What Happens If You Overstay A Tourist Visa?
You may know the concept of a border run, that quick hop across an international border to reset a visa, but what happens when you overstay your tourist visa? The answer is that it depends on several key factors, the passport you’re carrying, the country in question, and how long you’ve overstayed your visa. For most travelers with a US, Canadian, or European Union (EU) passport, it can be easy to overstay a tourist visa without realizing it, since most countries don’t require a visa application from you prior to entry. In fact, if you’re on an RTW, it’s easy to lose track, and here’s some information on what happens and what you can do.
Poof! Nothing Happens Right Away
It’s not that storm troopers are going to bust down your hotel door the second you’re visa expires or stop you in parking lot. In fact, in most cases nothing will happen for a long time. Technically speaking, overstaying a tourist visa for more that 180 days in the US is grounds for deportation and inside the Schengen area is not permitted. While it is never good to overstay a visa, generally you won’t run into problems until you leave and try to reenter that particular country.
- It’s at passport control where your overstay is most likely to be a problem
- If you’re headed to Europe you’ll want to read up on the Schengen Agreement.
- Each country has different penalties for those that overstay their tourist visas.
Once you’ve overstayed a tourist visa you lose your credibility at the border and can be denied entry based on the fact you’ve overstayed a previous tourist visa.
Your Nationality Is Important
Many US citizens frequently overstay their European visas (since they don’t realize you can only be in the Schengen area for 90 days out of each 180) and are allowed reentry. US passports aren’t carefully scrutinized in Europe and in the US your results may vary. With a return ticket and valid reason for entry (for those who’ve overstayed a previous visa) generally most EU citizens won’t have trouble reentering the US. Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, and a few other nationals also likely won’t face difficulties reentering assuming the initial overstay wasn’t too long.
- If you had to apply for a visa prior to your visit, you’re more likely to encounter problems when reapplying.
Generally speaking, countries aren’t worried about an influx of tourists, they’re more worried about people coming on a tourist visa and never leaving. Typically this type of overstay isn’t associated with EU, US, Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand nationals.
How Long Did You Overstay?
That’s an important factor the person checking your passport upon reentry will be looking for. Did you overstay your tourist visa for a few days or months? They may ask you the reason for your overstay or why you want to reenter the country. The shorter the overstay the better but not overstaying at all is best.
Reentry Is The Issue
Even if you overstay a visa and are admitted on your next trip to the same country, on your third time there you may still be denied entry based on the fact you did overstay one of your visas. That’s up to the passport control officer (or embassy issuing visas) to determine. It all depends on how closely your passport stamps are inspected. That can vary based on the time of day you enter (late at night officers tend to be less diligent), the person in front of you (what passport did they have and if it took a long time), along with your passport and what you look like.
You’re best bet is to never overstay a tourist visa and find out the requirements that apply to you by checking out the specific country’s embassy website. That’s the only way to guarantee you won’t be denied entry with another valid tourist visa or encounter problems based on your previous negligence at the border.
[photos by: jaaron (passport stamps), t0msk (baby holding passport)]
Hi,i have been living in thailand(Koh Samui & Bangkok) for 2 an half years,i only had a 3 month tourist visa to start with,when that run out i was doing border bounces or visa runs to the malysian border paying small overstays but that only entitled me to 15 days extra each time,so overtime i had built up 6 monthes overstay with whitch i had to pay 20,000 bht,but still only given me 15 days.
This time i have overstay of 7 months.my question is is there another way i can get an extention to my visa or change my visa,and not have to pay as much as the 20,000 bht.wha t options are there.Im from the U.K.?
Why don’t you try to get a resident or long term travel visa?
Hi,tyhanks for your reply.that would be ideal,can i aply for them type’s of visa from within Thailand or do i still have to go back to the U.K,AND HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IT WILL COST?.WIL I STILL HAVE TO PAY THE OVERSTAY.??
Many thanks
Scott
Call the UK embassy there, they’ll be a good source to start for the initial info.
Yes hi i’m an american and was wondering what would happen if i overstayed in the uk indefinitely? i’m caucasian and i look european. would there be any problems?
You’d be staying illegally in a foreign country; it could easily cause problems, no matter what you look like.
would they come hunt me down like the gestapo? i’m a bit ignorant.
No, that won’t happen. Your biggest problems will be if you try to leave or re-enter; and some other points where you’d cross paths with government bureaucracy.
thanks alot for the help!!
