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Applying for a Schengen Visa from the United States

Do us citizens need a visa for europe.

Currently, US citizens can travel to Europe (Schengen/EU countries) for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) without needing a visa, as long as they meet passport and other entry requirements. However, starting in May 2025, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will require US citizens to obtain a travel authorization prior to their trip.

If you are living in the US but hold a passport from a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with the EU , you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit any country in the Schengen Area.

To help you with the process, our team of Schengen visa experts has created a detailed guide for applying for a Schengen visa from the USA. This guide provides valuable tips and expert advice to ensure you are fully prepared for your application.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.S.?

To apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.S., you have to follow these steps:

Check if You Need a Schengen Visa

Confirm your eligibility to apply from the us, understand the type of visa you need.

• Determine Where to Lodge Your Visa Application in the US
• Complete and Download the Application Form

Schedule Your Visa Appointment

Prepare the required documents, attend your appointment, wait for the visa to process, collect your passport.

Whether or not travelers from the US require a visa to enter the EU/Schengen area varies depending on nationality.

• U.S. Citizens : You do not need a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) unless you have previously been denied entry to the Schengen area.
• You hold a passport from a country without a visa liberalization agreement with the EU.
• You were previously denied entry into the Schengen area without a visa.

You can also use our Schengen visa wizard , crafted by our team of visa experts, to determine if you require a visa to travel from the US to the Schengen zone. This tool also assists you in locating the appropriate embassy, consulate, or visa application center in the US where you can submit your Schengen visa application.

You must be a legally registered resident of the United States to be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from the US.

You’ll need to have a valid residence permit, like a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), a US alien registration card, or a valid US resident visa (types A, E, F with an endorsed I-20, G, H, I, J with a J1 document, L, O, R).

Additionally, this permit should remain valid for at least three months after your intended return from the Schengen Area.

As a Non-US Resident, Where Should I Submit My Application?

If you are a non-US resident, you cannot apply for a Schengen visa in the USA—you have to apply from your home country.

For short stays in the Schengen area (up to 90 days) for tourism, family visits, or business, you’ll need a C-type visa (short-stay). For stays over 90 days or other extended purposes, a D-type visa (long-stay or national visa) is required.

For detailed information check out our  comprehensive guide about different types Schengen visas .

Determine Where to Lodge Your Visa Application

Where you should lodge your Schengen visa application in the US depends on which Schengen country—or countries—you will travel to.

If Visiting One Schengen Country

If you only plan to visit one European country during your trip, where to apply is pretty straightforward: you should apply for the visa of that country you plan to visit. For example, if you’re only going to Germany, then apply for a German Schengen visa.

It gets slightly trickier when you visit multiple countries.

If Visiting More Than One Schengen Country

If you will travel to multiple European countries within the Schengen Area, to determine where you should lodge your application, consider the following factors:

• Main destination. You should apply for a visa from the country in which you will be spending the most time. For instance, if you plan to spend a week in France and two days in Italy, apply for a French visa.
• Entry point. If you are spending an equal amount of time in various Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa from the country you will be entering the Schengen zone first.

Finding the Right Submission Location

Schengen visa application centres in the us: where to apply for each schengen country.

Please review the following to decide whether you should apply for your Schengen visa at the embassy/consulate of the Schengen country in the US or through Visa Application Centers (VACs). These VACs are authorized by the EU missions in the United States.

Here’s where to lodge your Schengen visa application in the U.S. based on each Schengen Member State:

When applying for an Austrian visa from the US, you have to submit your application at a VFS application center or the Austrian Consulate in Los Angeles.

To apply for a visa to Belgium in the US, you have to lodge your application at one of the following:

You have to lodge the application for a Croatia visa at the Croatian Embassy to the US or in one of the General Consulates:

See the addresses of the Croatian Embassy and Consulates in the US.

To apply for a Cyprus visa from the US, you have to lodge your application at either the Cyprus Embassy in Washington, DC or the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York. Find the address of the Cyprus Embassy or Consulate here.

