For some, traveling is easy. You buy a ticket, and that is it. For others, traveling includes applications and processes that are often confusing and time-consuming, in particular when it comes to traveling to Europe.

If you are living in the United States, and you do not know what procedures you should follow to enter Europe, this article will make it clear to you.

Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Go to Europe?

Currently, US citizens do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe. However, they will need to apply for an ETIAS starting November, 2023, in order to be permitted to enter any of the Schengen states. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System and is quite similar to the American ESTA.

You will have to apply for a Schengen visa from the US prior to your trip if you belong to any of the following categories:

• You have been rejected visa-free entry in Europe despite being:
  • A US passport holder
  • A passport holder of one of the countries that have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area
• You are a national of one of the countries that have not established a visa-free regime with the Schengen states yet

Please keep in mind that you will be able to get a Schengen visa from the US only if you you are a Green Card holder. In case you are there on a visa, you will not be able to apply for a Schengen Visa. Instead, you will have to go to your country of residence in order to be able to apply.

When Should I Submit the Schengen Visa Application From the United States?

You cannot just file your visa application whenever you want to. The earliest you can submit your Schengen visa application is three months prior to your trip to this region. The latest you can do so is two months prior to the date of your planned trip.

However, the most advisable time to file your application is three weeks prior to your trip to the Schengen zone.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa From USA?

Though it might sound like tons of work and requirements; in fact, applying for a Schengen visa from the US is simple, especially if you fulfill the eligibility criteria. As a start, in order to get your application ready, you need to figure out a couple of things as:

1. Choose the type of Schengen visa that you need.
2. Determine where to file your application.
3. Fill the Schengen Visa Application form.
4. Book an appointment.
5. Collect the required documents.
6. Show up at the appointment.

Types of Schengen visas available for applicants in USA

Applicants from the United States can apply for the following visas, depending on the purpose of visiting the Schengen countries:

• Tourist Schengen visa.
• Transit Schengen visa.
• Business Schengen visa.
• Visitor Schengen visa.
• Cultural Schengen visa.
• Medical treatment Schengen visa.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in United States?

Just because the Schengen states have a common visa policy, it does not mean you can file your visa application at whichever Schengen embassy in the United States.  There are strict rules on where an applicant shall file their application. Before you schedule an appointment, decide:

• How many Schengen countries will you visit?
• If you are planning to visit more than one country:
  • How much you will remain in each?
  • In which country will you step first?

Visiting one country in Europe

If you are going to visit only one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country in the United States. For example if you want to visit France, you should submit your application at the nearest French mission (Embassy or Consulate).

Visiting more than one country in Europe

On the other hand, if you will be visiting more than one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country in which you will spend most days. If you plan on spending equal time in all the countries that you will visit, then you should apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will land first.

Choosing the mission that processes visa applications

In addition, depending on how your destination country has regulated visa submission, you may have to submit your application at their:

• Embassy.
• Consulate.
• Visa Center.
• Embassy/consulate/visa center of another Schengen country to which your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Aside from that, in the US, each embassy and each consulate have their own jurisdiction area. This means that where you need to file your application also depends on the jurisdiction area under which you fall.

Fill in the Schengen visa application form

After determining where to apply, you can download the Schengen visa application form from the Embassy/Consulate website. It is free of charge, so you need to make sure not to get scammed by paying for it.

You will have to answer questions for basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, passport number, and nationality; and questions regarding your trip, such as where will you stay, for how long etc.

Book an appointment

After completing the application form you will have to book an appointment with the embassy or consulate in the United States that will handle your application.