Hi,
I am an Indian citizen living in New zealand. I came here for study in 2008. Now I am overstaying here for nearly 6 weeks.I applied for work visa which got declined on 16 May 2011. And i came to know about it on 18 May when i received my passport. On the same day i went to an Immigration adviser, explained him evrything and told him apply for tourist visa asap. He misguided me, wasted my time and wrote a letter to immigration on 31st May 2011 to reconsider my work visa application for which i was not eligible at all. Then I spoke to another lawyer about my case and she told me to apply for student or tourist visa asap. Then i reapplied for Student Visa on 17 June 2011. Now its been 6 weeks,m waiting for reply. will there be any problem if i apply for canadian visa ? Thanks
I’m very confused by your situation – where did Canada come from? Either way, it’s well beyond travel visas. Sorry I can’t be of any help.
Hi Anil, I am an American and came to France with my fiance (also an American) on a one-year tourist visa that expires on July 7. My now husband came here on a work visa. We got married in the U.S. in December but I did not apply for a change of staus as I was told that I wold have to return to the U.S. to do so (I have received conflicting opinions on that). We are scheduled to move out our apartment in France on July 29 and then need to go to the Netherlands for an event. Do you think I will have trouble 1)getting into the Netherlands and 2)reentering France before returning to the U.S.? I am going to try to get an extension to my visitor visa but the process is daunting, confusing, and not guaranteed to give me an extension. TIA for you help!
It’s possible on the way out of France you could be subject to a fine or not allowed entry into the Netherlands; the likelihood though either or both happening though is anybody’s guess. Getting an extension is the only guarantee.
Thanks for your quick reply. I will let you know if I am able to get the extension.
HI, A friend has to leave the country the 1 of July, that´s the day that his visa expires but he only was able to find a ticket for the 2 of July at 9 am, he´s going back to his country to extend the UK student visa, it will be a problem if he overstay just a few hours ??? He has to pay a fine? when you leave there is not a Migraciones office at the airport, how they are going to know when he leave the country?
Thanks for your help
All of the above is possible.
Anil
I need to know what would happen if I crossed into USA from Canada with my Visa pending at the American Consulate in Montreal.Its going to be about 3 months before my interview can be set. Will this affect my Visa ?I own a home in the states and need to be there for financial reasons.
I hope you can help me out
Julia
You’re applying for permanent residency? It should say on the paperwork whether or not you can enter the US prior; though I’m guessing not.
Yes , for the K1 Visa I believe..where on the paper work would that be found ? Our lawyer has all the info.
One lawyer has said its ok to cross,and our lawyer is saying no, not to try cause it will affect my case if I get red flagged. The other lawyer said that as long as I had proof of reason to come back to Cnanda , then it should not be a problem.
Im scared to try, but I really cant handle waiting anymore . It has been almost a year now.
You lawyer should be able to tell you absolutely whether or not you can leave the country in your present situation. That’s why you pay them that much money; sounds a bit like you’re looking for the answer you want to hear. Get the definite regulations and rules – from there it’s all your decision. Good luck.
I will be visiting a friend in the uk as a first time flyer. from the usa. my visit will be 2 weeks. they? are allowing me to stay with them for free for the two weeks that i’m there. and will provide me with food. and i will have 100 pounds in cash 1000 usd on my debit card and a round trip ticket back. do u see any problems with this? because i’ve heard some people have been sent back for no reason at all. any help would be much appreciated. i’m just very nervous about all this its FEW WEEKS away. thanks again. btw i will have a resent bank statement proving i have 1000$$ stamped by my bank. thank u again!
2 weeks on a tourist visa you won’t almost definitely won’t face any problems upon entry. As a US citizen they’re very unlikely to ask you for bank statements or anything other than the standard, ‘where are you staying’ ‘why are you here’ type questions.
Thank u so much! just one more thing will Travel Insurance better my chances of getting in or will it make no difference?
Nope, it won’t make a difference.
Hey Anil i’m still worried of being refused into the uk for my 2 week visit to my friends. i don’t have any real ties to the US. except family and my dogs my grandmother is watching for me. someone said this was 38, married but separated, 5 children (4 under 18), owned property in the US, bred dogs, essentially I had a LOT of ties to the US. I also had a return ticket. I entered the UK, to visit a friend (who is now my husband). I ended up being detained, questioned (interrogated is more like it) for over 5 hours. I was officially refused entry, they kept my passport but allowed me to enter the UK for 3 days.
Now, with my strong ties, I was denied. I was middle aged, with kids, and could not stay in the UK to get married if I had wanted to because I was legally married although separated. Do you think YOU have stronger ties? See what I mean. I am not saying you will be stopped, or pulled to the side or even refused entry. What I am saying is be prepared for it, it is a very real possibility. The UK refuses entry to thousands of Americans every year, and sends them straight home. Happens every day. i would like to no the odds of me being denied. i’m 22 i have everything i need to enter the uk like return ticket bank statements a place where i’ll be staying. what are the odds. and if they do deny me what can i do to refuse to take a plane back? any advise will be truly helpful. i’m truly nervous i don’t want the money i’ve been saving for 8 months to go to waste. i’m sorry to pester you.
