I'm considering spending 4-6 months in Italy, Switzerland, and France. Where should I apply for a visa? How long in advance of my travel should I apply? Another possibility I am considering is to arrive in Ireland, then spend a month or so in Ireland and England/Scotland (probably October). I would then spend 90 days in Italy and France and return to England for a few more weeks before flying home. Would this work? Or am I making too much of a big deal out of simply getting the visa so I can travel more spontaneously?
Posted by
Scotland
505 posts
Greetings
US citizens don't need a visa for the Schengen Union unless you are staying more than three months or working or a student. Even if you can apply on the spot for an extended visa, I would do it before you leave so you don't end up a sticky situation if some big security scare occurs and they are being ultra-thorough or you are missing paperwork. Generally you need to prove that you have enough funds for room/board/medical/personal needs for the whole trip etc., and it's much easier to get together the paperwork and sort it all out before you leave the US. You would apply at the embassy/consulate of the first Schengen Country you will be visiting
If you are thinking of visiting the UK, it might make you life easy just to break up the trip so your Schengen Union trip is 3 months or less. You can be in the UK up to 6 months. Again, make sure to budget well -UK/IR/SW are quite expensive and make sure to have bank statements and the like to prove that you have funds.
Kate
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Swan, check eurovisa.info. Keep in mind that starting next year Switzerland will become part of the Schengen-zone.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Out of curiosity I was going thru the fine print for visas to Schengen for extended stays. It clearly states that citizens of the following countries don't need to apply for extended (i.e. more then 90 days) stays visas prior to entering Schengen. You can get on-the-spot authorizations/titles: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the US of A.