There are 26 countries you can visit with Schengen visa. But, there are also 39 non-Schengen countries that you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa.
Many think that a Schengen visa is only for the Schengen zone. Yes, of course, it is. But many non-Schengen countries also honor Schengen visa as their own visa.
Why do non-Schengen countries honor Schengen visa?
There are several reasons why non-Schengen countries honor Schengen visas –
Reason 1: Countries soon to be included in the Schengen agreement
Countries that are in the process of joining the Schengen zone have already started honoring Schengen visas. Currently, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Cyprus are in the process of joining the Schengen zone.
Reason 2: Countries trust Schengen visa screening process
Schengen visa applicants are screened thoroughly for their strong ties with home countries. Countries simply trust the Schengen visa screening.
Reason 3: Countries that lack infrastructure, technology or manpower
Countries may not have the required infrastructure, technology or the manpower to screen applicants as thorough as Schengen visa.
What countries are included in the Schengen visa?
The following 26 countries are included in the Schengen visa.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Apart from the above 26, there are about 39 non-Schengen countries you can visit with Schengen visa.
What Schengen visas are eligible for non-Schengen countries?
The following Schengen visas can be used to travel non-Schengen countries
- Short-term C-Type Schengen visa
Some countries require the Schengen visas to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to enter the Schengen zone.
So, without further due, let’s jump in.
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North America
Cathedral in Oaxaca, Mexico
01. Mexico
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 180 days
- Source: Secretary of Foreign Relations, Mexico, Consulate of Mexico in Washington DC, USA, Consulate of Mexico in Toronto, Canada and Consulate of Mexico in India
***
Central America
Secret Beach in San Pedro, Belize
02. Belize
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Belize.com, Belize High Commission in London and Consulate of Belize in Alberta, Canada
03. El Salvador
- Applies to India passport holders only
- Entry up to 90 days
- Must enter El Salvador by land from Guatemala. Unrestricted travel between the CA-4 countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua) by land is allowed as per Central America-4 Border Control Agreement.
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador
04. Guatemala
- Applies to India passport holders only
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala and Embassy of India in Guatemala
05. Honduras
- Applies to India passport holders only
- Must enter Honduras by land from Guatemala. Unrestricted travel between the CA-4 countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua) by land is allowed as per Central America-4 Border Control Agreement.
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador on CA-4
06. Nicaragua
- Applies to India passport holders only
- Entry up to 30 days
- Must enter Nicaragua by land from Honduras. Unrestricted travel between the CA-4 countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua) by land is allowed as per Central America-4 Border Control Agreement.
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador on CA-4
***
Caribbean
Atlantis in Bahamas
07. Antigua and Barbuda
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda and Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda in NYC
08. Aruba
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Visit Aruba
09. Bahamas
- Applies to India passport holders only
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Bahamas.com and TIMATIC
10. Curaçao
- Applies to China, Dominican Republic and India passport holders only
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Curaçao Tourism and Netherlands and You
11. Haiti
- Applies to Colombia, Dominican Republic and Panama passport holders only
- Entry up to 180 days
- Source: Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington DC
12. Jamaica
- Applies to the following passport holders only
Albania
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Dominican RepublicEstonia
Honduras
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
MacedoniaMoldova
Montenegro
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia - Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Consulate General of Jamaica in NYC and Jamaica Immigration Department
13. Sint Maarten
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Government of Sint Maarten
***
South America
Villa de Leyva, Colombia
14. Argentina
- Applies to the following passport holders only
Albania
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Bahrain
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
China
Congo, Dem Rep of
Congo, Rep of
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Equatorial GuineaEritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
India
Indonesia
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Kiribati
Laos
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauricio
Moldova
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
NauruNepal
Niger
Oman
Palaos
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Rwanda
Samoa
São Tomé And Príncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe - The Schengen visa must be Category C visa only (work/student/residency are not eligible)
- The visa must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of entry into Argentina
- Must apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arrival
- eTA fee is $50 USD and processing time is 20 working days
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Department of Immigration of Argentina and Consulate General of Argentina, Toronto
15. Colombia
- Applies to Cambodia, China, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam passport holders only
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
16. Peru
- Applies to India and China passport holders only
- The Schengen visa must have been granted for at least 6 months
- Entry up to 180 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru and Embassy of India in Lima, Peru
***
Europe
St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
17. Albania
- Applies to all nationalities
- Must have used the visa to enter the issuing country at least once
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania
18. Andorra
- Applies to all nationalities
- Andorra doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Andorra is only through Spain or France which requires a Schengen Visa
- Schengen visa must be multiple-entry or at least double-entry as the entry/exit to Andorra is only through the Schengen zone
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra and All Andorra
19. Belarus
- Applies to the following passport holders only
China
Gambia
Haiti - Must have used the Schengen visa at least once
- Must enter and exit through Minsk National Airport only
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus
20. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Applies to all nationalities except Kosovo passport holders