I honestly don’t know what the odds are; typically on a US passport, no criminal record, etc. entry should be fairly routine. Also, where are you getting your statistics for the, “UK refuses entry to thousands of Americans every year, and sends them straight home. Happens every day.”?
That said, if you are *this* concerned you won’t be allowed entry, call the nearest UK embassy in the US for more information.
Thank u anil. sorry to pester u. this will be the last time i bother u. !!
It’s not a bother, I hope it all works out for you. Good luck!
Thanks! good luck to u as well!
Hello i’m wondering what immigration will ask me when i arrive for my 2 week holiday in the uk. i’m from the usa.
Hi Steph, I believe they mention it on their US embassy site but it’s usually the basics – why are you visiting, how long are you here, what do you do for a living type questions.
Will being unemployed and not going to school be a problem?
Typically coming from the US and only for a 2 week stay it won’t.
Would booking a hotel in the uk for my holiday be better then telling immigration i will be staying With a friend?. because they will think i’m going to see a lover. which i’m not. so would booking a hotel give me better chance to injoying my holiday? i got 1000 usd$$ on my debit card return ticket. 100 pounds in cash. i just dont want to be sent back because i’m 22. so having a itinerary and a booked hotel be better then saying i’m staying with friends for my 2 week holiday and going sightseeing with them?i have a bank statement as well
You should be fine assuming you have a visa (if you need one), just have your friend’s address handy.
I’m working legally in the UK. My problem is a relative pitched up at my place several weeks back and has overstayed her tourist visa by at least 6 months. As far as I know she’s not indulged in any illegal activities(minus the overstaying). Because of family ties back home(Malaysia) I’ve agreed to fund the cost of her plane ticket back to Malaysia. She’ll be leaving very soon. I presume that she’ll be flagged up at Heathrow on the way out. The ticket can easily be traced back to me(credit card). Am I going to get into serious trouble for all this? I can’t turn her out of my house because she’s a relative. I am getting ulcers thinking about the possible repercussions.
Honestly I’m not sure what the implications are; and don’t want to take a poor guess. Check the UK immigration office’s website, they might have good information for you to start with.
Here’s a doozie,
I work for an American company that also has a compnay in France. I was sent over to France to run our French office. Before I left, I went to the French consulate in Miami and presented my documents along with those of my son who would be travelling with me.
They were denied and I was told that I was applying for the wrong visa. Unfortunately, the man that I saw didn’t speak much English so I was unable to get a full description of what I actually needed.
Upon returning to my office, I was told by my boss that she had just found out that our French Accountants would be able to handle the visa process for us.
Of course, that didn’t work out. The paperwork was returned not once, but twice as imconplete. Now, not only am I overstayed and working illegally in the country. So is my nanny and my son (all American).
We now have a French lawyer working for us but now, I’m wondering if I’m going to be able to re-enter the EU in the future. I’m trying to figure out what kind of CYA measures that I need to take to make sure that I’m allowed back.
One thing I’m considering is telling my boss is that I will no longer be available to work in the office. The problem is, is that I’m afraid that if I don’t work, that I won’t get paid and I’m a single mom so there’s no food on the table if I’m not earning a paycheck.
While it sounds like I have a great high paying job because I’ve been sent to a foreign county to work, I assure you, I absolutely can not afford to not work.
There’s loads more to my conundrum but these are the very basics.
Any info would be very much appreciated.
Thx
Hi Marie,
I wish I could be of some help, but unfortunately your situation is way beyond simple travel visas. You lawyer should be able to answer all of these questions for you and is the best resource to ask. You should also push you company to help you sort things out logistically since they are the ones responsible for sending you in the first place.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help but I wish you the best of luck.
-Anil
Hi Anil.. I am currently in Australia on a holiday working visa that expires the 31st of this month. I cant afford a plane ticket back to Canada until around the 3rd.. What I am wondering is I now have an Australian boyfriend that he and I will be applying for a defacto relationship in December.. Will those 3 days cause a hassle with my reenty or application in the future? Also I tried to get a tourist visa in the country and also outside (I just got back from Auckland) Stupidly I told the one in country I wanted to stay to be with my boyfriend and then switch over to the defacto.. Even though it wasnt processed, the old dragon sold me upstream.. What is your opinion?
Thanks so much
Sage
Hi Sage, the Australian immigration site will likely have information about what happens if you overstay. I’d avoid doing so it at all possible.
HI
I’m mexican and I just got married to a u.s. citizen. My tourist visa expires in less than a month and we are going to apply for the green card but I don’t know if I will have trouble since my visa will expire in the middle of that process… I will get a I-94 this week which will let me stay legally in the States for six months but still, my visa expires soon, am I going to get in trouble?
thanks
The I-94 should have details on whether you can continue the process from inside the country or not. I’m not exactly sure to be honest; best bet is to check the INS website.
