There has been mention of visa requirements for travel to Europe. We have a trip to Italy and France planned for July this year. What is the latest, most accurate news about visas?
Do you live in the US? Then all you need is a valid passport, no visa required.
The European Commission voted against that on May 2.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/world/europe/eu-visas-united-states.html?_r=0
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/americans-visa-europe
I am glad for that voting result. It saves the trouble (and money too) of getting a visa, unlike in 1987 when a visa was imposed on going to France, which I got then at the French Consulate in SF.
If you have US passport you don't need visa for stay up to 90 days. It does not matter where you live as long as you have US Passport. It's not enough to live in the US and have let's say Colombian passport. There was some wishful talk about imposing visa on Americans because some citizens of certain EU countries still need visa to visit USA. But it was clear to many of us that it will go nowhere which it already happened (see the links on previous post by Lola).
Assuming that you are a US resident, your better source of foreign travel and visa requirement information is the US State Department rather than this forum:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html
Specifically,
For Italy: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/italy.html
PASSPORT VALIDITY: Must have at least six months vaidity beyond your
planned date of departure from the Schengen area.TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays under 90 days
For france: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/france.html
PASSPORT VALIDITY: Must be valid for at least three months beyond your
planned date of departure from the Schengen area.TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays under 90 days
State Department website will also give more specific advice such as:
The Government of France does not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency
passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid
travel document for visa-free travel, and, if traveling on this
emergency passport, you may be refused boarding and/or entry by
immigration officials.You may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist and business
purposes without a visa.Immigration officers may also request you show sufficient funds for
your intended stay and a return airline ticket.