Traveling to Europe on a Chinese Passport / Green Card?

[mercator]

What is the policy of travel within the EU for lao po who has her 2 year green card (we have to wait until Dec 08 to submit the I-751), but is of course still traveling under her Chinese passport?

 

Will she need visas for every country we wish to visit? If so it will limit where we decide to go.

 

I'd be very interested to hear what others who have traveled outside the US and China with their Chinese spouse have encountered!

 

Thanks!

 

Mercator

[Guest Rob & Jin]

chinese passport holder will need visa for each country in europe , so will USA passport holder, not EU passports .

[Sebastian]

I know this is a bit different answer -

but -

one of them there European Countries will allow her in/out on border tourist visa... Switzerland? Sweden ? One of them there 'S' sounding thingies.

 

So if you limit travel to just *THAT* country - hey ! you've been to Europe !!!

[Randy W]

http://wikitravel.org/en/European_Union

 

You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

 

Citizens of some non-EU member countries, such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States of America don't need visas if they are traveling for tourist purposes and their stays lasts no longer than 90 days within a 180 day period inside the Schengen area. Citizens of the EU candidate countries Croatia (except Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), also don't need visas, as well as citizens of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

 

It is important to note that the 90 days visa-free stay for citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States of America apply for the whole Schengen area, i.e. it is not 90 days per country as some assume. Citizens of the above countries who wish to travel around Europe for longer than 90 days must apply for a residency permit. This is best done in Germany, as all other Schengen countries require applicants to apply from their home countries.

Edited April 5, 2008 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Guest Rob & Jin]

I know this is a bit different answer -

but -

one of them there European Countries will allow her in/out on border tourist visa... Switzerland? Sweden ? One of them there 'S' sounding thingies.

 

So if you limit travel to just *THAT* country - hey ! you've been to Europe !!!

 

 

Neither Sweden or Switzerland are in the EU

[dnoblett]

chinese passport holder will need visa for each country in europe , so will USA passport holder, not EU passports .

US citizens have the benefit of the Visa Waiver Program so no visa for US Citizen.

 

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

 

Chinese citizen will need a visa to visit Europe.

 

Most countries in Europe use a common visa called a Schengen visa, you can apply for one at any of the Schengen countries consulate or embassy. UK is not one of the Schengen countries.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_agreement

http://www.eurovisa.info/SchengenVisa.htm

 

Useful tool to determine visa requirements.

 

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations...rt_information/ (Enter nationality (Chinese or US) Country of residence (US) and country traveling through or to)

 

UK will require a separate visa that you apply for through their consulate or embassy.

Edited April 5, 2008 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[Guest Rob & Jin]

The chinese passport holder will require a visa for each country.

 

The usa wont, but should get this -

 

Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country; many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

[dnoblett]

Another reason to become a US citizen, the US passport allows travel to all countries having a VWP with the US, Having a US Passport can save a lot of headaches. Last time I traveled to Europe I just hopped on the plane US Passport in hand, NO Visa needed.

 

10 other reasons to naturalize and become a US Citizen.

 

1. A Citizen Can Vote
   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.
   
2. Dual Citizenship (Currently N/A with China)
   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.
   
3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly
   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.
   
4. Citizens Cannot be Deported
   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.
   
5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits
   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.
   
6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits
   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.
   
7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities
   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.
   
8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically
   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.
   
9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits
   Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.
   
10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years
    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.
    

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm

[Randy W]

The chinese passport holder will require a visa for each country.

 

 

 

 

Read about Schengen agreement

 

You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

There are no border controls between countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed the treaty. Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks.

 

According to he Schengen agreement, there are no border controls in place. Meaning no one to even check your passport, except on intitial entry

 

A list of Schengen agreement countries is at http://wikitravel.org/en/European_Union

[Guest Rob & Jin]

The chinese passport holder will require a visa for each country.

 

 

 

 

Read about Schengen agreement

 

You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

There are no border controls between countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed the treaty. Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks.

 

According to he Schengen agreement, there are no border controls in place. Meaning no one to even check your passport, except on intitial entry

 

A list of Schengen agreement countries is at http://wikitravel.org/en/European_Union

 

 

ok Randy, as a UK/UA passport holder all I can tell you this, last time I travelled from the UK to Greece, our passports where looked at in 4 different border crossings-Holland, France,Italy and Greece. we didn't need visas so no problem. Not sure that will work with a chinese passport.

 

B) Try it and let us know

[Randy W]

The chinese passport holder will require a visa for each country.

 

 

 

 

Read about Schengen agreement

 

You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

There are no border controls between countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed the treaty. Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks.

 

According to he Schengen agreement, there are no border controls in place. Meaning no one to even check your passport, except on intitial entry

 

A list of Schengen agreement countries is at http://wikitravel.org/en/European_Union

 

 

ok Randy, as a UK/UA passport holder all I can tell you this, last time I travelled from the UK to Greece, our passports where looked at in 4 different border crossings-Holland, France,Italy and Greece. we didn't need visas so no problem. Not sure that will work with a chinese passport.

 

B) Try it and let us know

 

It should work the same with a Chinese passport as it does for the UK passport, since neither are members of the Schengen agreement, except that UK passports do not need a visa

Border posts and checks have been removed between the states which form the Schengen area.[3] A common Schengen visa allows tourists or other visitors access to the area.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_treaty

[Guest Rob & Jin]

The chinese passport holder will require a visa for each country.

 

 

 

 

Read about Schengen agreement

 

You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

There are no border controls between countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed the treaty. Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks.

 

According to he Schengen agreement, there are no border controls in place. Meaning no one to even check your passport, except on intitial entry

 

A list of Schengen agreement countries is at http://wikitravel.org/en/European_Union

 

 

ok Randy, as a UK/UA passport holder all I can tell you this, last time I travelled from the UK to Greece, our passports where looked at in 4 different border crossings-Holland, France,Italy and Greece. we didn't need visas so no problem. Not sure that will work with a chinese passport.

 

Try it and let us know

 

It should work the same with a Chinese passport as it does for the UK passport, since neither are members of the Schengen agreement, except that UK passports do not need a visa

Border posts and checks have been removed between the states which form the Schengen area.[3] A common Schengen visa allows tourists or other visitors access to the area.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_treaty

 

 

UK passports are EU passports now, changed a few years ago

[mercator]

Thanks for all the information. Looks like we'll narrow our ideas down to a couple of countries, or just go to China again.

[jim_julian]

UK passports are EU passports now, changed a few years ago

 

A European passport is a passport issued by a member country of the European Union to its citizens. European passports share common design features[1] such as the burgundy coloured cover, the use of the words "European Union" (before 1997: "European Community") in 12 of the EU official languages on the first page, as well as common security features and biometrics.[2] Some EU countries also issue non-European passports to people whose citizenship of that country does not make them citizens of the European Union (e.g., British Overseas Territories citizens, British National (Overseas)).[3]

 

These passports are still passports of the issuing country (eg Austrian Passport), however they conform to the standards quoted above.

Edited April 6, 2008 by jim_julian (see edit history)