I will have overstayed it by about a week after next week. There is nothing I can do about it now because I must remain through next weekend. I only want to know which country is best to fly out of for less chance of penalty? I had a German residence that expired last year, but now I live in Turkey? I read that Italy and France are countries that may not penalize me. But if I DO manage to get out without a fine, should I ALWAYS fly back into the EU through those countries? I am in Hamburg now, go to Berlin this weekend, and then from there I don’t know whether to take a car to Paris and fly out, OR fly out from a city in Italy.
Where are you from?
Chances are going to another country to avoid a fine will be the equivalent of the fine in travel costs; and you don’t guarantee not being fined or potentially facing a ban. Leave as you had planned (hopefully as soon as possible) and if you’re asked about it at passport control be honest and say you screwed up. A direct answer might get you around a fine depending on the officer you happen to get.
Hi,
Thanks for answering. I am American and have (or had) lived in Germany for 7 years until last year. My residence permit is now expired, and to put it bluntly, I am black and Germans are not the most accommodating to people that look like me. I have had bad experiences with officials there before and I am leaning towards flying out of Warsaw or Italy because of that.
I understand where you’re coming from; just do a cost comparison (what the potential total fine is vs the costs of traveling to another departure point). It’s often the luck of the officer you get and how hard of a time they give they person in front of you. (Usually they speed up when someone right before you takes a longer time – good for you upon exit.)
I hope though you’ll keep in touch and let me know what you decide and how it goes.
Best of luck,
-Anil
Hola,
I am leaning towards flying out of Warsaw as of now. If I maange to get out unscathed and I want to return to EU (after a few months, of course), should I always fly into a country other than Germany or Switzerland? And if there is a fine, how much IS it? And how long would I have to pay it off? I am scared I will get a 3 year band and that would be detrimental to me!
It will help as passport control tends to look at stamps from their home country – but it’s just a tendency. Technically in the Schengen Zone it doesn’t matter; to find out the specific penalties for each country on their embassy websites. The information is usually buried in there.
Hi Anil, I’m a white american who has overstayed my travel visa by almost a year. I’m in Austria and I have a job working for a european web programmer who’s clients are american, so they are the ones who pay me. Recently my boss mentioned to me that we should look into getting me a work visa so I can stay legally. Here are my questions:
~ Do you know if I would have to go back to the States first before I get a work visa and/or residency? Or could I stay here and do all the paperwork with an overstayed u.s. passport?
~ I originally flew into Spain and thought about flying out of spain when I leave Schengen (even though I’d have to get to spain from austria), but as you said above, the travel cost might not be worth it if I get a fine. Do you think it’s worth flying out of the country I flew into (spain) so that I don’t get banned on the country I’d prefer to return to (austria) in the future?
Hi Ryan, when is your company going to pursue your long-term visa? There initial chat with the immigration lawyer will give you the specific answers to your questions. I’m not sure if the process can be done in country but generally in Europe that’s the case. Double-check to confirm of course.
I think rather soon. I’m just worried that the immigration people would have to check my current passport and then they’d see that I’ve overstayed. Perhaps they could not only deny me but also deport me…
I’m betting that you can initiate the process from within the country but be sure to get your company to do the legwork and get specific details for your case. Best of luck.
Hi Anil,
I recently accepted a position as an Au Pair with a family living in a small city in western Spain and am concerned about going without a visa. I will be staying for ten and a half month. I spoke with another American, living in Madrid illegally for a year as an Au Pair, and she told me not to bother with a visa because she was denied twice and knows plenty of Americans living without a visa. I leave in a month and will be arriving with a one way ticket. After my 90 days should I just avoid leaving Spain until I return to the US? What should be my biggest concerns and what is the worst case scenario… jail time? fines? deportation? ban from Spain? from Europe?
Any information is helpful and appreciated.
Hi Jess – unless you’ve got a great reason, in general it’s not a good idea to knowingly overstay a visa no matter where you are. You end up putting yourself at the mercy of the laws and officers you come across without much to argue in your favor.
Are you going through one of the au pair agencies? If so, they should have handled the visa process for you.
Hi Anil,
I am a Singaporean, overstayed in Malaysia for 2 days, because I forgot about the 30 days tourist visa. How do I go about it? Go to Embassy first?
Hi Nick,
Do you already have a ticket out of the country? Best advice is to leave as soon as possible unless you have plans to stay for a much longer period of time (applying for a resident visa or such).
I have a girlfriend living and working in Brazil. She has overstayed her 6 mo. Visa for about one month. I have a US Corporation here and would like to sponsor her (and a few of her new friends) as a contracted employee. What would I have to do to get her a business visa that does not require her to come back and forth to the US for every extension?
What is her citizenship?
