Schengen Visa
What is a Visa?
A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country into a passport that makes it possible for the bearer to visit that foreign country. In some cases U.S. citizens must apply to a foreign embassy or consulate in the U.S. for a visa in advance of travel. In other cases, the visa is stamped into the passport upon entry into the foreign country.
The 1995 "Schengen Agreement" defines travel regulations within Europe. Part of the agreement states that passports do not have to be presented when crossing borders between the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic*, Denmark, Estonia*, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary*, Iceland, Italy, Latvia*, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malta*, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland*, Portugal, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. A passport will need to be shown in order to enter the Schengen area initially.
*Land crossings only; border checks at airports are scheduled to continue through March 2008).
Schengen Visa vs. National Visa
A Schengen Visa gives tourists access to the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days.
A National Visa gives access to students (and other categories of visitors who are not tourists) to a particular country or countries for the purpose of studying PLUS access to all other Schengen countries for the purpose of touring.
Who does/doesn't need a visa?
90 days or fewer (Schengen Visa)
U.S. citizens who plan to remain in the Schengen area for 90 or fewer days do not need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance; U.S. citizens are granted this visa upon arrival into the first Schengen country. U.S. Permanent Residents who do not have a passport from their home country must apply for the Schengen visa. The 90-day limit is not "per country." This limit applies to all travel within the Schengen area.
91+ days (National Visa)
U.S. citizens who plan to remain either entirely in one Schengen country or in a combination of Schengen countries for 91 days or more and who plan to study (or participate in some other specific activity other than touring) must apply for a National visa.
No one may apply to tour in the Schengen area for 91+ days. Visitors who plan to be in the Schengen area for 91+ days must have a specific purpose (like study or work) and must apply for a National Visa under the appropriate category.
U.S. Permanent Residents
U.S. Permanent Residents who do not have a passport from their home country must request U.S. Travel Documents in in order to apply for a visa. Check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Nebraska Service Center web site to find out how long it is currently taking to process Travel Documents.
Nationals of Countries other than the U.S.
Other nationals should check the Consulate General of Spain in Chicago's web site for more information on who does/doesn't require a visa.
If you need a visa, you must apply for your visa through the Consulate of the country which is your main destination. If you have no main destination, you must apply through the country where you will be staying the longest. If you will stay in all countries for the same amount of time, you must apply through the country you will enter first.
If you have a Schengen visa, you may travel in the Schengen area after studying abroad. However, be sure to check the allowable duration of stay (probably stamped into your passport when you entered the Schengen area initially) for the date by which you must depart the Schengen area.
If you don't have a Schengen visa, you may travel in the Schengen area as long as the total amount of time you spend in this area, including your study abroad experience, does not exceed 90 days.
Historically, Americans wishing to avoid applying for a visa in European countries would enter on the visa waiver program, leave the country within 90 days (the maximum amount of time allowed without a visa), and re-enter to start the 90-day visa waiver period again.
Currently (as of Aug 2008), U.S. citizens can legally be in the Schengen Zone for only 90 days of continuous travel out of any six-month period. In order to start the 90-day visa waiver period over again, you would have to be outside of the Schengen Zone for three months before returning.
- Print the Schengen Visa Application form using BLACK ink. Print your answers on the form. Sign the form in blue ink.
- Applications which are illegible will not be accepted.
- Follow the application instructions on the web site of the country to which you plan to apply for your visa. Although there is only one Schengen visa, there are as many different application processes and sets of requirements as there are Schengen countries.
- If you need to include a photocopy for proof of residence and you live in Wisconsin, use an official photo ID which lists your name and address, including the state. If you are not a permanent resident of Wisconsin, you may still typically apply through the Consulate serving Wisconsin by proving that you are a student at UW Oshkosh. In this case, supply a photocopy of your student ID and official enrollment verification, obtainable from Titan Web (to obtain a Certificate of Enrollment, logon to Titan Web and follow these "breadcrumbs": Home_SA Self Service_Obtain Enrollment Certificate_Use_Obtain Enrollment Certificate. Read the instructions on the page and click on the National Student Clearinghouse link. Print the certificate.)
- Proof of medical/accidental insurance with international coverage is available from the OIE if you are traveling on a UW Oshkosh-sponsored program.
Consulates and Additional Information
Consulate General of Spain in Chicago
scroll down to "national visas" and follow these directions if you plan to be in Spain for 90+ days as a student
U.S. State Department
Schengen fact sheet
This page was last updated on: October 19, 2011