- The visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the date of entry
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in India and Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Norway
21. Bulgaria
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
22. Croatia
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia, VFS Global, India and VFS Global, UAE
23. Cyprus
- Applies to all nationalities
- Stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180 day period
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
24. Georgia
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
25. Kosovo
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 15 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo and AAB College in Kosovo
26. Macedonia
- Applies to all nationalities
- The visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
- Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6 months period
- Entry up to 15 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia
27. Moldova
- Applies to China, Kuwait and Qatar passport holders only
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova
28. Monaco
- Applies to all nationalities
- Monaco doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Monaco is only through France which requires a Schengen Visa
- Schengen visa must be multiple-entry or at least double-entry as the entry/exit to Monaco is only through Schengen zone
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Government of Principality of Monaco and Visit Monaco
29. Montenegro
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro
30. Romania
- Applies to all nationalities
- The existing Schengen visa must allow at least two entries and the entries/length of stay has not been exhausted
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Tourism of Romania and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania
31. San Marino
- Applies to all nationalities
- San Marino doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to San Marino is only through Italy which requires a Schengen Visa
- Schengen visa must be multiple-entry or at least double-entry as the entry/exit to San Marino is only through Schengen zone
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Visit San Marino
32. Serbia
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 90 days
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
33. Turkey
- Applies to the following passport holders only
Afghanistan
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Cote d’Ivoire
Congo, Dem. Rep, of
Congo, Rep. of
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
EritreaEthiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
India
Iraq
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Nepal
NigerNigeria
North Korea
Pakistan
Philippines
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Vietnam
Yemen
Zimbabwe - Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for a 30 day eVisa online.
- Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
34. Vatican City
- Applies to all nationalities
- Vatican City doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Vatican City is only through Italy which requires a Schengen Visa
- Entry up to 1 day (There are no accommodation facilities for tourists in Vatican City)
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Middle East
Zulfa Mosque in Muscat, Oman
35. Oman
- Applies to the following passport holders only
- Visa in NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for 30 day eVisa
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
36. Qatar
- Applies to all nationalities
- Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for eTA and then avail Visa ON ARRIVAL at international airports in Qatar
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Qatar Tourist Authority and Ministry of Foreign Interior, Qatar
***
Africa
The beautiful beaches of São Tomé and Príncipe
37. São Tomé and Príncipe
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 15 days
- Source: Consulate of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Netherlands and São Tomé and Príncipe Tourism Department
***
Asia
The night view of Taipei, Taiwan
38. Philippines
- Applies to only India and China passport holders
- Entry up to 14 days (India passport holders)
- Entry up to 7 days (China passport holders)
- Source: Embassy of Philippines in Singapore and Embassy of Philippines in India
39. Taiwan
- Applies to Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam passport holders only
- Visa is EXEMPT but must apply online for Republic of China Travel Authorization Certificate (Valid for 90 days) before arrival
- Entry up to 14 days
- Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)
***
VISA-FREE travel with Schengen visa to British and Dutch Territories
01. Bonaire (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
- Applies to all nationalities
- Entry up to 30 days
- Source: Bonaire Travel Guide, VFS Global India – Dutch Caribbean Visas and The Netherlands and You
02. Gibraltar (British Territory)
- Applies to China, India, Mongolia, Morocco and Russia passport holders only
- Entry up to 21 days
- The Schengen visa must have a remaining validity of at least 7 days on the day of departure from Gibraltar
- Source: Government of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Borders & Coastguards Agency
***
VISA-FREE travel with a Residence Permit (Permanent Residency) from any Schengen Country
If you hold a Residence Permit (Permanent Residency) from any Schengen Country, you can use your residence permit to enter these below countries. Passport eligibility and rules apply as above.
North America
Caribbean
- Aruba
- Sint Maarten
Europe
- Albania
- Andorra
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Kosovo
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Monoco
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Turkey
- Vatican City
Middle East
- Qatar
Asia
- Philippines
- Taiwan
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There you have it! 39 non-Schengen countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa. Including the 26 Schengen countries, there are a total of 65 countries you can visit with Schengen visa.
Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) that you can travel VISA-FREE with Schengen visa? Let me know in the comments below.
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Highly informative. Please assist in the following.
I am an Indian Passport holder with visit VISA to USA. Which are the countries I can travel without a visa/ eligible for visa on arrival.
Hi Rajan! Thanks! I have a separate article on the VISA-FREE countries for US visa. Except for Argentina and Chile, all countries in that article offer visa exemption to INDIA passport with US visa.
highly appreciate the article info
Thanks, Venkatesh! I’m glad the article was helpful to you.
Thank you, very informative!
You’re welcome, Raul!
Please I want to know as a Nigerian nationality who reside in Italy with residential permit can I travel to Taiwan without a visa
Hi Franklin! Unfortunately, you would REQUIRE a visa to travel to Taiwan. The visa waiver with Schengen visa/residence permit is only for Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam passport holders.