Either way, if the company is handling the visa, they should have a lawyer on hand who can give her the answers to her specific questions. I’d start there.
HI Anil,
I went to US on student visa. I overstayed there. Okie I got into hand of immigration. I requested for a voluntary departure, and I was granted. I had 180 days to fly out of US. I have left USA within few days. Now I am applying for a student visa to Canada. I have been to Canada twice when I was in USA, because I had a one year multiple entry tourist visa to Canada, and now its expiered as well. Okie Now I am applying for a visa to Canada will that matter applying for a student visa to Canada ?.. i also had a ticked for possessing less than a gram of marijuana, but I came back to Home country ( India) without paying a ticket. Please tell me if I can apply for student visa to Canada.I have a clean record in Canada ..I have been there twice on my tourist visa.
I have no idea, you situation is way beyond tourist visas.
Hi, im a colombian citizen and i just got the visa to function as a au pair in denmark. Now im in denmark(copenhaguen) i have one month here already but i dont like the way that my host family treats me, im supposed to work 5 hours per day and im actually working the whole day. i have decided to move to leave my host family and move spain since i have my aunt living there and dont come back to denmark anymore… will there be any problems if i do that? will my host family do somethings against that ? will they cancel my visa as au pair ? i really need to get an answer . take care
I have no idea how your host family will react – if you’re going through an au pair agency, contact then to see if they can place you with another family.
hi there! this is my second time in the uk as visitor (tourist) and i am from morocco, i am with my british boyfriend for about 4 years but we live 6 months in morocco and i apply for tourist visa for six months so we live six months in morocco and six months in the uk. Now we want to get married and we found a lot of problems to do it in morocco due to religion so we decided to get married in the uk but i am on tourist visa and i am attending to leave the uk on the end of my visit. is there any way to get married in the uk on visitor visa? and have anyone did it before? regards Sally.
Sally, check out the UK’s office of immigration website, they’ll have some information there and I’d strongly recommend talking to an immigration lawyer for your case. Good luck!
Hi Anil, thank you very much for your reply, cheers! Sally.
hi there, i am an au pair from the uk, working in the netherlands. i want to stay another year as an au pair however the au pair sites say if you have been an au pair for a year and stayed on a residence permit you can not. but i am from the eu so i never needed a residence permit, it doesnt say anything about this though..can you help?
Are you going through an au pair agency? If so, give them a call to find out.
Can anybody who knows about American laws and regulations tell me if a person can enter into the USA with visiting visa and then find a job,something like a caregiver and then get permanent visa in the USA ?
Technically it is not allowed but don’t take my word for it, check the US immigration website.
If the person over stays with his/her visiting visa will he/she be sent immediately back to his/her native country without any inquiry or harm ? As far as I know people who enter Europe and when caught after over staying they aren’t sent back
The two aren’t mutually exclusive, best to check specifics.
hi there i have a problem , i came to the usa on januray to be married and we split up before we got married she is an American and came on a tourist visa from the uk my return was in may and i have no money for a return flight i have $400 left and i will be homeless this friday 27th 08 2011 now i have a huge problem i have no money and no family to help me get back to the uk i have over stayed my visa by nearly 4 months and i dont know what to do is there any one out there got any idear what i can do i live in eau cliare W.I i havent sleept in weks worrying about this … i just some luck and a ticket back to the uk .. thanks for listening … i need to get back to scotland and i dont know how or what to do thanks
Tough situation and I feel for you but can’t be of much help. Best of luck…
Hey in March this year I went to visit London, arriving by gatwick. They (uk border agency) refused me entry and banned me for 1 year – i’m still in the process of appealing. There is a letter on file with them basically stating i abused nhs. (got sick went to the hospital was admitted and the dr. did not charge me) so i’m being labeeled as an abuser of their health system. I’m an artist and they went on my fan page and found shows i promoted and accused me of working. They said that i do not appear to be a woman of means and that they do not believe i would not over stay or try to access public funds. Things that in my many trips and stays in london i have never done. I’ve never done anything illegal or overstayed or abused anything of the sort in my life. It was a really disgusting and traumatic experience, i was detained for 16hrs and then because they didn’t have a flight for me I was held 3 days in a detention center. It was such a nightmare – i find it hard to even think about.
Anyways, my question is, in my passport there is now a dated stamp that they have crossed out, it has a t shaped cross on it. Will this cause me problems when flying to other countries? I just can’t go through anything like that again…especially on their account.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely Leah
It should not cause any problems when traveling to other countries but it might certainly be something you’re asked about by other officials. The easiest way to get around the added scrutiny is to renew your passport so you don’t have that stamp in it.
Thank you, much appreciated.
I enter india with student visa in july 2008. My visa runs out when i finish my study in 2010. it has been almost a year since my visa expires. Now i want to leave india as soon as possible. what should i do and what is the penalty for my crime?
