Schengen, specifics?

Question

I'm sure this question gets asked all the time, but I'm lousy at googling and I keep getting contradictory info every time I click a new link. So, what's the deal with Schengen?

The way I understand it, I can stay in the Schengen countries for a total of 90 days - 10 days here, 3 days there, doesn't matter as long as it doesn't exceed 90 days? And then, when the 90 days is up, can I leave Schengen for a day and then come back in for another 90, or do I need to be in non-Schengen territory for 90 days and then I can come back in? That's the bit that nobody gives the same answer to twice, it seems :(

And, do I need to apply for a Schengen visa, or will my passport just get stamped as I cross between Schengen/non-Schengen countries? Any info would be really really really appreciated!

Answer 1

Check out this link:

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/schengenvi...

Based on the username, I guess you are from the US? That would mean you are exempted from the visa for the short 90-days stay.

Not sure about the leaving Schengen area and returning, but I would expect it should work exactly as you described, so you can come back for another 90 days after leaving the area for a day or two.

Answer 2

For answering that question we first should know what country you are coming from respectively what nationality you are.

@ rebelpho and blabla

Are we here to do furtune-telling or to give reliable answers to serious questions??

That's the way Yahoo Answers is going down more and more.

Answer 3

Ok, so if you are American (or some other nationalities also) then you do not need a Schengen visa to visit the Schengen zone countries, as you fall under the Visa Waiver Program and so can travel without getting any kind of visa.  You can read more about this here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver...

If you hold a different passport, then you may indeed have to obtain a Schengen visa.  If this is the case then you need to make the application at your local embassy.  If you plan to travel to multiple countries in the Schengen zone then you should apply at the embassy of the country which is planned to be your main destination (most time spent).  If this is not known, then the first country to which you enter the Schengen zone

You can stay in the Schengen zone up to 90 days and move around freely (as long as your Schengen zone allows this ie is not just a transit visa, and does not have any restrictions on countries which you can/cannot visit as indicated on the first line of the visa)

If you obtain a single entry Schengen visa then you can stay up to 90 days, but once you exit you cannot enter again.  A multi-entry visa allows you to exit and re-enter - but still up to a max days spent (in the Schengen zone) of 90 days.  e.g. say you spend 85 days in France and then go to the UK for 10 days (UK not being in the Schengen zone) and then return to France, you still have 5 more days left to spend before you must return home (the 10 days in the UK not counting against your allowance

Concerning re-applying and the 90 days - yes 90 days is the max for a Schengen (tourist) visa.  Then you have to return home before re-applying.  You can only have a Schengen visa for 90 days out of 180, so must wait for a further 90 days before you can re-apply.  You cannot just leave the Schengen zone for 1 day, re-apply and re-enter - that won't work!

So do you need a Schengen visa?  Well that depends on the passport you hold.

You can read lots more about the visa here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_ar... but hopefully this answers your questions simply :0)

EDIT

@LaFeeFan - excuse me??  You replied wirth a question.  I replied with an answer covering both eventualities and supported my answer by citing sources.  For someone who has only been in Y!A less than 2 months, are you really in a position to dictate if Y!A is going down.

If any of my answer is incorrect - then state it or better still Email me.  I have never been rude to you so please show some respect & don't be so personal to me and others!  Questions are open to everyone to answer btw.

EDIT - to the asker, ok if you are Canadian, then you fall under the Visa Waiver program so you do not need a visa e.g. you can see confirmation of this with the Dutch foreign affairs site http://www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/comingt...

Answer 4

To travel in the Schengen countries you can stay 90 days in a 6 month period.

Got it ? - good :-)

In case you want to know more go here:

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/...