Czech Republic

To apply for a Czech Republic visa, you have to lodge your application in one of the following locations, depending on which US State you live in:

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for a Denmark visa at one of the VFS Centres in:

• San Francisco
• Washington DC

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for an Estonia visa at one of the VFS Centres in:

• Los Angeles

When applying from the USA, you have to lodge your application for a Finland visa at one of the VFS Global centres in:

When applying from the US, you have to lodge your France visa application at one of the following VFS Global centers:

To get detailed guidance on applying for a Germany Schengen visa from the US, refer to the following resource:

How to Apply for a German Schengen Visa in the U.S.

You should start by figuring out where to submit your Germany visa application in the US , and then schedule your Germany visa appointment accordingly.

Here’s where to apply for a Greek visa in the USA:

When applying from the USA, you can lodge your application for a Hungary visa at the Hungarian embassy in Washington DC, or one of the Consulates General in New York, Chicago, or LA.

You can lodge your application for an Iceland visa at one of the following VFS Global centers in the US:

You can lodge your application for an Italy visa at the Italian embassy in Washington or one of the Consulates.

In the US, you can lodge your application for a Latvia visa in a VFS Global center:

You can also lodge your application at the following locations:

• Embassy of Latvia in Washington, D.C
• Consulate General of Poland in Los Angeles
• Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago
• Consulate General of Poland in Houston

Note: Citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus can only apply for a visa in person at the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C.

In the US, you can lodge your application for a Lithuanian visa in one of the following VFS centers:

You have to lodge your application for a Luxembourg visa at the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington or the Consulates in San Francisco or New York, depending on where you live:

In the US, you must lodge the application for a Malta visa either at the Malta Embassy in Washington DC or in the Malta Consulate in New York .

Netherlands

To apply for a Netherlands visa in the US, lodge an application at one of the following VFS centers:

If applying for a Norway visa, you must lodge your application in one of the following VFS centers in the States:

You have to lodge your application for a Portugal visa in one of the following centers:

• VFS center in New York – if you live in the States of Connecticut, Michigan, and New York. Territories of American Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.
• VFS center in San Francisco – if you live in AAlaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas.
• VFS center in Washington DC , Miami , or Houston – If you live in States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, District of Columbia and Bahamas.
• Consulate General in Boston – if you live in Massachusetts (except the area covered by the consulate in New Bedford), Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont.
• Consulate General in New Bedford – if you live in the cities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford or Fall River or the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, or Plymouth
• Consulate General in Newark – if you live in Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania
• Consulate General in Providence – if you live in Rhode Island

In the US, you have to lodge an application for a Slovakia visa through one of the BLS visa application centers in Washington D.C, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, or Boston.

When applying from the US, you have to lodge your application for a Slovenia visa through one of the VFS global centers in:

To apply for a Spain visa in the US, lodge your application at one of the following VFS Global centers:

If you are applying for a Sweden visa, you must lodge your application at one of the VFS centers in:

Switzerland

If you are applying for a Switzerland visa from the US, lodge your application at one of the following VFS centers:

Who Makes the Visa Decisions? Although nearly all Schengen visa applications in the U.S. are outsourced to visa centers, such as VFS Global or BLS International, these centers do not make decisions on visa applications—they will only accept your application and documents and send them to the right Schengen embassy/consulate for a decision.

Complete and Download the Visa Application Form

One of the first steps when applying for a Schengen visa from the U.S. is to download and complete the visa application form . Although this form is the same for all Schengen countries (harmonized), many embassies or consulate offices prefer that applicants complete it through a specific online application or through a visa center.

Here’s where to complete or download the Schengen visa application form in the US, depending on the Schengen country:

• Iceland ( online )

Once you have completed the application form, you have to schedule an appointment with the relevant visa application center or Schengen embassy/consulate in the US.

Here’s a guide on how to schedule your Schengen visa appointment in the U.S. for each Schengen Member State:

You have to schedule your Austria visa appointment with a VFS Centre in:

• Houston , Miami , or Washington, DC – if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Bahamas
• Los Angeles or San Francisco if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, U.S. Pacific Islands
• Chicago or New York City if you live in Bermudas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin

Schedule an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles if you live in Northern California.

To schedule your Belgium visa appointment in the US, you have the following options:

• Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. – if you live in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, or the Bahamas.
• Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta – if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (except the counties of Campbell and Kenton), Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee.
• Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles – if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, United States Territory of Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.
• Consulate General of Belgium in New York – if you live in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North and South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, or the counties of Campbell and Kenton (Kentucky).

