Peter Greenberg: European Visas
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-01-12
'Don't Go There!'
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Will I need a visa to visit Oslo, Norway, and London this winter? I'm thinking of visiting other cities in Europe, too, like Paris, Rome, and Athens.
–Alan, Anchorage, Alaska
For nearly all European countries, you won't need a visa as long as you aren't planning to stay longer than 90 days. The visa-free list includes all the countries you mention: Norway, Britain, France, Italy, and Greece. There are only a handful of exceptions, and they're mostly for countries you're unlikely to visit anyway, such as Belarus and Azerbaijan.
The only country you might visit that requires a visa is Russia. That country has a surprisingly complex system for Americans and other visitors. If you're planning on visiting Russia these days, obtaining the help of a reputable guide or travel agency would be helpful.
Another fairly popular destination in Europe, Turkey, does technically require a visa. But these are easily obtained at the country's entry points (like airports) or at its foreign consulates with a minimal cost ($20). Turkey may call that a visa, but from the average traveler's perspective, it's more like a simple entry fee.
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