How do I ask for a long validity Schengen visa?

How do I ask for a long validity visa?

There is no specific format / form for this request. It can be added as a request in the cover letter.

Sample:

I am anticipating frequent future travels to France to meet my French sister company for bi-yearly sync ups. I was wondering if I can I get Multi Entry Visa for the same.

Looking forward for a favourable outcome.

Further, in case of employed applicant,

a. seeking tourist visa: a note for No Objection for future travels can be added in Letter of Introduction

b. seeking business visa: a note for need for for future travels can be added in Letter of Introduction

For how long can I ask the validity to be?

Article 24 of Schengen Visa Code with its subclauses make validity period a subjective thing. Though what is clear is that one can ask for max validity of 5 years and you can increase your chances upto a level by adding relevant documents anticipating future frequent possibility of travelling to Schengen.

The Schengen Visa Code tells us, in article 24:

2. Provided that the applicant fulfils the entry conditions set out in point (a) and points (c) to (e) of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, multiple-entry visas with a long validity shall be issued for the following validity periods, unless the validity of the visa would exceed that of the travel document:

(a) for a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years;

(b) for a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years;

(c) for a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years.

Do note:

Airport transit visas and visas with limited territorial validity issued in accordance with Article 25(1) shall not be taken into account for the issuing of multiple-entry visas.

Before you think this is a no brainer:

2a. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the validity period of the visa issued may be shortened in individual cases where there is reasonable doubt that the entry conditions will be met for the entire period.

2b. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, consulates shall, within local Schengen cooperation, assess whether the rules on the issuing of the multiple-entry visas set out in paragraph 2 need to be adapted to take account of local circumstances, and of migratory and security risks, in view of the adoption of more favourable or more restrictive rules in accordance with paragraph 2d.

2c. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years may be issued to applicants who prove the need or justify their intention to travel frequently or regularly, provided that they prove their integrity and reliability, in particular the lawful use of previous visas, their economic situation in the country of origin and their genuine intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa for which they have applied.

Personal Experience:

I know people who got MEV without meeting 3 trips in 2 years condition.

I know people who did not get MEV even after meeting 3 trips in 2 years condition.

Ref: Different Context but Similar Answer

You can ask for a 1 year visa.

From https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/visa-code.html

Multiple-entry visas with long validity may be issued for one, two or multiple entries. The Visa Code sets out rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas with a progressively longer length of validity:

• 1 year, if the applicant has used three visas within the previous 2 years;
• 2 years, if the applicant has already used a 1-year multiple-entry visa within the previous 2 years;
• 5 years, if the applicant has already used a 2-year multiple-entry visa within the previous 3 years.

Airport transit visas and visas limited to particular countries are not taken into account when taking decisions on the issuing of multiple-entry visas with a long validity.

AFAIK, you apply in the normal way, including a cover letter that explains why you want a long-term visa and evidence of your previous visas.