Schengen Visa for Citizens of the United States: Enter with Ease

Disclaimer: This visa system is expected to be fully operational by November 2023.

Do you want to travel to the Schengen Area? For some U.S. citizens, it is mandatory to apply for the Schengen visa according to some rules we will be learning below. If you are interested in traveling but don’t know if you need this travel document, don't worry! iVisa is here for you.

For those who must apply, this procedure sounds very tedious and time-consuming, but thanks to iVisa, it is not anymore. Nowadays, it is exceptionally user-friendly for anyone who wishes to travel.

Just follow our online steps and wait comfortably at home while our iVisa experts take care of your travel document.

To learn more about this process, continue reading this article.

Get Your Schengen Visa Application Online Now!

The United States has established a visa waiver regime. Therefore, U.S. passport holders do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Zone. However, not all U.S. residents may enter Europe without a visa.

U.S. passport holders who have been refused entry into Europe at any time, and third-country nationals, who are required to obtain a visa for Europe living in the United States. They will need to apply for a Schengen Visa.

Similarly, US green card holders, who are also nationals of third countries that have not established a visa waiver regime with the EU, will have to obtain a Schengen visa.

What is the Schengen Visa for the US?

To travel to the Schengen area, you must have a Schengen Visa in order to enter. This visa is required by the countries that belong to this region. You can stay in the zone for only 90 days within a 180-day period with your Schengen Visa, but the validity of your visa depends on the time frame you choose when applying.

What countries are part of the Schengen Area?

These are the countries you can visit with your Schengen Visa:

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

What countries are eligible for the Schengen Visa?

The following countries need to apply for the Schengen Visa. These are:

If you are a citizen of a country with an agreement with the Schengen Area, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, you will need to apply for an ETIAS, starting from November 2023.

Document requirements for the Schengen Visa for The US Citizens

To obtain the Schengen Visa, you need to upload the following documents:

• Valid passport - Your travel document must have been issued within the last 10 years and must be valid for more than 3 months before traveling. Also, you need to have at least two blank pages.
• Copies of older visas – For countries like the UK and the US, it is essential to know if you already have a visa.
• Digital Photo - The photo size must meet the requirements of the visa regulations, have a white background, and no accessories or sunglasses. If you don't have a recent digital passport photo, we also provide a passport photo service.
• Proof of financial means – You need to prove you have sufficient funds for your stay and travel around the region.
• Travel medical insurance - You must have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for illness, COVID-19, or accidents.
• Other Information - You need to present a round-trip air ticket and accommodation information.
• A valid email address - You will receive your travel document via your current email.
• A credit or debit card - iVisa accepts all major credit and debit cards.

What are the different types of Schengen visas?

The Schengen visa, by nature, is a short-stay travel document. Therefore, it is intended for tourists who want to visit the countries of the Schengen Zone for a limited amount of time. Those interested in staying in the country for an extended period to work or study will need to obtain a different type of visa from the authorities of that country.

When applying for this type of visa, you should know that there are different types depending on your travel needs. Some of the types of visas include:

• Type A visas - These are also known as airport transit visas and allow the bearer to stay in the international area of an airport in the Schengen area without leaving the immigration area.
• Type C visas - Short-stay visas allow the holder to stay for up to 90 days per semester in the entire Schengen area. These are the most popular types of visas.

Type C visas, on the other hand, are subdivided into three types:

• Single-entry - You can travel on a single occasion during the visa's validity period.
• Double entry - You can travel twice before the visa expires.
• Multiple entries - You may travel the Schengen Zone as many times as you want for a maximum of 90 days without exceeding the limit of 180 days. You can calculate the total number of days by adding the duration of each stay. On the other hand, there are also visas with limited territorial validity, but they are less common. This is a very rare type of visa that is issued in exceptional cases, for example, for humanitarian purposes.

In this case, there are two types of visas:

• Type B visas - The Schengen visa is also known as a transit visa. It authorizes the holder to enter and move within the Schengen area.
• Type D visas - Long-stay visas are also known as residence permits. These documents authorize the holder to reside, study or work in the Schengen area for a period of more than 90 days. Like type C, it may be a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

How do I apply for the Schengen Visa with iVisa?

You can apply for the Schengen visa at iVisa quickly; just follow these steps:

• Step 1: Once you have completed the form, select the Schengen Visa processing time.
• Step 2: Before you submit your form, make sure all the information is correct. Then select the payment method.
• Step 3: After you have paid for your visa, please submit the form and provide all the necessary documents to process it.

After you have applied to iVisa, we will email you to confirm the application has been received. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder.

What are the costs and processing times of the Schengen Visa?

The process to obtain the Schengen visa usually takes approximately 15 to 20 days. However, with iVisa, you could get your travel document in less time with these options:

• Standard Processing Time: If you are not in a hurry to get your visa and can wait longer, this option is ideal.
• Rush Processing Time: This option is faster, and you can process your visa in less time, so if you want to travel soon or if you like to be prepared, this is the right option for you.
• Super Rush Processing Time: If you need to make an urgent trip, this option is easier and faster to get your visa.

Do minors need a Schengen Visa?

Minor children may also need a Schengen Visa. However, the parents must process the visas. In addition, you will need the child's birth certificate, a copy of both parents' passports, and a notarized letter signed by the parents or the tutor if the child is traveling alone.

Best time to visit the Schengen area

Are you ready to travel to an incredible destination in the Schengen Zone? The first thing to think about is when to travel. Autumn and spring are the preferred times to travel to these countries due to their warm and refreshing weather to visit tourist attractions.

One destination you should visit is Prague in the Czech Republic.

This destination is an architectural metropolis on the banks of the great Vltava River. It is recognized worldwide as one of Europe's most outstanding cultural attractions. It is here where you can enjoy world-class film and music festivals and attend the National Ballet Theater and the National Theater of Prague.

Prague has a spectacular historic center with colorful architectural facades inspired by baroque art, as well as churches in Gothic style and the medieval Astronomical Clock, the most famous in the world. You can also visit the pedestrian Charles Bridge, surrounded by statues of Catholic saints.

Prague enjoys its four seasons during the year, though its climate is extreme in winter and summer. Therefore, the best time to visit is in autumn and spring, as mentioned earlier, when the weather is mild.

COVID-19 requirements or restrictions

Each country can decide whether or not to allow entry to the EU based on COVID-19 recommendations. It is wise for travelers to check entry requirements before traveling; all travelers should research visa requirements for the country of their choice.

When you travel, it is crucial to get vaccinated so that you don't risk getting sick in a different country where medical care may be limited.

The European Medical Agency (EMA) has approved five vaccines: Comirnaty, Spikevax, Vaxzevria, and Janssen. It has also agreed to authorize the entry of travelers with emergency vaccines used by the World Health Organization, such as Covishield and Sinopharm.

Please note that countries in this region use a different system for identifying high-risk areas. Therefore, we recommend avoiding all travel unless necessary for your trip.

Where can I contact you?

For any doubts about the Schengen Visa, you can have a private chat with one of our experts from the customer service team, or you can write to us at [email protected]. They will be happy to assist anytime you need it.