Collect the required documents

Here are the documents that you need to submit to apply for a Schengen visa from the USA:

• Schengen Visa Application Form. The form is the same for all countries in Schengen. Fulfill the form with correct information and print it twice. Sign both copies at the end.
• Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for another three months beyond the date you plan to leave the area. It must not be older than ten years and have at least two blank pages.
• Two identical photos. It must not be older than 3 months and fulfill the requirements for a Schengen visa photo.
• Schengen Travel Health Insurance for Europe. In the minimum amount of €30,000, that covers any medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death.
• Proof of Accommodation. You must submit documents through which you prove where you will be staying throughout your time in the Schengen states. That could be:
  • a hotel booking,
  • a letter of invitation, or
  • a rent agreement.
• Flight Itinerary. A document through which you prove you have a saved seat in your flight from the United States to Europe. It also contains the dates you enter and leave Schengen.
• Cover Letter. A letter in which you explain your whole trip in details, what you will be doing, the places you will be visiting, etc.
• Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have the means to support yourself throughout your whole trip in the Schengen Area.

Depending on your employment status you will have to submit the following documents:

• If you are an employee, you need to submit:
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Employment contract.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
• If you are self-employed, you need to submit:
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR).
• If you are retired, you need to submit:
  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
• If you are studying at a US university, you need to submit:
  • Proof of enrollment.
  • No objection letter from School or University in the US.
• If you are unemployed and married to a US citizen, you need to submit:
  • Your spouse’s Confirmation of Employment. This document should be issued by the employer of your spouse and must indicate details as the position held by your spouse within the company, as well as the starting date.
  • Spouse’s valid passport.
  • An officially translated marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, translation is required. This translation must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in US. In case this Certificate was issued outside the EU, it must bear a stamp by the Foreign Office of the issuing country, or its Embassy in the US.

In addition, you will have to gather specific documents depending on the purpose of your visit.

Remember that despite the fact the Schengen states have a common visa policy, some of the countries may have extra requirements.

Show up at the appointment

Every applicant must show up at the appointment on time, and cannot send someone over to attend the interview on their behalf. Underage applicants must be accompanied by their mother/father/legal guardian.

Providing the documents

At the appointment you will have to submit the file of documents that you have collected to support your application. The visa official will go through your file to make sure that you can proceed with the interview.

Biometrics

If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to submit your biometrics. You will have your fingerprints and facial image taken.

The visa interview

The interview lasts around ten minutes. Throughout this time, you will have to answer the questions the visa interviewer asks.

They will ask you about your background, the reasons why you wish to visit the Schengen Zone and other questions related to your trip.

Verifying the details

After the interview, the information that you provided will be entered into the online system and you will receive a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you get the printed form, you should verify that all the details are correct and sign the form.

Pay the application fee

The fees for a Schengen visa are the same, no matter where you are applying from. Currently, the fee for a Schengen visa for adults is $69 and $40 for children under 12. Children below the age of 6, are exempt.

In addition, there are categories of people who are exempt from paying the fee, or who only have to pay a lower fee.

Keep in mind that in case of visa rejection or application withdrawal you will not be able to get your money back.

In Case of Schengen Visa Denial

In case you have your Schengen visa application from the United States denied, you can always reapply by fixing the mistakes made during your application. When you get the news on visa denial, the embassy will also provide you with reasons why you were rejected from getting a visa.

You can also appeal the decision by writing a visa rejection appeal letter.

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Depending on the policy you choose, travel insurance can also protect you from losses due to trip disruptions, such as a delayed flight, if you need to cut the trip short, or personal liability.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Schengen Visa?

Yes, if you need a visa to travel to Europe, then you will have to get travel insurance because it is a mandatory part of the visa application process. Simply said, if you do not have a valid insurance policy, then the Embassy will automatically reject your request for a visa.

On the other hand, if you do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area, then it is not strictly necessary to be insured (although it is still highly recommended!).

Also read: List of countries that require travel insurance.

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements

The Schengen visa travel insurance plan must meet these requirements:

• It should cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
• It should be valid in all 27 countries in the Schengen Zone.
• It should be valid for the entire duration of time you are in Europe.

Luckily, because it is required at Embassies for the visa application, most insurance companies offer policies designed specifically to meet these requirements.

Companies such as Europ Assistance and MondialCare offer travel insurance certificate that is required by Embassies when applying for a Schengen visa.

Proof of Purchased Health Insurance for Schengen Visa

When you apply for a visa, the Embassy will ask to see proof of purchased Schengen travel insurance. This usually goes by the name of “travel insurance certificate” and your insurance company will give it to you when you subscribe to one of their plans.

