Schengen Visa Application for Travel to Europe

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U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit most countries in Europe, but citizens of many countries do, even if they are residents in the United States.

Several European countries ("Schengen States") have joined an agreement to recognize one common visa policy for short visits to all member countries. The same Schengen visa will allow you to visit and travel between any of the Schengen States during the same trip, within the validity of the visa. If you have a multiple entry Schengen visa, you can make several trips to any of the member countries. Just be mindful that the total amount of time spent in the Schengen area is up to a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

Schengen countries include: 

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

*Note: Ireland and the UK are not included in the Schengen area. Schengen visa holders must separately obtain an Irish or UK standard visa to visit these countries. The applications process is complicated and lengthy for these destinations as well.

Although the same visa allows travel to any country in the Schengen area, you do need to submit your visa application at the consulate of the country you intend to visit. If your travel itinerary includes more than one Schengen country, then you must apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the most time. If you will be visiting more than one Schengen country for the same amount of time, then submit your visa application to the consulate of the first Schengen country you will visit. Your travel itinerary is very important when applying for a Schengen visa. 

Where to apply for a Schengen visa:

Once you confirm what country you need to lodge your visa application with, you also need to check what consulate has jurisdiction over the state where you live. Just for example, if you live in New York you may submit your application to the country’s consulate in NY, while if you live in Wisconsin you might apply at the country’s consulate in Chicago. Many Schengen countries engage a visa application center to accept applications on behalf of the consulate, so in this case you would book your appointment to submit your application at the visa application center nearest you.

When to apply for a Schengen visa:

You must submit your Schengen visa application to the consulate at least 15 days before your expected travel date, but that is cutting it close. In most cases, you will need to book an appointment to submit the application, and appointment availability is extremely limited at some consulates. It is not uncommon for appointments to be completely booked for months. It is possible to apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months in advance, so we recommended that you book your visa appointment as early as possible. Do not underestimate the wait-time to get an appointment, as well as the processing time for the visa application.

How to apply for a Schengen visa:

In most cases, you must go in person to submit your Schengen visa application. At your appointment you will show your I.D. and have biometrics (photo and fingerprints) taken. 

Step 1: Find out where you need to apply, (which consulate or visa application center has jurisdiction over the state where you live), and how to book an appointment at that location.

Step 2: Fill out the visa application form and gather all the required application materials.

Step 3: Book your appointment. *Book earlier if possible, but many consulates and application centers’ booking process requires you to have completed the application form online before you can reserve an appointment.

Step 4: Submit your application. Carry all the required original documents, plus an extra copy, make sure you have the correct payment method for fees, and a return shipping airbill (if applicable). Your fingerprints will be taken when you submit the application.

What documents are required to apply for a Schengen visa?

All Schengen visas have the same unified requirements, but consulates may determine specific details about what is considered an acceptable document. For example certain wording on support letters, if an original or a copy is acceptable, if any forms must be notarized, etc. In general, the requirements for a Schengen visa are as follows:

• Proof of legal residence in the United States - You must have a greencard or a long-term, multiple entry U.S. visa that allows you to reside in the U.S., and this should have a minimum of 3-month validity beyond the end of the trip. Schengen consulates will not accept applications in the U.S. for short-term visitors or anyone who may not be able to return to the United States from Europe. 
• Valid Passport - The passport must be signed and in good condition. Check to make sure the expiration date is at least 3 months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. *A minimum of 6-month validity beyond any trip is strongly recommended.
• Visa Application Form - The form must be completed, printed, and signed.
• Photo(s) - One or two passport style photos in compliance with ICAO standards.
• Proof of Medical Insurance - Schengen countries have strict requirements for what is acceptable as proof of insurance. Medical expenses including emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation must be covered for the entire Schengen area, and the coverage must be specified in writing from the provider. An insurance card is not sufficient.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds - Evidence that you have enough money and accommodation booked for your entire stay.
• Supporting documents - Materials that confirm your purpose of visit, such as hotel and travel itinerary for tourists, registration and invitation if attending a conference, or letters from your employer and your host if traveling for business.
• Credit card or money orders to pay the visa fees.

How much does a Schengen 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.

*Visa application centers will also charge an additional, separate fee. These fees will be converted to US dollars so the amount may vary slightly depending on when and how the exchange rate is calculated by the consulate. Confirm the method of payment an exact total in USD when booking your appointment.

Final note of caution:

Because the same visa allows travel to any country in the Schengen area, and because appointments can be so difficult to book, some travelers will try to ‘work the system’ and apply where it looks like it will be easier instead of where they should based on their primary destination. However, governments of Schengen countries are cracking down on this, and there can be pretty serious consequences. If the consulate believes you are doing this, your application may be delayed or rejected, or you may be required to change your travel itinerary before they will issue the visa and return your passport. If you get the visa and then arrive in a different country than issued the visa with an itinerary that doesn’t match what was issued, you can have serious penalties imposed. It is not worth the risk; better to simply plan ahead and book your appointment early.

*Coming Soon - European Union Entry/Exit System (EES)

A new system is expected to roll out across European countries starting in October 2025. This is an automated system to register visitors who are not EU nationals each time they enter or exit from member countries’ borders. Registration will include the visitor’s name, type of passport or travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and the date and place of entry and exit. The intention is to capture information more reliably and efficiently than the previous stamping of passports and will automatically track duration of stay. Visitors who overstay the maximum duration of visit permitted (90 days out of a 180-day period) will be more easily identified and will face serious consequences. This would apply to all visitors, visa holders and visa-free.

*Coming Soon - European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Visa Exempt Travelers expected to require travel authorization from in the last quarter of 2026

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is currently not in operation and no applications are required at this point for visa exempt travelers to make short visits to this region.