How to apply for a Schengen visa as an international student in the USA

While American citizens do not need a Schengen visa in order to visit the Schengen area, international students from certain countries who are living in the United States may require one—depending on what country they are from. If you are a citizen of a country that lacks visa-free access to the Schengen area, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa in order to visit the zone (see if you need a Schengen visa here). But can international student apply for Schengen visa from America? Actually, they can. Today’s blog will therefore show you how to apply for a Schengen visa as an international student in the USA. Learn about the visa requirements for foreign students from the USA and discover more international student advice and guidance, Keep reading for more specific information, including the Schengen visa fees for the USA residents, Schengen visa requirements for a US Green Card holder, and for information relevant to those applying for a Schengen Visa in US for foreign students in the US on F1 visas. 

How to apply for a Schengen visa as an international student in USA

• 1. Plan your travel dates 
  • Schengen visa applicants should apply in advance of when they want to travel, in order to make sure that they complete the entire application process in time to go on their trip with their Schengen visa. As a foreign student in the United States, you likely will be planning your trip to the Schengen area to correspond with your school’s summer vacation or other free periods during your semester. While knowing exactly when you need to travel is unnecessary, you should make sure to apply two weeks before around when you need to leave (two weeks is the traditional Schengen Visa processing time). 
• 2. Consider what “type” of Schengen visa you need 
  • There are numerous types of Schengen visas for student visa holders. In order to determine which type you need, think about your primary reason for traveling to the Schengen area. Are you going to see relatives there? (If yes, then you should apply for the “Visiting Family and Friends Schengen visa). Or are you just going to have a look around (if the latter, seek out a “Tourist Schengen visa).” 
  • Remember that US Student visa holders should only apply for a “Student Schengen visa” if they are traveling to the Schengen area primarily for educational reasons (such as to take short-term classes or participate in an educational exchange program). For example, if you are a student who is traveling to the Schengen area to receive medical treatment, you will apply for a “Medical Schengen visa” rather than a student visa. 
  • See the full list available types of Schengen visas for student visa holders here.
• 3. Consider what “entry category” of Schengen visa you need 
  • Schengen visas come in single, double, and multiple entry categories.  
  • If you only plan on visiting the Schengen area once during your visa validity period, you should apply for a single-entry Schengen visa. This is good for students who are traveling to the zone during school vacations and all those who do not intend to re-enter to the zone after exiting (because they ultimately need to return to school in the US). Keep in mind that once you exit the Schengen area on a single-entry visa, you will not be able to return to the zone—even if your visa is still valid. 
  • If you want more flexibility on your trip, you might consider applying for a double-entry Schengen visa, which will allow you to enter, exit, and re-enter the zone a second time (hence the “double” entry). 
  • As a foreign student, you likely do not intend to travel back and for between the US and the Schengen area. However, if you can see yourself making multiple trips to the zone during your visa validity period, you should apply for a multiple-entry Schengen, which will not restrict the number of times you can return to zone after exiting. 
• 4. Select a country to apply to 
  • Because a Schengen visa grants you access to all 26 countries in the zone, you may be wondering where you apply for it from. However, the process for determining where to apply for your Schengen visa is fairly simple: you will apply through the Schengen country that you will stay the longest in (i.e. your primary Schengen destination). 
  • Therefore, if you are flying directly into Paris and plan to remain in the French capital throughout the entirety of your trip, your primary destination in the zone is easily identifiable as France, and you will therefore apply for a French Schengen visa. 
  • However, if you are spending time in multiple countries, you will apply through the one you stay the longest in. If you are spending the same number of days in two places (for example, France and the Netherlands) you will apply through the destination that stands as your first entry into the zone (for example, if you intend to fly directly into Amsterdam (where you plan on staying for 30 days) from New York, you will apply for a Schengen visa from the Netherlands—even if you are also staying 30 days in France.
• 5. Figure out where in the US to apply 
  • Can an international student apply for a Schengen visa from the US? Schengen visa applicants who are applying from within the United States, including foreign students, will apply through the embassy/consulate or visa application center associated with the Schengen country they are applying to (whichever entity is responsible for accepting Schengen visas). 
  • Foreign embassies in the United States are located in the capital, Washington, D.C, whereas country consulates are located in major US cities. Keep in mind that most Embassies also have consular sections. Occasionally, countries will have you apply through application centers (also located in major cities). 
  • Because the United States is so large, you may have several options in terms of where you can apply (in which case you will select the destination that is closest to you). For example, France accepts Schengen visa applications at consulates located in multiple state capitals, meaning that if you are applying for a French Schengen visa, you could theoretically apply through the French consulate in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, or Washington, D.C.
• 6. Gather your required documents 
  • Foreign students, like all Schengen visa applicants, must submit the following required documents: 
    • Passport
    • Passport photos (2) 
    • Proof of accommodation
    • Proof of finances
    • Proof of travel medical insurance 
    • Schengen visa form 
    • Visa fee (Schengen visa fees for the USA residents are typically 80 EUR. As a student, you may be exempt from the full cost. See more info about Schengen visa costs here).
  • In addition to the basic forms, applicants must also submit supplemental documents that relate to the type of visa they are applying for. For example, applicants for Medical and Visiting Family and Friends visas will need to submit forms relating to the procedure they are undergoing in the Schengen area and a letter from the person inviting them to visit the zone, respectively. 
  • A full list of Schengen documents and materials is accessible here.
• 7. Access the Schengen visa application 
  • The basic Schengen visa application (relevant to most countries) is available for download here.
  • However, if you are applying to a country like France, you may be asked to apply through a country specific visa portal (which requires the applicant to create an online account). See France visa online portal as an example.
• 8. Schedule your Schengen visa appointment 
  • Schengen visa applicants who require an in-person Schengen visa appointment in order to submit their visa (i.e. the vast majority of applicants) will need to schedule this appointment (which takes place at the embassy/consulate or visa application center they are applying through) well in advance. If you submit an electronic application through a Schengen visa portal, you likely will be able to make a visa appointment through that same system. Alternatively, you should contact your application location directly. 
• 9. Attend your Schengen visa appointment
  • This is where you will fulfill all of your in-person visa requirements for foreign students from the USA. These include the following requirements: payment of your visa fee, submission of your complete application, submission of your biometric information (photos and fingerprints) and your attendance at a brief interview.
• 10. Await your decision 
  • The general Schengen visa processing time is two weeks, meaning that you should receive your visa within two weeks of handing in your application (bear in mind that the application reviewal process can take anywhere from 30-60 days, however). 
  • If you are rejected for a Schengen visa (or are worried you will be rejected for one) click here to learn how to appeal.

Additional international student advice and guidance

• Please note that the Schengen visa requirements for a US Green Card holder are the same ones required by those who are applying for a Schengen visa in the US for foreign students in the US on F1 visas. This means that the requirements outlined above apply equally to Green Card holders (permanent US residents) and foreign students on F1 visas. Therefore, if you hold an American Green Card, but you lack US citizenship, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit the zone.