If the Embassy you apply to has certain specific requirements about the insurance certificate, then just contact your insurance company and they will most likely give you a certificate suited to your situation.

What Should the Schengen Travel Insurance Plan Cover?

Make sure your plan covers:

• Cost of medical treatment. This includes:
  • In-patient and out-patient medical treatment.
  • Doctor visits.
  • Hospitalization.
  • Surgery.
  • Prescription medication.
  • Emergency dental care.
• Cost of repatriation or evacuation. If you become gravely ill or get into a serious accident which requires medical attention from your home country, then travel insurance covers the cost of repatriation. It also covers repatriation in the event of death.

This is what a basic policy has to cover to be valid for a visa application. However, some insurance companies also offer additional, more comprehensive coverage, such as insurance for your trip or liability.

What Other Liabilities Are Covered in My Travel Insurance Policy?

Other than the basic Schengen travel health insurance (for medical and repatriation costs), some insurance companies will also cover other liabilities and risks associated with the trip, such as:

• Assistance in the event of illness. For example, if you get sick, the insurance company pays for someone to travel to be with you (their flight ticket, hotel stay, etc).
• Trip cancellation. If you need to cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances, then the insurance policy will reimburse some of your prepaid expenses.
• Flight delay. If your flight is delayed, the insurance company will cover food and accommodation expenses as you wait for another flight, but only for long delays.
• Loss/theft of baggage. If your baggage is damaged, lost or stolen (through no fault of your own) the insurance company
• Personal liability abroad. If you cause personal injuries to someone or property damage while you are in Europe, the insurance company covers some of the cost.

What Does Schengen Insurance Not Cover?

In most cases, you will not have travel insurance coverage in the following situations:

• If you need medical treatment due to a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, cancer, or any lingering previous injuries.
• Medical treatment that is not an emergency.
• If you need medical attention as a result of intoxication (alcohol or drug consumption).
• If you need medical attention because you took part in adventurous or extreme sports, such as bungee jumping, motor racing, etc.
• If you need medical attention as a result of a natural disaster.
• If you have travelled to an area that is considered high risk (there is conflict, political unrest, an epidemic, etc).

What Are the Companies Offering the Best Schengen Visa Insurance?

Here is a list of companies offering the best travel insurance for Schengen Visa:

• Europ Assistance.
• MondialCare.
• Insubuy.
• AXA Schengen.
• Dr-WALTER.
• Bupa.
• Allianz.

How To Buy Schengen Visa Insurance?

Most insurance companies operate online, so you can simply purchase a travel insurance plan directly from their website. To purchase one, visit the company website, look for the “Get a Quote” or “Start Now” button, and:

1. Complete the online application form. You have to give your name, nationality, age, destination, and the dates of travel.
2. Select which plan you want. There is usually more than one plan available. You can read the benefits of each plan to find one suited to your needs. For example, if you purchase through Europ Assistance one of the leading insurance companies, there are two available policies you can subscribe to.
3. Make the payment. You can usually pay by a credit/debit card or through PayPal. The cost of the insurance plan depends on the information you provided (age, length of trip) as well as the plan you chose.
4. Download and print the Insurance Certificate. You need this to hand in to the Embassy when you apply for a visa. It will be in PDF format.

Other options

Even though purchasing travel insurance online is the easiest and most convenient option, there are other methods as well:

• Through a local insurance company. You can just visit the offices of an insurance company in your country, request a Schengen insurance policy, and purchase one.
• Through your tour agency. If you will visit Europe via an organized tour, the agency may offer you a complimentary insurance policy added to the overall price. Be mindful of these offers, because they may inflate the price of the policy and not give you adequate coverage. If you have the option, always read the policy beforehand – and if you don’t like it, see if you can opt-out.

How Do I Get Schengen Visa Insurance From the USA?

If you are from the USA, you can get travel insurance for your trip to Europe in the same way as everyone else – by purchasing a plan online. Companies like Europe Assistance or MondialCare make it possible to subscribe to travel insurance through their website and get the Insurance Certificate as a downloadable, printable, electronic file. If you need a visa, you can just submit this Certificate to the Embassy.

