Planning to visit Europe with a U.S. Green Card? You’re not alone—and yes. Most permanent residents in the U.S. are wrongly led to assume that they cannot visit the beautiful cities of Europe without all the hassles. However, the fact is that it is not that hard to obtain a Schengen visa when you are a Green Card holder, provided that you are informed about what to do.
In this comprehensive guide, I will provide all about how to proceed when applying for a Schengen visa in the USA, even when it is the first such case. Regardless of your dream to walk the streets of Paris, eat pasta in Rome, or taste castles in Germany.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know:
- Which embassy or consulate to I apply to
- Where to submit your documents
- What forms and documents are required
- How to avoid delays
Step 1: Do You Need a Schengen Visa?
You must apply if
- You hold a U.S. passport
- You are going to tour, to conduct business, or visit family members in Schengen countries
- Your trip is under 90 days
Step 2: Choose the Right Embassy or Consulate
One of the first things I learned: applying through the wrong embassy can delay or ruin your visa process. Here’s how to do it correctly.
Apply through
- The Schengen state to which you will spend the most time.
- Apply in the country you enter first, in case you desire to spend the same amount of time in more than one country.
Step 3: Find Your Visa Application Center (VAC)
In the U.S., embassies normally do not process the applications themselves. They do it through Visa Application Centers (VACs) instead.
Here’s how I found mine:
- Visit vfsglobal.com
- Select the Schengen country that you are applying to
- Choose your state or local VAC site
Step 4: Fill Out the Schengen Visa Application Form
After deciding on my embassy, the process involved filling in a visa application form.
You can
- Complete it online (France, Germany)
- It can be downloaded, printed, and filled by hand (Italy, Greece)
Form details
- Full name, nationality, date of birth
- Passport information
- Purpose of travel
- Travel dates and destinations
- Employment and financial information
Assure that the facts will be similar to your documents.
Read Also: How to Apply for a Sweden Work Visa (2025 Guide)
Step 5: Schedule Your Visa Appointment
After completing the form, you’ll need to book an appointment at your nearest VAC. This is where you’ll submit documents and give your biometrics. I booked mine on the VFS Global portal, and the slots were filling up fast, especially before summer.
Step 6: Collect All Required Documents
Required documents
- Valid passport
- U.S. Green Card
- Completed and signed the visa application form
- Two passport-size photos
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Hotel bookings or an invitation letter from the host
- Travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses
- Proof of financial means
- Employment verification or student letter
- Previous visa copies (if applicable)
Print out copies in a decent manner and carry them with you, along with the originals.
Step 7: Pay the Visa Fee
Current visa fees
- Adults: €80 (about $90)
- Children 6–12: €40
- Under 6 years: Free
You may pay:
- Online (depending on the country), or
- At VAC by card or by money order
Find out how to pay by checking the VAC page on your embassy.
Step 8: Attend the Visa Appointment
- Provided fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
- Answered basic questions like:
- “Why are you going to Europe?”
- “How long will you stay?”
- “Who’s funding your trip?”
It lasted approximately 25 minutes, which is exactly the time that I expected it to last since I was well prepared.
Step 9: Track Your Application Status
How to track
- Visit either the VFS or the TLS tracking portal
- Enter your reference number and DOB
Processing time
- Usually 7 to 21 days, depending on the embassy and season
- Season periods, such as summer or December, may be more time-consuming
Simply do checks periodically and maintain patience.
FAQs
1. How to apply for a Schengen visa from the USA as a Green Card holder?
Apply at your destination-based consulate/VFS. Complete the form and present the passport, Green Card, travelling record, insurance, and attend the appointment.
2. Is it easy to get a Schengen visa with a US visa?
Yes. A valuable US visa or Green Card demonstrates the evidence of strong ties and good traveling history, facilitating easier approval in case of completed documents.
3. Can a US Green Card holder travel to Germany without a visa?
No. Unless your passport is visa-free, you have to have a Schengen visa.
4. Can I go to Paris with a US Green Card?
Not without a Schengen visa-unless you have a passport that allows you to enter without any visa.
Read Also: Sweden Citizenship 2025: 5 Legal Ways to Get It Fast
Final Thoughts
As an American with a Green Card, the process of obtaining a Schengen visa might look complicated enough on first glance, though it is more than possible.
I resorted to all possible measures to be ready: I attended all procedures accurately, assembled all documents, and offered my application. After two weeks, I was holding my visa in my hand and I was travelling to explore the beauty of Europe. So, my point here is, do not hold back because you think that it is too complicated. You can also visit Europe with a bit of planning and preparation.