I’m not sure, this thread is about overstaying general travel visas. Check out the Indian immigration website for more information.
I’ve over-stayed in Singapore once (not on Visa, but passport expiration), and upon leaving Singapore for Malaysia, the SG custom officer was so nice to advise me to better don’t leave the country, but to get my passport renewed first at the Malaysian embassy in Singapore. I know this is different scenario from your post, but still I really appreciate the officer’s goodwill. I really didn’t know that my passport has expired, not that I’m on purpose…
Always great to hear stories like that, glad you didn’t have to face any fines or additional trouble.
My daughter(US citizen) went to Italy with no Visa- only on her passport. She has only been there 1 week. She wanted to see her University and the place she will be living-She mailed me her passport and I am going to mail to Italian Embassy in Miami with her student visa application. I will mail her passport back to her as soon as I get it back from Embassy. We have tried a couple of times and the Embassy has asked for more info- but finally we have all of the paperwork in order- just a matter of mailing to Miami Italian Embassy. We know they accept mailed applications but they do not accept phone calls and their email answers are short and don’t give much info, plus we do not want to red flag her- therefore- a few questions:
1) will they give her a Visa knowing she is still in Italy? or will they
make her come home to apply (seeing from her passport that she is still there)?
2) if they do, will she have to fly home to get it and leave USA with it or can she fly out of Italy and leave a non Schengen country with it?
3) will she have to wait 90 days or can she immediately return to Italy with a student visa?
4) are Visas just stamps on passports or separate documents?
Thanks for any help you can give us- we have been working on this for several months- especially need to know about number 3
I can’t say with absolute certainty so take my advice as suggestion only. On the first point, probably not. Second, on the application or Italian embassy website it will say whether or not you can apply from within Italy, I’m not sure on that one.
As for the third, once the visa is approved she can enter on the date (or after) it is valid. Finally, on the fourth, it depends, but usually anything other than a travel visa comes with some other documentation the traveler needs to carry, in addition to a passport stamp or sticker. It varies from country to country.
Hope this helps!
Hiya!
I overstayed my visa to South Africa last year and have not paid the fine yet, I am flying back to SA Monday and was just wondering if I could pay the fine I recieved upon entry to SA? I’m just worried about being denied entry even though I’ll have the money ready waiting to pay my fine.
Thanks x
Hi Charlotte, I’m not sure at all. Did they assess you a fine upon leaving? What does the documentation say?
I am having a problem I am an American citizen and I am married to a Germany Citizen and we got married in Germany.I was in america for 3 months visiting my parents and then I went back to Germany and I got there in March. Well my husband didn’t registered me in the three months that I was there and now they told me I had to leave Germany because I was there over the 90-day period and now I am back in America and I was wondering if I could go back not having a problem since I am married over there?
I’m not sure, that’s beyond tourist visas. As far as a travel visa, you only get 90 days out of every 180.
Hi.
I overstayed my American tourist visa in EU by about 20 days. I am flying from Warsaw to Riga and then to Istanbul, where I live now and have residency. What is likely to happen? If I have a fine, how much would it be? is it likely that I will be banned from the EU for three years? I am frantic over this and don’t want a ban. Or even a fine. Please advise
Check the immigration website of the EU country you’ll be leaving from, it is likely to have specifics on fines and potential bans. You’re almost certainly subject to both but I can’t say as far as the likelihood of ether happening. Good luck!
Hi Anid,
I am an American who came to Spain to open a business with a spanish partner. I came on with my passport only. I came in June and in Sept my 90 days are up!
My question are the following:
1). Can I leave Spain to go back to USA and reenter Spain? How long do I need to stay in the USA?
2). On my return to Spain will they question why i Am coming so soon?
3). Would it be better to leave and come back or ask for an extension? Have not passed the 90 days yet!
4). If having established a company in Spain help me in any way to ask for residency?
Please help, thanks!
1. Yes, but only after 90 days.
2. You’re only allowed 90 days out of every 180.
3. Depends on your intentions. You can apply for a longer travel visa.
4. I’m not sure.
Hope this helps
Hi,
Heres’ a complicated one for you. I want to move to the US permanently. I’m a UK citizen & never been to the states. Under some new ‘Freindly Partners’ rule, I can stay in the US for 3 months & have to return. I uderstand from the US Imig. Websites that I need a 6 month visa & an I-94 to work there. (I have work offered but not with a corporation). My goal is to travel to the US, work, save up & stay (Residency)…So, will they ick me out after 6 months? If they do, will they refuse me re-entry? I have heard so many stories of illegals living in the States & being granted citizenship, without being deported!! How?
Do I need to preove to the US authorities that I have any savings? If so how much?