How Exactly Does Travel Medical Insurance Work?

Travel health insurance protects you from financial losses as a result of medical emergencies while you are visiting Europe. If you have a valid insurance policy during your trip, then when you seek medical attention, the insurance company will take over the costs. There are two ways it usually works:

1. The hospital sends the bill directly to the insurance company. You do not need to pay anything upfront.
2. You pay the bill yourself, then make a claim with the insurance company to reimburse you. Make sure to save the bill you receive from the hospital.

If you are in an emergency situation, make sure to contact the assistance center as soon as you can so that they can help you or inform you on how to proceed.

How Much Does Schengen Medical Travel Insurance Cost?

There are three main factors which affect the price of your travel insurance policy:

1. Your age. The cost of the insurance policy increases along with your age. For example, older individuals (especially over the age of 60) have to pay higher premiums for the same insurance plan than someone who is younger.
2. The duration of your trip. Usually, insurance companies calculate the cost of the policy on a daily basis. So, the longer you plan to stay in Schengen, the higher the price of your policy.
3. The maximum coverage limit. There are usually 2-3 insurance plans you can choose from, regardless of the insurance company. As such, the basic plan with health insurance coverage of up to €30,000 will be cheaper than the one with maximum coverage of up to €100,000 or more.

However, Schengen insurance is not usually too expensive in comparison to the overall price of the trip. For a one-week trip, in general, you would pay between €20 to €50, depending on the policy.

Should I Purchase Schengen Health Insurance If I Have Domestic Insurance?

Yes, you do. If you have domestic insurance (for example, you are an American citizen travelling within the US.), but you also plan to travel to Europe, then you will have to get a Schengen visa insurance plan to cover you abroad. Domestic insurance plans have coverage only within the country they were purchased in, and do not cover international travel.

Can I Get a Refund If My Schengen Visa Application Is Refused?

Many companies offer you a refund of your insurance policy if you do not receive a Schengen visa, but not all. Usually, you can learn whether or not you can get a refund by looking at the FAQ section on a company website, or by contacting them directly.

Does Schengen Medical Insurance Cover me for Countries That Are Not Part of the Schengen Area?

Usually, Schengen insurance is aimed only at the countries within the Schengen Area. However,  if you plan to travel somewhere outside the Schengen Zone, you can get an international travel insurance plan or an additional insurance plan aimed specifically at those countries.

Will I Get Covid-19 Coverage When Buying a Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?

If you get sick with Covid-19 while traveling, most travel insurance companies will cover your medical costs only if you follow the travel recommendation set by your country or the destination country, as well as those by the World Health Organization.

In other words, if you visit a place which has travel bans in place or a high number of Covid-19 infections, then you likely do not have coverage for coronavirus.

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What this means is: If you are in Ireland with a valid Irish visa and want to travel from there to the United Kingdom, you will not have to apply for a separate UK visa – you can enter the UK with your Ireland visa. Reciprocally, UK visa holders can enter Ireland without having to get an Irish visa.

The British-Irish Visa Scheme is a follow up of the Irish Visa Waiver Programme (see below), which allows certain UK visa holders to enter Ireland without a separate Irish visa.

However, the British-Irish Visa Scheme and the Irish Visa Waiver Programme are not available to all visa-required foreign nationals.

Who is eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS Visa)?

Only nationals of India and China, who are living in India and China respectively, are eligible for the BIVS Visa.

In addition:

• You can only utilize the British-Irish Visa Scheme if you hold a short stay visa for either country.
• Minors (under 18) can travel via the Scheme only if they are accompanied by an adult who is eligible.
• Your visa must have the coding “BIVS” for you to be allowed to use the Scheme.

UK visas eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS Visa)

You are eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme if you have one of the following UK visas:

• Any UK short-stay visitor visa which is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
• Permitted Paid Engagement visa

If you have a UK visa which allows you to stay in the country for longer than six months, you will not be allowed to use the British-Irish Visa Scheme.