To schedule your Croatia visa appointment in the US, follow these instructions:

• Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Washington DC – Email: [email protected] or Phone: +1 202-588-5899. Jurisdictions: Alabama, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, Howland, Jarvis and Baker Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa, Palmyra, Wake Island, Micronesia (Federal States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau), Panama, or Mexico.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in New York – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (212) 599-3066. Jurisdictions: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles, CA – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (310) 477-1009. Jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
• Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Chicago – Email: [email protected] or Phone: (312) 482-9902. Jurisdictions: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, or Wisconsin.

See the addresses of the Croatian Embassy and Consulates in the US .

If you’re applying for a Croatian visa at the VFS Centre in New York, you have to book your appointment online via this link .

To schedule an appointment for a Cyprus visa in the US, contact the consular services department of the Cyprus embassy:

• Phone Number: (202) 462-0632
• Web: www.cyprusembassy.net

To schedule an appointment with a Czech Embassy or Consulate General in the US, you have to send an email with the Subject line “SCHENGEN VISA appointment request: [SURNAME(S) OF APPLICANT(S)]” to one of the following email addresses:

• Czech Embassy in Washington, DC : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda).
• Czech Consulate General in Los Angeles : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming).
• Czech Consulate General in New York : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont).
• Czech Consulate General to Chicago : Send an email at [email protected] . (If you live in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin).

In the US, you have to book an appointment for a Denmark visa online through VFS Global .

To submit an Estonian visa application in the US, you must schedule an appointment online through the VFS Global Center .

To submit your Finland visa application in the US, you have to schedule an appointment online through a VFS Global center .

Book your appointment for a France Visa in the US online, through the VFS website .

To access detailed instructions on booking your Germany visa appointment in the US, simply click the link below:

Scheduling Your Germany Visa Appointment in the US

Here’s how to schedule your appointment for a Greek visa in the USA:

• Book an appointment online with the Greek Consular Office in Washington DC if you live in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia or West Virginia.
• Book an appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in San Francisco if you live in Alaska, California (zip codes 93000+), Idaho, Montana, North Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
• Schedule appointment with the Greek Consulate General in Boston by calling +1 617 523 0100 or sending an email to: [email protected] if you live in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in Los Angeles if you live in Arizona, California (zip codes: 90001-93199), Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico or South Nevada.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in New York if you live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Connecticut.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate General in Chicago if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, N. Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, S. Dakota, or Wisconsin.
• Book your appointment with the Greek Consulate General in Tampa by calling 0018138650200 or sending an email to [email protected] if you live in Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi.
• Book your appointment online with the Greek Consulate in Atlanta if you live in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, or South Carolina.
• Book your appointment with the Greek Consulate in Houston by calling +1 713 840 7522-ext.1 or sending an email to [email protected] if you live in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma as well as Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.

Here’s how to schedule your appointment for a Hungary visa in the USA:

You can schedule your appointment for an Iceland visa online through the VFS Global centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington.

If you are submitting your visa application in the US, you have to schedule your Italy visa appointment online.

If you will apply for a Latvia visa at one of the VFS Global centers in the US, you can schedule your appointment online .

If you will apply at the Latvian Embassy or other Schengen Consular offices, schedule your appointment as follows:

• To apply at the Embassy of Latvia in Washington, D.C schedule your appointment via email: [email protected] .
• To apply at the Consulate General of Poland in Los Angeles schedule your appointment here
• To apply at the Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago call the consulate: 312-397-0382 or visit the official website .
• To apply at the Consulate General of Poland in Houston, schedule your appointment here .

You can book your visa appointment online at one of the VFS centers in  Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or Washington.

To schedule your appointment for a Luxembourg visa in the US, you have to contact the Embassy or one of the Consulates.

• Contact the Embassy of Luxembourg, Washington DC if you live in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
• Contact the Consulate General in San Francisco if you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
• Contact the Consulate General in New York if you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
• To schedule an appointment with the Malta Embassy in Washington DC , email [email protected] ​.
• To schedule an appointment with the Malta Consulate in New York , email [email protected] .

