Can an Indian (tourist) stop in the Schengen area and then continue to USA without going back to India?
I apologize for a vague title but here's the scenario:
I'm applying for Schengen visa. According to the preliminary itinerary, I'm going to fly from India and then fly back to India. I've USA visitor visa as well. I'm considering flying to USA directly from the Schengen area without going back to India. I'm not in a position to make that decision before my Schengen visa appointment. My travel agent said something about 'always return to home country' but that didn't quite make sense to me as he didn't provide any references. Just wanted to get your opinion on it.
Update
My travel agent talked to his boss and got back to me confirming that there's no such requirement as 'return to home country' for every foreign visit. Thanks very much for your responses.
Best Answer
You do not need to return to India before going to the United States.
In order to obtain a Schengen visa, you need to show that you are capable (have "sufficient means of subsistence", e.g. money) and intend to leave the Schengen area to a country where you are "certain to be admitted".
As a practical matter, having a valid visa for such a third country, along with onward tickets to that country, is sufficient, and many people obtain Schengen visas for similar itineraries all the time.
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Can I leave the Schengen zone and come back?
If you leave the Schengen Zone, your time doesn't reset so it is really important that you keep track of how long you're in the Schengen Zone. If you're in the Schengen Zone for 90 days consecutively, you must leave after 90 days and can't return for another 90 days!Can I exit from another Schengen country?
Yes, you can enter or exit from the Schengen area via a country other than the one you have a visa for, your port of entry or exit doesn't depend on the issuing country of your visa.How long do you have to stay out of the Schengen area?
For example, France has a bilateral agreement that allows U.S. citizens to stay an additional 90 days beyond the Schengen limit. You can enter from any Schengen country, stay 90 days in France, and then fly home. But the catch is you have to go home \u2014 you can't go elsewhere.How can I stay in Schengen area longer than 90 days?
What you can do though is to get a Schengen Tourist Visa for 90 days (3 months) and then get another 180 days (6 months) tourist visa for the UK or through other European countries and that would technically enable you to stay in the European area for a long time.My Schengen Visa Rejection Story - Denied From EUROPE Twice!
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Answer 2
It is possible that your travel agent is making this comment not regarding visas, but regarding cost of travel. Visa-wise, I agree with the other answers, this is no concern. Pricewise though, the advice might be solid, here is why.
If you fly from Delhi to Berlin, then from Berlin to NY and then back from NY to Delhi direct, this is three one-way tickets which WILL be very expensive. There are two solutions to this: 1- Do what your agent said. Fly Delhi to Berlin and back, then Delhi to NY and back. 2- Make sure you connect in the same city on the way back. I.e. Fly from Delhi to Berlin, stay there, go to NY and when flying back make sure you connect in Berlin.
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