P_M

"I'm sure I read a post recently about USA citizens needing a visa for Europe"

Tod, a US citizen only needs a visa for Europe if our stay is longer than 3 months. For only a 3 week stay we can just show up with a passport. I just returned from Europe 10 days ago so the rules haven't changed recently.

Sorry for all you went through but I hope you will have a great trip.

Alec

"I'm sure I read a post recently about USA citizens needing a visa for Europe"

There are certain countries on the periphery of Europe that still require visa for US visitors - including Russia and Belarus, but not Ukraine or Moldova.

P_M

Right Alec, I had to get visas for Russia and Belarus when I went. Since the OP mentioned France I was referring to the Schengen zone.

nytraveler

There are a couple of places in europe for which American needs visas: Turkey (but you can get it in the airport), Russia (advance needed and a PIA - similar to what you have to do - except you can pay a visa company to do it) and possibly some of the other former Soviet republics (I don;t know the status for Ukaraine et al).

It's still a shock for us to need a passport for Canada - you usd to be able to get in with a driver license and birth certificate. (And it does seem kind of funny, since we already share phone systems, power grid and a host of other services - and most of our 3000 mile plus border is completely open.)

tod

Thanks for your replies guys - as you can read between the lines I took it in fairly good humour even though it wasn't a good experience! I have applied and received Schengen visas in the past but it seems the 'attitude' is getting tougher.

Nytraveler - Wish me luck as today I apply for the almighty Canadian Visa!! This hopefully is going to be a cinch as I am not required to appear in person (like the French Consulate), but merely have a specialised courier company collect the necessary and then bring it back from the Canadian Consulate/Embassy.
This will be a saving of 500+- km's in travel a day earlier and a hotel bill of R1,400 (wanted to be at the French Consul as early as possible next morning otherwise we would have had to leave home at 3am to get to Johannesburg by 8.30am). Many of the others applying had flown in from other parts of South Africa. This 'far away' from JHB allows you to ask that your visa be completed the same day. For those living closer it's a three day wait.

tod

ttt