In the US, you have to book your appointment for a Netherlands visa online through a VFS Global application center. There are application centers in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

You have to book your appointment online with one of the VFS application centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC.

If applying through a VFS center (in Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC), you have to book your appointment online . Check your Consular Jurisdiction as stated on the VFS website before scheduling an appointment.

If applying through one of the Portuguese General Consulates, you have to contact the relevant consulate:

• Consulate General in New Bedford – if you live in the cities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford or Fall River or the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, or Plymouth.
• Consulate General in Newark – if you live in Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
• Consulate General in Providence – if you live in Rhode Island.

Book your appointment for a Slovakia visa in the US online through the BLS website .

You must book your appointment for a Slovenia visa online at one of the VFS centers in US cities (Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC).

To schedule your Spain visa appointment in the US, you can book your appointment at the BLS centers located in various cities:

You should book your appointment for a Sweden visa in one of the VFS centers in Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC. You must book the appointment online .

Schedule your appointment for a Swiss visa Consulate General of The Republic of Lithuania in Chicago if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. For residents of these states there is a representation agreement allowing them to apply through the Lithuanian consulate.

If you live elsewhere in the US, you have to schedule your appointment with one of the Swiss representation offices in the US through this website after you complete your visa application form.

To apply for a Schengen visa in the US, you need a standard set of documents as outlined here . As a US resident, you also need to submit the following:

• Proof of legal residence in the USA and re-entry document. Original of your valid US Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or a valid US Resident Visa (e.g., type H-1B). The US residence permit or visa should be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area.
• If you are employed in the US: Submit a declaration from your employer stating the period of your intended absence.
• If you are self-employed in the US: Submit a tax return document from the previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and income during that period.
• If you are a student in the US: You may have to submit an I-20 form, along with a letter from your US educational institution.
• If you are retired: Submit a copy of your pension certificate, a letter from a previous employer, a pension check stub, or confirmation from the responsible authority about your pension amount.
• Travel insurance from a US or Schengen-based company .  The insurance should have a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and include repatriation in the event of death.
• Legalization of documents from countries other than the US. If you are submitting documents to prove family relationships from countries other than the US, you must have the documents legalized by the embassy or consulate of the country to which you are traveling.

The European embassies and consulates in the US may ask for specific documentation as per the regulations of their institution.

Please make sure that you have all the documents as required on the checklist—a document checklist is usually provided along with the application form at visa application centers or is posted on the embassy/consulate website. 

How Much Money Do I Need to Apply for an EU Visa in the US?

To apply for a Schengen Visa from the US, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support your visit in Europe. The required minimum bank balance varies depending on the specific Schengen country you’re applying to, ranging from €14 to €100 per day.

On the day of your appointment, you must show up on time, have your passport, application form, and all the required documents with you, and have enough money to pay the visa fee if you haven’t already paid it online while scheduling the appointment.

Paying the Application Fee

Schengen visa fee for the us residents.

The standard fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 90 (appx. 100 USD). If you apply through a visa application center, an additional service fee may apply. Payment methods include cash, credit/debit cards, or payment slips (depending on the visa center or embassy). Confirm the payment options before your appointment.

Biometric Data

On your appointment, you will need to submit a biometric visa photo as well as scans of your fingerprints. Your biometric information is taken for security and identification reasons and is stored in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS).

If you have applied for a Schengen visa in the last five years, your information is still stored in VIS, and you may be exempted from submitting fingerprint scans again.

Visa Interview

Sometimes, when you apply for a Schengen visa in the United States, the consular officers at the embassy or consulate will ask you questions about your planned trip to Europe (why you’re going, what you plan to do when you will return) and personal questions (about your life in the US, your job or studies, your family, etc.).

Make sure you answer all the questions truthfully and without hesitation.

Can Someone Else Apply For a Schengen Visa on My Behalf?

Yes, someone else can apply for a Schengen visa on your behalf, but only if you’ve granted them authorization to do so and you’re not required to submit your biometric data.

In the US, a Schengen visa application usually takes 15 days to process. However, this timeframe could be extended up to 45 days if the consulate requires additional documents, if there’s a high volume of applications, especially before holidays, or if other reasons delay the process.

This is why it is important to apply well ahead of time!