There is more to my ‘wanting’ to go there (Girlfriend is US Citizen), but doesn’t seem relevent to my immediate needs! Thank you for your help.
I’m not completely sure but if you want to stay in the US long-term, get the proper visa. If you are deported for whatever reason, getting back in or a visa is going to be very difficult.
hi Anil, i would appreciate if u can enlighten me with this, my friend was in the USA on a visitor’s visa, but overstayed there because of health problem – she went through surgeries, then had to do follow ups. she had a 10 year visa which will expire later this year, can she return to the USA?
I’m not sure, depends on the specific type of visa. If returning to the US is essential (for work or otherwise) best to talk to an immigration lawyer for certainty.
This is Han from Taiwan. I get married to a dutch citizen this July, but I hold tourist visa and overstay a month. last month I back to my own country, but I need to have test to fell in MVV, but I didnt pass. just few days ago my wife told me her father get cancel, so there is any way I can go back again just stay a short time?
Contact the Dutch embassy to find out.
Thank you for the answer.
NTIO ( Dutch office ) in Taiwan they will just say I do not know I believe that, so do you think if we call IND in Netherlands is better? sorry for disturb and thank you.
Hi Han, it’s never a bother – I would start with the office in Taiwan before calling over to the Netherlands. Be persistent though, one of them will have the answer to your specific situation, good luck.
Hi Anil,
Do you know where I can check if I am in SIS system or not?
Hi Han, sorry I do not.
One more question… 90 days out of 180 days is mean after 90 days I must leave and wait another 90 days then I can return right? like I left Holland on 8th Aug and I can return on 9th Nov right? and I already overstay, so I can still try that way?
Yes on your first two questions and ‘maybe’ on the third. Check the Dutch embassy website and look up their visa requirements (it should list penalties for overstaying).
i am a us citizen on a tourist visa in india. it expires on sept 29th, if i leave the country before sept 29th, does this restart my visa over again. i have a 10 year multiple entry visa. thanks.
You should confirm this with the visa office, but generally, no. You have 10 years from when the visa was issued, there should be an expiration date on it.
per India’s visa regulations, it states you can only stay for six months, then you must leave for two months and come back. so this is why if i left before the six months, does it restart when i re-enter the country after visiting another country for a few days.
I’m not sure honestly and your best bet is to call the office where you received the visa for the most accurate information.
Hi,
just wondering.my bf came here, to Canada, from Germany as a visitor and was only 2 stay 6 months. I had applied for extension at 4 months and he was denied becuz of improper docs…we reapplied and were told to await the second letter for approval. Well, after months, we finally got the second and it was too denied. It all took a year… we wanted to get married and were told why didn’t u do that first? Well, i went by everything the immigration told me and followed it strictly. Now, he’s been here 2 years and is 1 and a half years over his limit.
Does anyone know what the penalties could be, as he does want to go back and start over. What can I do? Do I go over there with him or will they allow me? We’ve been together 2 years and I do believe that is commonlaw, right?
I am really new to all of this, as I’ve never been with someone outside my country before and never had to go thru it, but I’m not getting any further ahead with the immigration and when i call all those immigration lawyers, they tell me for $7000, he doesn’t have to leave the country and he’ll get everything within a year… i don’t believe them becuz he’s here illegally. HELPPPPPP…. thank you!
You should try to get a consulting appointment with a lawyer. It’s usually no near $7,000 (more like $250-500) for an hour of their time in Canada. They may help guide you to what you need more accurately. Also, seeing as you’ve been denied twice, I think it’s worth a good lawyer in your case. Not only does it significantly increase your chance of success and save you from subsequent attempts and potential failures; but it will also take much of the stress off you both as the lawyer takes care of all the headaches during it all.
Question
My friend stay in spain over a year, but she never appy for a Visa, when she left trought switzerland she got a fine and they made her sign some papers , ¿what does this papers means, what are the implications?, ¿can she come back to europe?.
It is any solution to this problem , does she will be forbidden to entry anytime to spain/Europe.
Call the numbers on the forms for more information for specific information.
Just by curiosity, how much was the fine, Rafael?
Hi Anil,
Thank you for your advice and I was listen your advice to call IND in Netherlands to check I am in SIS system or not. I called and officer in IND gave me a fax number to ask if I am in SIS system or not, but I sent for few days I do not get any answer also I went to IND website to leave them some messages even my wife did that also get no reply, so I have no idea what to do anymore. I just know that IND officer told me when I over stay in Netherlands they should told me I will be in SIS system or not or pay fine or give me some papers, but I got nothing. when I arrive in the airport the officer ask me why I am overstay and I just said I overstay because of married and I do not want to be illegal here, so I go back to have exam for fell in MVV and then he took my possport to another room then return my passport said you can go. he didnt ask me to pay the fine and dont give me any papers to sign, so Anil what do you think about that
Is there any way you can go to the closest embassy?
