Shengen vs. Non Shengen
 

Hi,

I wanted to verify some information. Are Non-Shengen countries treated like Shengen countries when it comes to time allowed to visit? For example, a US citizen can visit France(Shengen) for 3 months and then visit the United Kingdom(non-Shengen) for 3 months and bounce back and forth indenfinitely. Can you do the same thing with two non-Shengen countries? For instance 3 months in United Kingdom(non-Shengen) and 3 months in the Republic of Ireland(non-Shengen)? Thanks for your help :)

Each country outside the Schengen region has its own rules. US passport holders are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom for up to six months, but the immigration official at the border has the final decision. For Schengen countries you can stay for 90 days out of 180. Best place for a US citizen to check the rules for each country is the US Department of State website:
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ion-Pages.html

Do realize that no one is guaranteed anything. While the UK allows 'up to 6 months' on a US passport - the Border agent at arrivals determines how long one may stay, or if one can even enter the country at all. Same goes for Schengen -- up to 90 days in a 180 day period . . . at the discretion of the immigration officer. Same goes for other countries -- each will have its own maximum allowed stay, but that can be shortened or denied.

And I wouldn't include 'indefinitely' in the calculation.

Non-Schengen countries are not a cohesive group and therefore don't have the same rules as each other. The Schengen countries are a group of countries within the European Union that have signed up to the Schengen agreement (Schengen is a small town in Luxembourg where the meeting took place), which provides for free passage amongst the signatory countries, primarily meant for its inhabitants to be able to travel freely. Because of this they act as a unit in terms of how long foreign visitors can visit for. The Schengen Zone has different approaches to different countries. So while US visitors have to observe the 90 days in 180 rule (and no visa, but soon an ETIAS visa waiver application), nationals from some countries such as India have to obtain a visa.

I think your question though is really about the Republic of Ireland, which as you correctly suggest is not within the Schengen Zone; see the following link, and read "Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements":

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...s/Ireland.html

Lavandula

awesome!! Thanks for the replies :)

The immigration agents will ask you questions to determine whether to admit you. They will want to know the purpose of your visit and how long you plan to stay. They may ask your occupation. They may ask for means of support or want to see your ticket home. In my experience the UK border folk tend to be more inquisitive and more so if you are young.