Tracking Your Application

Since most Schengen visas in the US are submitted through a visa application center (VAC), you can typically track the status of your application through the VAC’s website.

To see your application status, you just need to enter your visa reference number (usually found on the application fee slip) and your last name.

If you applied through a Schengen embassy or consulate, it may not be possible to track your application.

Receiving a Visa Decision

If your visa is granted , the Schengen visa will be affixed to your passport, and you will be able to travel to the Schengen Area within the dates specified on the visa sticker.

If your visa is rejected , the reason for the rejection will be stated in the decision letter. You can either re-apply for the visa or try to appeal the decision. Whether you can appeal a decision (and how) will also be stated on the visa decision letter.

After your Schengen visa application in the US has been processed, you must collect your passport from the embassy, consulate, or visa application center. You can collect your passport in person at the designated pick-up counters, or it may be mailed to you through a courier service (if this is an option).

In the latter case, you will have to pay for the service at the time of visa application.

Travelling to Europe from the US as a Non-US Citizen

After your visa is granted, you can enter the Schengen Area in the Europe within the dates specified on your passport. As a non-US citizen entering the Schengen Zone, you must have the following documents with you.

• Your valid passport (with at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay)
• Schengen visa, affixed to your passport
• Travel itinerary (including flight reservations and other planned activities)
• Proof of travel health insurance (with coverage of at least €30,000 across the Schengen Area)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Schengen Area (e.g., bank statements, credit cards, sponsor letter, etc)
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, rental agreements, or letter of invitation)
• Any other relevant documents, such as an invitation letter from a friend, family member, or organization, acceptance letter in a short-term study course, proof of the business you plan to conduct in the Schengen Area, proof you will attend a cultural event, etc.

I'm a U.S. green card holder, not a U.S. citizen. Do I need a Schengen visa for short-term travel to Europe?

If you’re a US green card holder planning a short trip to Europe, you might require a Schengen visa depending on your nationality. Use the visa checker tool to determine whether you need a Schengen visa to travel from the US to the EU.

As a US tourist, am I eligible to apply for an Europe Visa from the US?

If you’re visiting the U.S. as a tourist and don’t hold a U.S. residence permit, you’re unable to apply for a Schengen visa from within the U.S. You must apply from your home country instead.

Do I require a transit or Schengen visa for my journey from the USA to Pakistan, with connecting flights in Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport? I hold Pakistani citizenship and possess a valid US visa.

If you hold a Pakistani passport and you’re traveling through two airports within the Schengen Area, according to Schengen visa code, you need a valid short-stay visa, not just an airport transit visa .

Can an Indian passport holder apply for a Schengen visa from the US?

Yes, Indian citizens and passport holders who are legally registered residents of the United States are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa while residing in the US.

Non-residents, such as Indian travelers and tourists who plan on staying in the US for three months or less, should be discouraged from applying for a Schengen visa from within the US. Instead, they should apply for a Schengen visa in India.

Other Information:

Data Protection

Your personal data submitted during the Schengen visa application process in the US is safeguarded and managed in compliance with Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 , also known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) .

If you have any concerns about the security of your data, you can contact the Data Protection Commissioner of the Schengen country where you’re applying for a visa.

Related Links

Applying for a schengen visa from boston, step-by-step guide to booking a round-trip flight reservation or itinerary for schengen visa.

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In Europe's Schengen area , your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. At present, the Schengen area includes most European Union (EU) countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland.

If you are transiting through Canada or the United Kingdom (UK) enroute to the Schengen area : your passport must be valid for at least six months, even though Canada and the UK do not themselves have the six-month rule. If your passport will expire within six months, airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.

Traveling in Europe

If you plan to travel in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Borders Agreement, which allows you to move freely within a number of countries without border checks. Tourists, exchange students, and people visiting for business from certain countries, like the United States, can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area includes most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Before you travel to the Schengen area, we recommend you do the following:

• Check the expiration date on your passport book carefully before traveling to Europe. Ensure your passport book is valid for at least six months when you enter the Schengen area. This is especially important for minors under age 16 as their passports are only valid for five years. In contrast, U.S. citizen adults aged 16 and older receive passports that are valid for 10 years.
• Always carry your passport book with you when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
• Be prepared to explain your purpose of travel.
• Be prepared to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit.
• Comply with other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.

