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Overstaying a Schengen visa

Have you overstayed a Schengen Visa or know anyone who has? If so, were there consequences?

Cody Adams
Post Count: 10

Msg: #1 135 days ago, August 28th 2008

Now that I\'ve been in Europe for a while I\'ve inevitably come across people overstaying their visas and got curious. After la little snooping I know possible penalties include fines, future travel bans, etc... but almost all the resources were at least a year old. I was wondering if anyone has or knows of any recent experiences along the lines of overstaying a visa and then trying to leave, especially a Schengen visa?

Sara127

Sara127
Post Count: 1

Msg: #2 131 days ago, September 1st 2008

I just got back from London where I thought I could get restamped and enter the Schengen country again but . . . London interrogated me right off the bat and I hadn't even overstayed my visa--I have a week left. They asked about bank statements, if I had a job in the U.S. who I was visiting, where we met, what school we went to, what we like to talk about--it freaked me out. Right now I just happen to be in the process of choosing whether I should stay until November or go this month. I leave through Ireland, which I've heard isn't as bad as London, but it's still the UK and they have the whole story I gave on file. I'm very uncomfortable with the thought of overstaying the visa.

I just found a forum that said it's possible to ask for a visa extension... so that's the next thing to research.

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5517

Msg: #3 130 days ago, September 1st 2008

Hello Cody :)

I moved this to the Travel News and Discussion forum.

Mel

cadams1

Cody Adams
Post Count: 10

Msg: #4 130 days ago, September 1st 2008

I'm actually in the process of trying to apply for a longer visa and/or work permit but it's difficult, just as it would be in any European country I suspect. I don't have any updates yet but a very nice immigration officer here in Holland might have said (wink,wink) it's better to leave through Belgium as their immigration isn't nearly as strict. I did find out that it's okay for your visa to run out if you've already filed a further application.

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5517

Msg: #5 130 days ago, September 1st 2008

As far as I heard most of the immigration officers in most of Europe pretty much ignore if a tourist outstays the Schengen visa. I have never heard of anybody being fined.

The immigration in the UK have a reputation for being like that Sara. I dont see what the problem is if you intend to leave the UK soon and reenter Schengen. They really are being pains about it.

....Ireland, which I've heard isn't as bad as London, but it's still the UK .....

That is so politically incorrect that saying it to the immigration folk in Ireland could actually cause them to make trouble for you. ;)

cadams1

Cody Adams
Post Count: 10

Msg: #6 130 days ago, September 1st 2008

Yeah, for your sake Sara, I hope you meant Northern Ireland. But I understand your UK problems. I actually tried to fly from Spain to Scotland and was refused entry because "my plans were too vague". They basically asked what my itinerary was and then were mad that I couldn't give a day by day description. I guess the days of flying by the seat of your pants are long gone.

djob

Derek O'Brien
Post Count: 2

Msg: #7 123 days ago, September 8th 2008

I've been wondering about the same thing, since the last stamp on my passport was July 2007. I was recently told by a friend who was in a similar situation as me and went back to the US a couple of months ago that nobody in Europe checked his passport at all when leaving. He left out of Paris. I'm thinking of maybe flying out of Switzerland, just to be safe . . . but it will cost me an extra $200 + over taking the exact same flight from Munich.

TeamTurner

Michael & Kelley Turner
Post Count: 130

Msg: #8 110 days ago, September 21st 2008

Based on my experience and friends of mine who are ex-pats, most of Europe seems to look the other way as visa time lines. I will say that Germany is a little more stringent. I have a friend who was caught by the Germans and forced to fly back to the US. If you plan to out stay the three months ouy of every six policy, watch out for Germany.

[Edited: 20:50 - TeamTurner - Spelling]

djob

Derek O'Brien
Post Count: 2

Msg: #9 110 days ago, September 21st 2008

So I guess 17 months is a slight overstay, eh? :-) . . . That's why I'm thinking Switzerland is the country to fly out of. Not Schengen (not yet, anyway).

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5517

Msg: #10 109 days ago, September 22nd 2008

.....watch out for Germany.

Speaking of watching out for Germany, I flew into Munich airport last week. There were police asking people getting off the plane questions about what they are doing here and how long they are staying. Then the passport control guy wanted people to show how much money they have. This was in the queue for EU passport holders. They were probably worse in the queue for non EU passport holders. I dont know what all that was about but they let me go without further questions or showing my money when I said I live here. Something to do with the beer festival maybe??

kirk83

sasa raert
Post Count: 1

Msg: #11 43 days ago, November 27th 2008

hello there

i've live in italy and i've got visa chengen and i want to go to irland for holiday

what's the easiest way to get a visa for it

thanks

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5517

Msg: #12 43 days ago, November 27th 2008

Hello Sasa

I would contact the nearest Irish consulate to you and ask. You could also check the websites for of Irish consulates. They probably have a visa information page.

Mel

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