberalization is achieved. Technical discussions throughout the week focused on finalizing the framework.

Who Will Be Eligible?

The first groups expected to benefit from Trusted Person status include business executives, academics, and students with well-established educational or professional links to Europe.

The primary eligibility criteria include:

• Low migration risk
• Regular international travel or professional activity
• Strong economic or academic integration

Two-Stage Visa System Planned

The proposal introduces a two-step evaluation process.

Applicants who meet the required criteria would initially receive a two-year multiple-entry Schengen visa. If they continue to comply with visa regulations and maintain a positive travel record, they could become eligible for a five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa during a future application.

The system is designed to evaluate long-term compliance while rewarding travelers with a proven record of respecting visa rules.

Applications Could Fall by Up to 400,000 Per Year

According to official projections, the introduction of the new model could reduce annual Schengen visa applications from Türkiye by between 200,000 and 400,000.

Authorities believe that separating frequent travelers from the standard application pool would significantly improve appointment availability, shorten processing times, and reduce pressure on European consulates.

Different From the EU’s Cascade Mechanism

Unlike the European Union’s existing Cascade mechanism—which primarily evaluates applicants based on previous visa history—the proposed Trusted Person model focuses on professional status and institutional credibility.

This means qualified applicants could enter the system directly with a two-year visa instead of progressing gradually through previous visa records.

Liberal TR Haber Analysis: What Could This Mean?

The proposed framework could provide practical advantages for both applicants and consulates.

A reduction in repeat visa applications is expected to ease administrative workloads while making appointments more accessible and improving processing efficiency.

However, because the model relies on professional and institutional screening, experts say transparent implementation, effective oversight, and reliable data-sharing mechanisms will be essential to ensure fairness and public confidence.

From an economic perspective, facilitating travel for business leaders, researchers, academics, and students could strengthen trade, investment, innovation, and academic cooperation between Türkiye and the European Union.

At the same time, offering preferential access to specific applicant groups may increase expectations that the selection process will remain transparent, accountable, and based on objective criteria.

Quick Facts

• The Ankara–Brussels proposal prioritizes applicants with low migration risk and regular international engagement.
• Eligible travelers could initially receive a two-year multiple-entry Schengen visa, with the possibility of upgrading to a five-year visa after demonstrating compliance.
• Officials estimate that annual Schengen visa applications from Türkiye could decrease by 200,000–400,000, easing pressure on consular services and reducing appointment waiting times.