On our Country Information pages , you can find passport validity requirements and other important information for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be:

• Refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.
• Denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area, regardless of how long you will stay.

An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border. You will have to present your passport at that time. The officer may deny your entry if you do not qualify.

You should also check passport validity requirements if traveling onward from the Schengen area to a country outside the Schengen area. You can find this information in our Country Information pages.

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN?

• With a valid U.S. passport book, you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism or business during any 180-day period. You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
• If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time and apply for a visa.

Countries in the Schengen area may reinstate temporary internal or external border control without notice. U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passport book at all times when entering or leaving the Schengen area. They should also bring it when traveling between Schengen countries.

How can the U.S. government help me if border officials do not let me enter?

• We can give you the contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
• We can provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney overseas if you choose to do so.
• Note: We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter. We cannot intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

Click on the country name for more information.

Bulgaria (entering in March 2024)

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

Romania (entering in March 2024)

Switzerland

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Consulate General of France in Washington Visa Section

Home > Applying for a French visa in the US

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Applying for a French visa in the US

United States/France – Period of Validity Extended for Treaty Investor and Treaty Trader Visas

Less than one year after President Macron’s state visit to the U.S., during which he committed to expanding the bilateral trade and investment relationship between France and the U.S., the issuance and renewal processes for investor visas and residence permits has been simplified and their period of validity has been extended.

[read more...]

Applying for a French visa in the United States

We are currently experiencing unusually high application volumes due to a combination of lifted Covid restrictions and seasonal demand. As a result, the wait time for an appointment at VFS Global is currently much longer than usual. New appointments become available each week. We thank you for your understanding.

Visas Please contact VFS GLOBAL for visa-related concerns : By phone : + 212 784 6157 / +1 347-252-3055 By email : [email protected] The consulate’s visa service is reachable in case of (...)

Applying for a Schengen visa

This is a general overview - for more details contact the embassy or consulate of your main destination country.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area. 

Schengen visas come in 3 forms: 

• single-entry visa - allowing you to enter the Schengen area once;
• multiple-entry visa - allowing several visits to the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid;
• airport transit visa - allows you to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a stopover or a change of flights. It does not allow you to leave the international transit area.

How long can you stay?

The short-stay visa calculator can help you calculate the remaining period you are allowed to stay in a Schengen country. 

The user's guide provides step by step instructions and practical examples to help you use the calculator.

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?

Citizens of certain non-EU countries must hold a short-stay visa when travelling to the Schengen area. 

Consult the EU list of countries whose citizens are required to hold a visa when crossing its external borders. There are exceptions to the visa requirements for certain types of traveller to certain countries (e.g. diplomats, armed forces, refugees, pupils on school excursions).

Airport transit visas

• Some non-EU nationals must also hold an airport transit visa when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in any of the Schengen States . 
• For citizens of certain additional countries , an airport transit visa is required when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in some of the Schengen countries . 
• There are some categories of people who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa (see Article 3(5) of the Visa Code ).

Where to apply

You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit . 

• Visiting more than 1 Schengen countries : apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time.
• Visiting several Schengen countries (for stays of equal length): apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit.

As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident.

More information for each Schengen country can be found on these websites

When to apply.

You must submit your application to the consulate  at least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand . 

You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.

What documents are needed to apply?

• A valid passport . The passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after the date of your departure from the Schengen area. For multiple-entry visas, the expiry date should be at least 3 months after your departure from the last country visited.
• A visa application form .
• A photo in compliance with ICAO standards .
• Medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in the event of death).
• Supporting documents relating to the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means and accommodation during your stay, and evidence of your intention to return to your home country after your stay.
• Your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).

Additional documents may also be requested by the consulates.

How much does a visa cost?

• €90 for adults
• €45 for children aged 6-12
• €35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus
• €67,50 for applicants from Cabo Verde.

An additional fee may apply if you go through visa service centres , which collect applications on behalf of consulates in some cases.

The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.

How long does the application take to process?

The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days . 

This period may be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required.

Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.

Refusal of a visa application

If your application is rejected, you will be told:

• why it was rejected
• how to submit an appeal.

