Schengen visa question

There is no actual "Schengen visa", it's actually a "visa waiver" for citizens of the US. You only need a visa for longer stays than 90 days out of any 180. US passport holders can enter France without any additional paperwork and stay anywhere in the Schengen zone for a TOTAL of 90 days out of any 180. You seem to be quoting from something oriented toward students, and I'm not sure what they mean by saying you can travel "an additional 90 days". It is 90 total days in the Schengen zone, not 90 in one country and an additional 90 elsewhere in the zone. EDIT: I looked at the same website and I agree that it is written in a confusing way, telling you how to go about getting one before telling you who needs one. Further down the page, the question is asked "Do you need a visa for a tourist visit?" Under the list of countries that DO need a visa, there is this statement: "NO, if you hold a passport issued by a country NOT listed above, you do not need any visa to enter France for tourism, business or family visit." The US is not on this list, therefore no visa is required.

Nancy is right, as a tourist you have a total of 90 days in the Schengen zone. If in any 180 day period, you have exceeded that 90 days, you are in violation. There are no applications or paperwork. Your passport stamps serve as the main tracking. Though it is likely entry and departures are tracked in a database too. If you travel outside the Schengen zone, say to Great Britain, the 90 day clock stops while you are there (but not the 180 day clock).

You travel on a passport from the USA right? If that's the case, you don't need a visa as others have indicated above. Those who are nationals of other countries, traveling on a non-US passport may indeed need a visa (before my wife became a naturalized US citizen, we used to have to go through these hoops to get her a Schengen visa, and it was often a real PITA - she enjoys the benefits of a blue US passport now and it's definitely a lot easier).

Lee, that is actually what it says, and it's not right, I agree.

Thanks for all the info, it's very reassuring since I've only traveled to Paris for up to 2 weeks on previous trips. Per Ron's comment, I had done some prelim research last Fall and originally wanted to stay for a little more than 3 months. But the bureaucracy and hassle of getting a visa for that long was just too much. So I'll enjoy my 90-day stay and then come back again later!

Just be sure to get Ron's address so he can pay your fine if you are caught for overstaying your time. Sure, people have gotten away with over staying but you are taking a risk. And the penalty can be stiff including a ten year ban on returning. There was a posting on this site from a father whoes daughter was caught one day over and had to pay a 500E fine. She thought she was safe within a three month stay but three months is not 90 days unless you include February.

Frank, I'm only staying 90 days, as per the rule.

"I'll enjoy my 90-day stay and then come back again later!" However, you will have already used up your allotted time (90 days) for 180 days total, so you cannot come back again in the next 90 days. "can additionally travel to any other Schengen country(ies) for an extra 90 days" That's either too vague, or incorrect. The 90 days in 180 days applies to the entire Schengen zone, not just each country in Schengen. If you use up your 90 days in France, you can't be anywhere else in the Schengen zone for the next 90 days.

Holly, Frank was merely pointing out that Ron's post was extremely irresponsible and violates the rules here. I don't think he was specifically calling you out, just being sarcastic.

Holly, I'm the dad whose daughter (we have two living in Europe) overstayed her visa by three days, and was indeed fined 550 euros. Everything is computerized now, and they DO watch the times (although perhaps not so much in Spain?). How hard they come down on you really is up to the passport control officer you encounter. We have some good bad-experience stories from friends. Our own trips are 8-9 weeks per year, so we don't go over the limit when we visit our daughters.

Hi, Spend the 90 days there, come back for 3 months or so, then go back for the next time period allowed...that would be no problem.

Fred, That's what I'm planning on doing but I may not be able to afford to go back in 3 months. I'm retired and have to work one or two part-time jobs for a while in able to save up enough $$ to go back (I've been saving since last Oct to be able to afford my Fall 2012 trip), so maybe I'll return in Fall 2013? Thanks to everyone for their help and info!

And Nancy, thanks for reading further down the Atlanta French Embassy Website and alerting me to that info! I've printed out the info and will take it with me (just in case!). ;-)

Holly, That's what I mean...go back at the first chance you get when it is legally permissible as regards to Schengen and when you are financially able.