moinjnu

Hi Guys,
I am planning to fly to India from New York while visiting Paris and Zurich. My US visa (J1) is expired but I have my DS2019 (work permit) till 2012. Will it be possible to get the Schengen visa from USA. I heard that you need a valid US visa for that or you get that from your home country. As I am planning to visit Paris, Venice and Zurich, if any of the three countries (France, Swiss, Italy) gives me, it should be ok I guess. Please let me know guys.
Thanks

DalaiLlama

Here you get opinions, for facts go to the consulates.

But I'll opine this: What matters to the Europeans is what nationality's passport you travel on, not what visa or working permit allows you to be in the US.

US passport holders do not need a visa to enter the countries that are signatories to the Schengen agreement if they visit for three months or less. Do you have a US passport?

When you arrive - from the US or anywhere else - you show them your passport, and if that should be accompanied by a visa, then you need to have that visa. So inquire if your nationality requires a visa for the Schengen countries in Europe. Then get one - your status with the US authorities has no impact on your admission into the Schengen countries.

DalaiLlama

I might add that you will not be allowed to board a flight from the US bound for Europe if you don't already have the required documentation. Airlines don't want to be responsible for bringing you back if you don't get admitted over there, so they check before they allow you to board.

Begin by contacting the consulate of the country where you plan on making first entry into the Schengen area.

swensri

Hey moinjnu....I am in a similar situation. I was wondering if you did get the Schengen visa? If so, which country did you apply through? France, Swiss or Italy?