The Schengen Visa

What is it?Who needs it?How do I get it?

Schengen Visa

What is it?Schengen is not a country but rather an

agreement. The name originates from a city in Luxembourg where 7 countries signed a treaty to eliminate border patrols between countries on 1985.

To date, thirty countries have signed the agreement.

Travel between Schengen countries is now similar to domestic travel here in the United States. Travelers may now pass through Schengen countries without multiple visas or border patrol hassles.

Schengen Visa

What is it?Schengen countries are often confused

with the European Union (EU). To date most, but not all, of the EU signed the agreement, except the UK and Ireland.

On the other hand, several non-EU countries have signed the agreement, such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Though many have signed the agreement, only 15 countries have implemented the agreement thus far.

Schengen Visa

Schengen Countries

AustriaBelgiumDenmarkFranceFinland

GermanyGreeceIceland

ItalyLuxembourg

the NetherlandsNorwayPortugalSpain

Sweden

Those countries are:

Who needs it?Check online through a consulate

website or ask Travel Services if you need a Schengen Visa.

Citizens from the USA, EU and many Asian countries do not require a visa. Most African countries do.

You can obtain documents online from any of the consulate’s website. Start at http://www.eurovisa.info/

Click here to visit the

web for a Schengen Visa

Who needs it?Nationals from the following countries do NOT require

Schengen Visas. Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia (including the Cocos Islands,

Norfolk Island, Christmas Island), Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France (including French Guyane, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, New Caledonia, Réunion, St Pierre and Miquelon), Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand (including the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau), Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain (including Spanish territories in North Africa with Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America (including Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico), Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and finally…United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Bermuda).

*As of February 2007. Please verify this claim with any of the Schengen Country consulates.

How to get itApply for the visa at the consulate

for the Schengen Country where you will either:

1) remain the longest or 2) will enter first.

Unfortunately, a Schengen Visa must be obtained in person by the traveler. A third party agency, such as CIBT, cannot apply on your behalf. You WILL need to contact the consulate in person and you may have to personally appear.

Schengen Visa

More InformationThis information was compiled by

Donna Christian for World Vision Travel Services and friends.

Sources include www.eurovisa.org

www.Wikipedia.org

If you have more questions, please contact the consulate of a

Schengen Country.Click here to visit

theweb for a

Schengen Visa