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Getting a Schengen Visa from the U.S.

More and more people are traveling from the U.S. to Europe these days than ever before. And if you plan to be one of them, chances are you’ll be visiting one (or more) of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area . Whether you’ll need a Schengen Visa to do so depends on your particular situation. So to save you some time and make your future Eurotrip as carefree and enjoyable as possible, AXA has everything you need to know about how to apply for a Schengen visa from the U.S . below.

• Do I need a Schengen Visa as a U.S. citizen?
• What if I’m a U.S. permanent resident or Green Card holder? 
• How can I apply for a Schengen visa from the U.S.A?

What are the requirements for a Schengen visa application?

What is the cost of a schengen visa, how long is a schengen visa valid for.

• Can I travel to all European countries with a Schengen visa?

How can AXA help?

• How to apply for a Schengen visa in other countries?

Do I need a Schengen Visa as a U.S citizen?

As a U.S. citizen, you won’t need a visa to visit the Schengen Area — provided that your trip is fewer than 90 days, within a 180-day period, and before 2025*.

You will, however, need your U.S. passport. And that’s important — because, statistically speaking, only about a third of U.S. adults say they have a valid (and unexpired) U.S. passport. While roughly another third admit to never even having had one at all.

Your passport will need to have been issued no more than 10 years before your entry into the Schengen Zone and be valid for at least three months after your planned date of exit. So make sure to check those expiration dates too.

Also be aware that if you spend three months in the Schengen area during any six-month period, you must wait another three months after the last date of departure (from the Schengen area) before you can apply to enter the Schengen area again without a visa.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days, you’ll need either a long-stay national visa or a residency permit.

*IMPORTANT NOTE : Starting in 2025, however, to travel to Europe in general U.S. passport holders will need to apply for a visa waiver through the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (aka ETIAS). In theory, obtaining said waiver should be relatively quick and painless though — it can be done online and will cost you 7€ (i.e., a few cents more or less than 7 bucks, inflation pending).

What if I’m a U.S. permanent resident or Green Card holder?

A Schengen visa from the USA for non-U.S. citizens and/or Green Card holders may be mandatory if you are a citizen of a state that doesn’t have visa-free travel arrangements with Schengen countries.

These states include India, China, Russia, and all African nations, among many others. But you can see the full lists of both countries that are exempt and that need a visa — courtesy of the European Commission — here . Depending on which of these lists your home country is in, you might indeed need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe.

How can I apply for a Schengen visa from the U.S.A.?

The Schengen visa application process is universal and fairly straightforward. You should apply by scheduling an appointment at the embassy or consulate of the country* you wish to travel to — and, in the U.S., you can easily find these online. If you live in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, or Washington D.C — you can also apply via one of the VFS Global centers there.

After scheduling an appointment, you will be called in for an in-person interview. During this interview, your biometric data — i.e., fingerprints and scanned photos — will be collected, and you will be asked to pay the visa application fee .

*NOTE : If you plan to visit more than one Schengen country, you should apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you’ll be staying the longest. And if you’re staying in several countries for an equal amount of time — apply at the embassy or consulate of the country you’re entering first.

When should I apply?

Your Schengen visa application should be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before your departure date. But you should also give yourself plenty of time — i.e., at least a month or two — to prep all the documents (see below).

The specific documents* required to apply will depend on a number of factors. But, generally speaking, here’s what you’ll need:

• a Schengen Visa application form
• two passport photos (taken within the last three months)
• your passport (issued less than 10 years ago, valid for at least three months after your planned date of departure from the Schengen territory, and with at least two blank pages)
• a photocopy of the passport page (or pages) with biometric data (if applicable)
• travel and medical insurance (covering you up to costs of €30,000)
• your full travel itinerary
• Proof of paid visa fee (IMPORTANT: your application will not be processed if you don’t include the receipt from the required visa fee)
• proof of sufficient financial means (for your entire stay in the Schengen area)
• proof of accommodation (if applicable)
• a letter of invitation (if applicable)

U.S. Green Card holders may also need to provide proof of employment and/or business ownership.

Meanwhile, foreigners studying in the U.S. may be asked to provide an I-20 form , as well as a reference letter from their educational institution.