Dear Sir
My son, a thai national now studying in Amsterdam, having Schengen visa and residence permit, wishes to join family in holidays in April for 7 days. Does he need to apply for UK visa for entry to UK. If required, how n where can he apply.
Thanks n regards
Hi Decha! Unfortunately, your son cannot use his Schengen visa or residence permit to enter the UK. Your son would need a UK tourist visa (short-stay visa) to travel to the UK. You can refer to my UK Visa Guide for more details.
Does a valid visa mean only one which is currently valid? Because the schengen visa is issued with a very short open window. So can a visa issued (and used) in the last two years be considered a valid visa?
Hi Sunil! A “valid visa” means the visa must be valid at the time of entering the country. An “expired visa” is NOT considered as “valid”.
Example: You intend to arrive in Albania on April 16. Your Schengen visa expiration date must be on or after April 17.
I understand that a Schengen visa is usually issued for a short period of time. But you will be issued with longer validity on your subsequent applications. Meaning, a first Schengen visa may be issued for 20 days, second visa may be issued for 90 days and third for 180 days.
Hi, I have a valid Schengen visa multiple-entry for 5 years. Can I get visa on arrival in Thailand?
Hi Irshad! No. You cannot use your Schengen visa to enter Thailand. You must have a Thai visa or you obtain VOA if you are from one of the 21 eligible countries. Refer to my Thailand Visa Guide for more information.
As regards Moldova, the information you have provided is outdated already.
Now, a majority of visa-required nationals may visit Moldova with a Schengen visa or residence permit! However, this visa exemption is not (yet) applicable to passport holders of 36 countries.
The updated list can be found by following the same link that you have provided.
Hi Attman! Thanks for the information! I apologize, I’m a bit slacking on updating these articles due to the bad internet situation in the areas I’m traveling. I will update the requirements for Moldova soon. Thanks again!
No worries, Thirumal!
This new policy seems to have been in effect for a week or so. It’s, nonetheless, good for everyone to remain updated on the changes.
By the way, those 36 nationalities who are not allowed to visit Moldova with a Schengen visa/RP may apply for an e-visa (https://www.evisa.gov.md/Home/Index) without an invitation letter issued by the Moldavian Bureau of Migration and Asylum, if they hold valid Schengen visas/RPs. That is an advantage, in any case.
Thanks, Attman! Great initiative on their part. This will definitely boost tourism in Moldova. A long time ago, a friend of mine worked in Moldova as a Peace Corps volunteer. I really wanted to visit my friend at that time but I couldn’t due to lengthy paperwork. This is great news. Thanks again!
I am a tourist from Pakistan having USA multiple visa. Can enter Moldova without a visa? In Pakistan, there is no embassy of Moldova. Thanks!
Hi Khurram! No, you cannot use your US visa to enter Moldova. You would need to have the following to enter Moldova
– A valid Moldova visa (or)
– A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa
– A valid visa or residence permit from any EU country or Schengen country
Hi,
My Friend has an Indian passport and is residing in Scotland, so she has a resident permit of Scotland. She is applying for a double entry Schengen visa from Scotland. She has booked a flight from Scotland to Belgium(Return ticket). But in between her stay in Belgium, she will also visit Croatia.
Will it be a problem?
Regards
Hi Nikita! Well, it depends. Is she going to disclose in her Schengen visa application that she will be visiting Croatia while being in Belgium? If so, it might create a visa dependency. We know Croatia is not a Schengen state but still accepts Schengen visa. The Belgium immigration authorities may not know this and they may ask for a Croatia visa. I suggest attaching a copy of “Croatia visa requirements” to her Schengen visa application.
If she is not going to disclose, then there is no problem. Most of the times, the Schengen visas are multiple entries, therefore, she can visit Croatia and re-enter Belgium.
Hi, I am South African with UAE resident visa and planning to apply for schengen visa. Which countries can I visit using the Schengen visa? Thanks
Hi Elisa! Apart from the 26 Schengen countries, you can travel to all the countries listed in this article that says “applies to all nationalities”.
Your UAE residence visa may give you access to some GCC countries as well. I plan to write a detailed article on UAE resident visa as well, I will update you when that’s published.
Can a Jamaican with a 23 yr old past non-violent case visit Canada? Has funds, job and, and will pay upfront for the hotel stay. Denied in 2015. Reason – do not believe they would return home. All pertinent docs were revealed.
Hi Jo! Yes, if you can secure the visa, you can very well visit Canada. The reason for your 2015 denial seems to be based on lack of strong ties with your country rather than the non-violent case. If you don’t have a full-time job, enough savings and travel history, your ties with your country become weaker, which could lead to visa refusal.
Hi dear, I am a Pakistani national living in Dubai UAE. Should I visit schengen country first or without travel, I can visit Mexico on Schengen valid visa?
Hi Mzhr Khan! You can visit Mexico with your valid Schengen visa. You don’t have to use your Schengen visa to enter the Schengen zone first.