Getting European Visa for Green Card Holder

[Waitinggent 2]

I would like to travel to Europe with my wife, who is a conditional green card holder with a Ukrainian passport. Is this a difficult process? Must I travel to a city with a consulate in order to apply for a visa, or can this be done by mail? Can I get a Schengen visa so that we can travel to more than 1 country without getting a separate visa for each country? How would I do this? Thanks.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I guess the first question is, what country in Europe are you looking to go to? Each country will have its own visa restrictions.

Just like here in North America, you may not need a visit to visit Canada, but you may need one for the US

Good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I guess the first question is, what country in Europe are you looking to go to? Each country will have its own visa restrictions.

Just like here in North America, you may not need a visit to visit Canada, but you may need one for the US

Good luck

Not so. European Union nations use the Shengen visa which is valid for all EU countries. You should contact the consulate of the FIRST EU country you will arrive in. They usually have very good information on their websites. In most cases you can go to the consulate at certain designated times (The German consulate in Boston is from 9-12 every morning) and get the visa the same day. Once you enter the EU country you designated, you can go to any other EU country without a problem for the 90 days.

It is not a difficult process for a US permanent resident. There are some financial requirements which you should have no problem with and you have to show proof of health insurance OR buy a health insurance policy. It really is not difficult. The Shengen visa is valid for 90 days and they will make it to begin when you plan to arrive. If you do this by mail, it can take a few weeks. best, if you can, go to the consulate even if it is a few hours drive.

FYI for Canada she needs ONLY her green card, no need for the passport. Alla goes back and forth to Canada very often. Green card only.

If the country you plan to visit is NOT an EU country, there is a very good chance she will not need a visa OR can buy one at the POE, such as you can for Turkey, for example. She can visit ANY former Soviet Republic without a visa and most former communist countries (that haven't joined the EU) either without a visa or with a POE purchased visa. Check with individual countries' consulate websites if they are not EU.

[Neonred 3,562]

We did this two years ago for a trip to France and Italy. We had to make a personal appearance at the French consulate, which for us was Miami. Check the website for the country you will be entering first. For us it was France and we got the Schengen visa. Each country is a little different in their requirements, but the resulting visa is the same as long as that country is one of the 15 countries in the Schengen agreement. Last I knew the UK and Switzerland were two Western European countries that do not participate.

[DR AM 0]

We did this two years ago for a trip to France and Italy. We had to make a personal appearance at the French consulate, which for us was Miami. Check the website for the country you will be entering first. For us it was France and we got the Schengen visa. Each country is a little different in their requirements, but the resulting visa is the same as long as that country is one of the 15 countries in the Schengen agreement. Last I knew the UK and Switzerland were two Western European countries that do not participate.

Schengen visa is valid for Switzerland.

"All Schengen countries are in Europe. However, it should not be confused with the EU (European Union). Schengen and European Union are two different agreements between European countries. A total of 30 countries, including all European Union countries (except Ireland and United Kingdom) and three non-EU members (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) have signed the Schengen agreement. However, only 15 countries have implemented the common border control and visa provisions."

http://www.schengenvisa.cc/

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Also Norway which is not part of the EU

[elya 17]

You should contact the consulate of the FIRST EU country you will arrive in.

Or the country you will spend the most time in. (FYI if you're planning to go to multiple countries and are flexible with your itinerary you can plan these things strategically).

Must I travel to a city with a consulate in order to apply for a visa, or can this be done by mail?

Varies by country (ergo the strategic planning). About 7-8 years back did this with my ex, went to Germany and France, chose to spend an extra day in Germany to get our balance so that we could apply by mail, which the Germany embassy happened to allow at the time.

[Neonred 3,562]

OK. I do know that several Eastern European countries have also signed the agreement.

Make that UK and Ireland that are not.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

"Schengen Area"