US citizens travelling to the Schengen region have a pretty straightforward process to follow. All they need is a valid blue passport, and they can travel to any Schengen country for a maximum period of 90 days. The best part? They don’t even require a Schengen Visa!

But if you are a US Green Card Holder or a US non-immigrant, then the scenario is somewhat different. A Schengen Visa becomes absolutely mandatory. To start the Visa Application process you must first have a passport, which will be valid for at least 3 more months after you return from your Schengen trip. If your passport does not have such a validity, then you must first apply for a new passport altogether.

Other secondary requirements to apply for a Schengen Visa depend upon your purpose of visit and length of stay. These factors will decide which embassy or consulate to apply at. If you plan to visit only one Schengen country, then you can directly visit the embassy of that country and submit your application. If your visit entails 2 or more countries, then you should visit the embassy where your stay is the longest. In case you are staying at all Schengen locations for equal number of days, then you should go to the embassy of the country where you will be entering first.

The time taken to process a Visa Application is not fixed. It varies depending on what citizenship you own. For example, the Visa process for an Indian resident in the US might be different from someone who hails from China or Japan. That is why it is a good idea to send your Visa Application Form 3 to 7 weeks prior to your intended date of travel.

Seasons also impact the application process times considerably. The trend has always seen peak travels during summer and winter, thus prolonging visa processing times at Schengen country embassies.

All Schengen Visas are issued for a maximum of 90 days. For any stay that is longer than this duration, you will need to apply for a Residence Permit. In such case, a Schengen Visa will not come into the picture.

There are a variety of documentation requirements for US Green Card Holders and Non-Immigrants. These typically include:

• Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages
• Green Card Registration or US Residence Visa
• Application form – one per person in case of family or travel groups
• Passport format photo, which is less than 3 months old
• Cover letter explaining your purpose of visit
• Round trip flight and travel itineraries
• Travel health insurance valuing a minimum coverage of € 30.000
• Proof of accommodation in the Schengen region
• Proof of financial support

Then, depending upon your employment status in the US, you must also submit additional documents. These are:

• I-20 and reference letter from educational institution for foreign students on F1 Visa.
• Employment contract, ITRs, 6-month bank statement, and written permission of leave for employees.
• Business license, 6-month company bank statement, and ITR for self-employed.
• Six-month pension statement for retirees.

Children below 18 years of age cannot travel to the Schengen region by themselves. They can only go along with a parent or a guardian. Along with the above-mentioned general documents, children must also submit their birth certificates and letter of consent signed by their parents.