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A number of Education Abroad semester programs are shorter than 90 days. In many cases, this allows students to bypass the visa process, which can save a significant amount of time and money.Ìý

But for programs in Europe, this also comes with certain independent travel restrictions that students should carefully consider before deciding to pursue one of these options.

The SchengenÌýAreaÌýand why it mattersÌý

TheÌýÌýis composed of 29 European countries andÌýestablishesÌýcommonÌýset of border controlÌýrulesÌýacross the member states.Ìý

• U.S passport holders are allowed to stay in theÌýÌýfor up toÌý90ÌýdaysÌýwithin aÌý180 day rolling calendar periodÌýwithout a visa
• If your program is less thanÌý90 days,Ìýyou willÌýenter onÌýthis visa-free status, but you will use up yourÌý90 dayÌýallowance during the dates of your program

What this means for independent travel plans

• As you willÌýuse upÌýthe majority of yourÌý90 dayÌýallowance during the dates of the program,ÌýyouÌýwon’t be able to travel to any Schengen Area countryÌýbefore or after your program dates
• This means you can’t arrive in mainland Europe early or stay laterÌý
• In most cases, youÌýwillÌýalsoÌýbe unable to travel toÌýmainland EuropeÌýoverÌýtheÌýsummer, Thanksgiving,Ìýor winter breaksÌýdirectlyÌýbefore/after your programÌý
• You can still travel throughout mainland Europe during your program dates (for example, on weekends)
• YouÌýare still able to travel before and after your program dates to countries outsideÌýthe SchengenÌýArea, such asÌýthe United Kingdom,ÌýIreland, Morocco, etc.

Common questionsÌý

Q: Why can’t I just get a visa?Ìý
Student visas are only available if you are studying in aÌýsingleÌýcountry forÌýmore than 90 days. If your program isÌý90 daysÌýor less, you areÌýnot eligible,Ìýand there is no alternative visa that allows extra tourist time.Ìý

Q: Can I leave Europe for a weekend to reset my time?Ìý

No. Leaving the Schengen Area only pauses the clock.ÌýYour 90-daysÌýwon’tÌýbegin to reset untilÌý180 daysÌýfrom the date of yourÌýinitialÌýentry into the Schengen area.ÌýHere’sÌýanÌýÌýas well as a handy calculator.Ìý

Q: How haveÌýpreviousÌýstudents handled this?Ìý

If you haveÌýplacesÌýyou know you want to visit within mainland Europe, prioritize those for your weekends during the dates of the program. Save any travel plans for non-mainland Europe locations like the UK, Ireland, Morocco, etc. for before or after your program dates. And know that 90 days flies by, so make sure you devote plenty of time to exploring your host city and country!