Travel to Europe

[Casprd 167]

Has anyone gone through the process of travelling to europe after their SO became an LPR in the US? My wife is from China and we were hoping to take a vacation to Greece in the spring before she starts working but the Schengen visa requirements seem pretty restrictive. I didn't see anything about a foreign LPR with a US spouse so I'm hoping there is a different and easier set of requirements. Appreciate any info from those who have travelled to europe recently

[Brit Abroad 166]

Whatever nationality the spouse is determines what kind of visa they need to visit other countries.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Brit Abroad

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Yep, citizenship/ passport determines visa requirements. No doubt someone who has strong ties to the US (ie is an LPR) has a slightly easier time at the interview, but they still need to pay the fees, fill the paperwork and go through the same process as if they'd live in China.

[Sam and Fen 41]

If you are only going to Greece take a look at the requirements for just a Greece visa if possible.

Please be careful as Greece has a lot of social unrest because of their debt crisis.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Greece is an excellent vacation destination, now more than ever, and I'm saying that without any sarcasm. It's on my wife's and my shortlist for our Europe trip on our 6th wedding anniversary in August of next year.

[Casprd 167]

Yeah Greece has been on my list for a while. Hopefully getting the visa will be more of a proforma thing since she will be an LPR with a US spouse. I had hoped it would be fairly routine but the requirements for any Schengen country are pretty harsh. Maybe we'll stick to asia and the caribbean

[Darnell 8,479]

I seem to remember that IF you can get her into a Shengen country without a visa, then can apply for Shengen visa in that country, then transit out.

Which country was it? I'm scratching my head - Sweden? Switzerland? The Netherlands/Benelux? Whichever one it was, was either

-no visa required for entry or

-getting tourist visa for PRC person (WITH A GREEN CARD) was dead easy.

[Casprd 167]

ahh good idea. I knew that travelling between Schengen countries is easy. Hadn't thought about finding an easy entry point.

[TBoneTX 46,167]

Also, if your flights connect in another country's airport, a visa (transit or other) may be required just for that, too. Others can comment with more authority.

[missicy 87]

As a Chinese citizen, she will need a Schengen visa to enter any state in the Schengen Area. If her main destination is Greece, she has to apply for the visa at Greece embassy. Once she enters Schegen area, she can travel between Schengen countries as long as the conditions for entry are still fulfilled.

[Casprd 167]

I understand that I need a Schengen visa. The original questin is asking if anyone who is a USC with a LPR spouse done this and what is the process for their spouse.

[Used to be broken 147]

Has anyone gone through the process of travelling to europe after their SO became an LPR in the US? My wife is from China and we were hoping to take a vacation to Greece in the spring before she starts working but the Schengen visa requirements seem pretty restrictive. I didn't see anything about a foreign LPR with a US spouse so I'm hoping there is a different and easier set of requirements. Appreciate any info from those who have travelled to europe recently

Apply at the German Embassy in the US, they give quick hassle free service. You fill out the forms, turn them in and Its up or down yes or no, and quick answer

Edited June 15, 2011 by brokenfamily

[Casprd 167]

Thanks. that is what I was looking for

[missicy 87]

I understand that I need a Schengen visa. The original questin is asking if anyone who is a USC with a LPR spouse done this and what is the process for their spouse.

She is still a Chinese citizen so the process is the same as if she still lived in China. Being a resident of the US won't make any difference in the process. Like I said, if her main destination is Greece, then she is supposed to apply at a Greece embassy.