Bring some extra A4-size copies of everything just in case. But DO NOT staple any documents.

*NOTE: AXA is always doing its best to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information. However, Schengen embassies/consulates may modify their visa rules and regulations at any time. AXA can, therefore, not be held accountable for such changes. So make sure you double-check with your destination country’s official embassy/consulate website as to the latest requirements.

Schengen visa costs are universal . So a Schengen visa for one adult in the U.S. will cost €80 (i.e., around $80).

For children between the ages of 6 and 12, the fee is €40.

And children under 6 can get a Schengen visa for free .*

* In certain cases, the visa fee may also be waived for:

• participants in certain seminars, conferences, sporting, cultural, and/or educational events (25yo or under);
• students/teachers on study and/or training trips;
• certain professionals traveling for the purpose of scientific research.

NOTE : You will also likely have to pay some extra administrative and/or service fees associated with your visa center and/or the respective officials. Visa fees are not reimbursed if your visa is refused .

That depends on the type of visa you choose.

For example, the most common type of Schengen visa is the short-stay (aka Type C) visa. And that allows travel to all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Meanwhile, if you’re just passing through — an airport transit (aka Type A ) visa allows citizens of non-Schengen states to transit through or wait for a connecting flight in the airport of a Schengen country.

On the other hand, if you want to take all of Europe in — a “long-term” (aka Type D ) Schengen visa allows for stays longer than three months. It can be valid for up to 5 years. However, how “long-term” it actually is will depend on your destination country/countries, whether you plan to work, study, or maybe even live in Europe — and so on. .

You can learn more about the specific Schengen visa types (and their length of validity) here .

Can I travel to all European countries on a Schengen visa?

So this part is a bit tricky, especially if it’s your first Eurotrip from the U.S. Because even though most nations in mainland Europe are part of the Schengen Zone (as well as the European Union) — not all of them are. And a handful of European nations, therefore, will have their own particular visa requirements. But AXA can help you learn more about the technicalities — and point you in the right direction — here.

AXA can also help with another crucial step in your Schengen Visa application process from the U.S. And that’s by providing affordable and comprehensive travel insurance for your upcoming trip to Europe. Because — as stated above — travel insurance is mandatory when applying for a Schengen visa.

Fortunately, AXA’s Schengen travel insurance plans meet all the requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa from the U.S .

The AXA travel insurance certificate is accepted by all 29 Schengen countries’ embassies and consulates .

An AXA plan can be purchased online in a matter of minutes from anywhere in the world.

And the AXA certificate can be downloaded (and/or printed) online instantly .

Moreover, if your visa application from the U.S. is rejected — AXA will refund your travel insurance fees in most circumstances. We’ll only ask that you provide official documentation explaining why your visa was refused (from the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center ).

And — last but in no way least — an AXA travel insurance plan will help guarantee your Eurotrip is as safe as possible.

How to apply for a Schengen visa in other countries:

• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from China
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Colombia
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from India
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Indonesia
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Jamaica
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Mexico
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Peru
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from the Philippines
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Saudi Arabia
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Thailand
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Turkey
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.K

Related Articles:

• How to fill out a Schengen visa application form
• How to track your Schengen visa application
• Easiest countries to apply for a Schengen Visa

How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?

In general - the wait time for your Schengen Visa to be processed is at least 15 days . However, in some cases- embassies can take between a month or two to process a visa. It will depend on your particular situation.

How long does it take to get a Schengen visa for Green Card holders?

Schengen visa processing times in the USA (and the rest of the world) are universal. The same 15-day wait time - therefore -  generally applies to non-citizen U.S. residents and/or Green Card holders too.

Can I extend my Schengen visa?

You can - but only in exceptional circumstances . AXA can tell you more about that here .

Can I work or study with a Schengen visa?

The tourist (or TypeC) allows visitors to enter the Schengen Zone for a short business trip - a holiday - or to visit family members. However - it cannot be converted into a work or study permit. But you do have other options and AXA can tell you more about that too .

What if my Schengen visa application is rejected?

You usually have two options — apply again, or write a letter of appeal. You can learn more in the EU’s Article 32(3) of the Visa Code of the Schengen Agreement . But the outcome of your appeal will ultimately depend on your destination country

Get Schengen insurance

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