This means that if you are an Indian or Chinese national who has a long-stay visa for the UK, such as Student Visa or Work Visa, you still need a separate visa to travel to Ireland.

Ireland visas eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS Visa)

You are eligible for the British-Irish Visa Scheme if you have one of the following Ireland visas:

• Any Irish short stay “C” visa (either single- or multiple-entry), with the purpose of:
  • Tourism
  • Visit (family/friends)
  • Business
  • Conference or event

How to apply for the BIVS Visa?

There is no specific BIVS visa application. You have to apply for the short-stay visa of the country in which you are travelling to first. Then, you can use your BIVS-endorsed visa to travel to the other country.

So, if you will travel to Ireland first and then the UK, you will need to apply for an Irish visa, and vice-versa.

As such, depending on the country you are travelling to first, follow the visa application process as described here:

• Ireland Visa application process
• UK Visa application process

Requirements for the BIVS Visa

Seeing as you have to apply for either an Ireland visa or a UK visa, the requirements for the visa differ depending on the country.

• See the requirements for an Ireland visa here.
• See the requirements for a UK visa here.

How long is the BIVS visa valid?

The validity of your BIVS-endorsed visa depends on the country who issued the visa and the country you are in.

For example, an Ireland short stay visa is only valid for a maximum of 90 days, whereas a UK short stay visa is valid for a maximum of 180 days.

Therefore, even if you have a UK visa valid for six months, once you enter Ireland, you cannot stay longer than 90 days.

Similarly, if you have an Ireland visa issued for 90 days and you spend half of those in Ireland before traveling to the UK, you can only stay in the UK for the number of days you have remaining on your Irish visa, no longer.

This means that regardless of how many valid days you have on your visa (either Irish or British), you will have to split them as you wish.

Additionally, you can travel between the countries without having to apply for a re-entry visa, provided that the visa you have is multiple-entry. If you have a single-entry visa, you cannot re-enter the country after you leave.

Irish Visa Waiver Programme

Through the Irish Visa Waiver Programme, nationals of certain countries (listed below) who are UK visa holders can enter Ireland without having to apply for a separate Irish visa.

The conditions of the Irish Visa Waiver Programme are:

• You must be a national and resident of one of the countries listed on the table below.
• You must have a valid UK short stay visa and Leave to Remain for up to 180 days.
• Your visit to Ireland must not be longer than the remaining days on your UK visa.
  • Additionally, a UK visa is valid for 180 days, whereas an Irish visa is valid for 90 days. You can only stay in Ireland for a maximum of 90 days, regardless of the validity of your UK visa. In any case, it is an Immigration Officer in the Ireland port of entry who decides how long you can stay.
• You can return home from either country, Ireland or the UK.

Keep in mind:

The Irish Visa Waiver Programme is not reciprocal, like the BIVS. You cannot travel to the UK with a valid Irish visa, even if you are from one of the eligible countries.

Who is eligible for the Irish Visa Waiver Programme?

You are only eligible to use the Irish Visa Waiver Programme if you are from one of the following countries:

You are not eligible for the Irish Visa Waiver Programme, even if you are from one of those countries, if:

• You are the holder of a UK long stay visa, such as a family reunification, student, or work visa.
• You have a UK Transit visa.
• You want to marry or enter a civil partnership.

How to apply for the Irish Visa Waiver Programme?

You cannot specifically apply for the Irish Visa Waiver Programme. You become eligible for the program if you are in one of the categories mentioned above and you obtain a short-stay UK visa.

Therefore, to be able to utilize the Irish Visa Waiver Programme, you will need to apply for a UK short stay visa, as described here.

Requirements of the Irish Visa Waiver Programme

As mentioned, there is no specific procedure through which you can apply for the Irish Visa Waiver Programme. To be able to use the program, you will have to apply for a UK short stay visa, therefore, you have to follow the UK visa requirements set by the British Government.

Using a UK visa to enter Ireland from a third country

You can only use the UK visa to enter Ireland from a third country (such as your home country) if:

• You have already entered the UK using the short stay visa at least once, before departing.
• Your UK leave to remain and short stay visa are still valid.

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