Who needs a Schengen Visa?

As with every rule, there is an exception, the Schengen Convention also has its own exceptions. This exception applies to a few non-signatory countries Citizens of these countries do not need a visa to stay within the Schengen area. These are the following exempted countries:

Albanie	Andorre	Argentine
Australie	Bermudes	Brésil
Brunei	Bulgarie	Canada
Chili	Colombie	Costa Rica
El Salvador	Chypre	Grèce
Guatemala	Honduras	Islande
Irlande	Israël	Japon
Macao	Macédoine	Malaisie
Mexique	Moldavie*	Monaco
Monténégro	Nouvelle-Zélande	Nicaragua
Panama	Paraguay	Roumanie
Saint-Marin	Serbie	Singapour
Corée du Sud	Suisse	Royaume-Uni
Irlande du Nord	États-Unis	Royaume-Uni
Samoa Américaines	Guam	Porto Rico
Uruguay	Vatican	Venezuela

*(The visa exemption is only valid for people with biometric passports)

It should be noted that a legal authorization is always required if the person wishes to stay in a Schengen country. It is required under the Convention for a citizen of a member or non-member country, whether or not he needs a Schengen Visa.

A Schengen visa must not exceed 3 months or 90 days every 6 years without any reasons for travel. The Schengen visa does not allow you to work or study in another member country. In addition to the Schengen visa, an airport transit visa is also required for passengers transiting the Schengen area.

This applies to passengers from the following countries:

Afghanistan	Bangladesh	Congo (Rd)
Érythrée	Éthiopie	Ghana
Iran	Irak	Nigeria
Pakistan	Somalie	Sri Lanka

As with the Schengen visa, the airport transit visa also has exceptions. Consequently, there are cases where airport transit visas are not required:

• Hold a residence permit from a Schengen member country, a Schengen visa valid for short stays or long stays.
• Hold a residence permit from countries such as Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the United States. These countries allow for their nationals to reside anywhere else.
• Hold a valid Schengen visa or a valid visa authorizing entry into one of the EFTA countries as well as Canada, Japan or the United States, even when returning from those countries after using that visa.
• Be a family member of the citizen of the European Union. This exception only applies to close family.
• Hold a diplomatic passport.

Having a family member who is an EU/EEA citizen does not necessarily give access to free entry into the Schengen area without the need for a visa. However, simplified procedures related to the Schengen visa application procedure will be implemented so that the person can quickly obtain his visa. However, this offer only applies to those meeting the following criteria:

• Be a first-degree family member of the EU/EEA citizen: her/spouse or child under the age of 21.
• Meet the EU/EEA citizen in the travel destination or country of residence in the Schengen area, holding proof.

Some people have multiple nationalities. The passport used for the relevant trip will be used to determine their nationality. This would lead to whether or not they need a Schengen visa. The use of a passport requiring a Schengen visa requires each passenger to obtain it, even when holding a passport allowing free movement, without a visa.

Note on the D visa, this type of visa allows you to enter a Schengen area. It may also be used to stay there for a period of time. The D visa may only be granted for a legitimate reason.

As for the permit to reside in a country, the holder is allowed to visit any country within of the Schengen area without exceeding the maximum 90 day-stay, every 6 months.