Sounds like there is a bit of a dispute underway between the EU and the US regarding visa requirements.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/03/europe/eu-america-visa-trnd/
Maybe somebody from the RS office can weigh in whether they think this is a real threat and whether travelers need to be thinking ahead.
Personally, I just think it's a lot of saber rattling. But I would be interested to know how anyone could "think ahead" or be proactive about a situation that may or may not develop. Without knowing the parameters of any change, there is nothing that can be done any differently.
It does sound like a negotiating ploy that hopefully resolves itself soon. On the other hand, you have to be concerned with the current administration's ability to act rationally on these kinds of matters.
Apparently there is such a thing as a Schengen Visa.
I had just read this on a Facebook page I follow and thought the same thing. I have no problem gettting one if we have to as long as it doesn't affect my trip later this month 😀
A non-binding statement of intention is barely even a first step toward making a change. And we agree that it's just a negotiating tactic. If an actual policy change is implemented after two months or more, you'll see much more in-depth news about it. Airlines would probably warn customers. And it would be in Europe's best interest to keep the process as simple as possible.
Other threads about this:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/eu-imposing-visas-on-us-travelers
Probably not going to happen.
Rick has now added a statement at http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/will-europe-require-visas/. It says, "Don't worry!"
Thanks Laura.
This issue might go down as one of the most over-hyped non-issue here in a long time. Not that the media hasn't added to the hype and that novice travelers get worried and don't know how these things work, but people need to calm down.
Sounds like another escalation in the Visa wars. Maybe the RS office can weigh in.
http://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2017/04/us_travel_policy_sparks_visa_w.html#incart_river_home
Not an escalation, just reporting a month later. Look at the date of the article referenced in the body of the story.....March 2.
You're right, Frank.
I swear they inserted the "last month" since the original version of story.
Never mind.
