Foreigners from the United States traveling to different countries in Europe need to have the proper travel documents with them to ensure that they are allowed entry into the region. Depending on where you’re going, these travel documents include a valid passport as well as the appropriate type of visa. In line with the latter, below are the different types of European visas, as well as their validity.
Uniform Schengen Visa (USV)
Some of the countries that belong to the Schengen territory include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland to name a few. If you are traveling to a country that belongs to the Schengen territory, all you have to do is to apply for a Schengen visa and this will already allow you to cross the border of these countries without having to apply for another visa. A USV can either allow you a single-entry, a double-entry, or a multiple-entry in the region.
As its name implies, a single-entry USV will allow you to enter a country that is a member of the Schengen territory only once. This means that as soon as you exit the region, you are no longer allowed to return unless you apply for another visa. As for the double-entry visa, you are allowed to go back for a second time but after that, you need to apply for another visa to be able to enter the region once again. In both types of USVs, the duration of your stay will be specified by the granting embassy or consulate.
If you are a frequent traveler to any of the countries in the Schengen territory, it is most likely that the consulate will be granting you a multiple-entry visa that varies in terms of duration. It can be valid for a year, three years, or five years. A one-year multiple-entry USV will allow you to enter the region as many times as you need to, for as long as you don’t stay for more than 90 days within the year that your visa is valid. On the other hand, a 3-year and 5-year multiple USV will also allow you to enter the region several times but make sure that you don’t stay for more than 90 days within 180 days.
National Visa
If you are visiting a country outside of the Schengen territory, then it is most likely that you need to apply for a national visa. In the same manner, you also need to apply for a national visa if you intend to study or work in the region. The duration of your stay will be specified in the visa granted to you but this usually varies from one country to another.
You should exert the extra effort to do your research before you travel to any European destination. In doing so, you will be able to prepare the necessary travel documents that you need to have with you for you to be permitted entry into the country of your destination. As a result, you will have a seamless and stress-free travel experience in the region.
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