21/07/2022
GO with a Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa allows foreign nationals to enter any country in the European Union with a single entry permit. However, in addition to the countries that signed the Schengen agreement, a Schengen visa allows holders to visit several other countries that aren’t in the European Union or the Schengen zone— provided they hold a valid multiple entry visa for tourist or business, purposes.
List of Non-Schengen Countries You Can Enter With a Schengen Visa
Here is a list of the countries that are not members of the Schengen Area, but you can enter while you have a valid Schengen visa:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Colombia
Croatia
Northern Cyprus
Georgia
Gibraltar
Kosovo
Mexico
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
Serbia
Turkey
Albania
Located in Southeastern Europe, Albania is still not a part of the Schengen Zone or the European Union, but if you have a valid Schengen visa you can enter Albania visa-free for 90 days. Albania began negotiations to join the EU in 2003, and now it’s on the list of candidates who applied for EU membership. So, to help this transition in the future, it has adopted a visa policy similar to the Schengen Area, therefore, allowing you to visit visa-free for a short period. Please note that for stays longer than 90 days, you must apply for a valid Albania visa.
Antigua and Barbuda
If you have a Schengen visa that is still valid, you can enter Antigua and Barbuda without applying for a national visa. However, after you arrive in the country, you must obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) available only to specific travellers, i.e., those who possess a valid Schengen visa. Remember that you can get a VOA only if you visit Antigua and Barbuda for tourism, and you can only stay for 30 days.
Belarus
If you are a national of the following countries, you can enter Belarus visa-free if you possess a Schengen visa:
Egypt
Gambia
Haiti
India
Iran
Jordan
Lebanon
Namibia
Pakistan
Samoa
South Africa
Vietnam
However, you’re eligible to enter visa-free in Belarus only if you hold a flight ticket to your home country that allows you to depart from the airports in Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Mogilev. The visa-free stay in Belarus is valid for only 30 days and cannot be extended beyond this period.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is recognized as a potential candidate to join the EU, allowing foreign nationals to enter visa-free if they have a Schengen visa. But, the visa-free period is valid only for 30 days. Additionally, this privilege is not extended to holders of Kosovan passports— which means if you are a Kosovo citizen, you cannot enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free even if you possess a valid Schengen visa.
Colombia
Visa-free stay for 90 days within a 180 day period is allowed in Colombia if you hold a valid Schengen visa, and you are from the following countries:
Cambodia
China
India
Macau (180 days)
Myanmar
Thailand
Vietnam
Keep in mind that this is applicable only if your Schengen visa has not expired yet.
Northern Cyprus (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus)
Northern Cyprus is territory on the northeastern section of the island of Cyprus. It’s recognized as an independent country only by Turkey. Due to the political division, Northern Cyprus is not a part of the Schengen Area or the EU, but foreigners who have a valid visa from any Schengen country can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. However, you might not need a visa since most visitors can enter the territory visa-free regardless of their nationality.
Please note that Northern Cyprus is not to be confused with the Republic of Cyprus—a member of the EU.
Georgia
Foreign nationals who hold a Schengen visa can enter Georgia visa-free for 90 days within 180 days. However, if you are a national from Kosovo, Taiwan, and Palestine, you will be refused entry— you won’t even be allowed to transit unless you hold a residence visa from UAE.
Gibraltar
Nationals from China, India, Mongolia, Morocco, and Russia enter Gibraltar if they have a Schengen visa valid for a minimum period of 7 days after entering the country. In 2020, the EU agreed to make Gibraltar a part of the Schengen area allowing Spain to issue Schengen visas for Gibraltar. However, this agreement is yet to be finalized.
Kosovo
Anyone who holds a valid Schengen visa can enter Kosovo visa-free for 15 days— this includes holders of a valid biometric residence permit from a Schengen country. Currently, Kosovo is recognized as a potential candidate to join the EU, while it’s still not a part of the Schengen area.
