Part ofbyFounders

Schengen visa for American passport holders

One Schengen short-stay visa lets American travelers visit all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You file a single application, but where you file it matters.

Apply to the right country

Apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If you will spend an equal number of days in more than one country, apply to the country you enter first.

Applying to the wrong consulate is a top reason Schengen visas get refused.

Schengen countries we cover for United States

Common questions

Which Schengen country should I apply to?
Apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If you will spend an equal number of days in more than one country, apply to the country you enter first.
Does one Schengen visa cover every country in the area?
Yes. A Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa lets you travel across all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You still file one application, through the country where you will spend the most days.
Do the fees and processing times change by country?
Each Schengen country runs its own consulate or visa center, so appointment waits, processing times, and document details differ by route. Open the country page for United States below to see the specifics.
Can Meridian tell me whether I will be approved?
No. No honest service can promise a visa outcome. Meridian checks whether your application is ready to submit and flags what is missing or inconsistent, so you can fix it before you apply.

Not sure you are ready to apply? Meridian's free check reviews your details and tells you what to fix first. It never promises an outcome.

Check your application readiness