In Taiwan the embassy is really far far away.
So do you think when I left in Holland the police officer did not ask me to pay fine and let me sign the documents means maybe when I try to re-enter to Holland on November them will do those things?
I’m honestly not sure; I would keep trying the embassy for more accurate information.
Hey anil can you help me or give me any answers on what to do Iam a new Zealand citizen in Toronto Canada I was due to return to nz in April and it’s September now and Iam an overstayer for quiet a few months I had family issues and just wanted to stay away for a while now I want to go back to nz but don’t know how can I just buy a one way ticket back to nz ? I don’t want to return here any time soon will I have problems returning to nz in the next few months ?
You may face a fine and potential ban on the way out in Canada.
Anil what are the chances of me getting a fine and a ban on the way out of Canada ? how will they know if iam an overstayer? i have information from other websites and personal that no one will know your an overstayer unless you try to re-enter. so aparantly i can just fly back to NZ without any problems but if i try come back to canada il get questioned by canadian custom officials to why i had overstayed duration of months last time i came to canada. is this correct and should i just expect the fine and ban and hope nothing else will happen i really dont have an answer if i get questioned on the way out to why i have overstayed.
this is the information i found on a website http://www.justlanded.com/english/Canada/Articles/Visas-Permits/Exit-strategy-needed-for-illegals
in this website if u scroll down a little you will see this article.
“Q: Can you tell me what happens if you leave the country after your status expires? Are there any penalties? Will there be any issues going through the US?
A: When you arrive in Canada the officer at the port-of-entry determines how long you will be allowed to stay in Canada. Usually this is 6 months.
In the normal case, no one from the Canadian government will diarize this date to see if you leave on time. Essentially, you are admitted on the honour system i.e. we trust that you will leave when you are supposed to. If border officials wish to exercise some control over you, they will issue a visitor’s record to you which they will staple in your passport. You will be asked to verify your departure upon leaving Canada. If you don’t, they will come looking for you.
Unlike some countries, Canada has no exit controls. That means, when you leave Canada, you will not be inspected by Canadian immigration officials who might discover your overstay in Canada.
However, should you come back to Canada, this may be discovered since border officials may be able to discover your previous overstay here by simply counting the days between your last admission to Canada and the next date in which you entered another country as evidenced by a port stamp in your passport. This could easily complicate your re-entry to Canada as the officer might conclude that you are not likely to comply with any time limits that might be imposed on your stay.” please anil let me know your thoughts on this website and its information and if its false or true and i should not worry and just leave in the next month or two as i have to arrange ticket to return
This is the official Canadian immigration site:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
As for what happens on your way out, it’s hard to say what the chances are. I’m guessing things are in your favor as a New Zealand resident. They can see your overstay by your passport stamps if they check. I would at this point plan to leave as soon as possible. Good luck.
Okay thank you for all your information.
I will try to asking my wife going to IND, because IND is not far from our home. I believe go there is good way, because no matter we call, email and fax all we get no reply. thanks again
It’s much harder for them to blow you off in person
Good luck!
Hello, my Boyfriend was granted a working visa for 1 year by his employer to the UK. I’m trying to meet up with my boyfriend and stay for the year also he has the means to support me, can he help me get the paper work started once there. Should I buy a round trip ticket? Or would a one way ticket be cause for hassles?
Call the appropriate embassy and find out what kind of visa you need.
Thank you.
Hello!
I hope you can help. My passport says I came into zurich on 20/04/2011. I am still in europe. I did go to romania for a week, and now I am in ITaly. I’m a US citizen. I wish to stay in europe for another 90 days or so, but obviously I’m over the first 90 days. I’m thinking of applying for a german student visa and actually do want to go to Berlin next week. I’m willing to do anything though to keep staying here in europe for at least another 90 days. any recommendations on what type of application and/or what is the easiest country to accomplish this in?
Thanks for your help!!
It really depends on your particular situation. Best bet is to simply get an extended travel visa, though it will be a bit more difficult if you’re already overstayed.
i have marred a girl from bangaldesh one who came in tourist visa for one mounth and after i married she did not went back now its more then 1 year what will happen
Talk to an immigration lawyer, as it’s well beyond travel visas.
I have an interesting sort of question, I’ve been staying with my boyfriend in Ireland since the 14th of July, I’m not up to my 90 days yet obviously but we’re trying to find a way to extend my stay (my return ticket is for the 5th of October). What we’ve been looking at is marriage, the only problem is after you apply to get married you have to wait no less than 3 months before you can actually get hitched. 90 days is a few days shy of that 3 month mark, so is there anyway to extend it so we can actually do this or do I have to go back either way? Another thing is, back home (I’m an American citizen) I don’t really have a place of residence, is there anyway I can claim ‘refuge’ or whatever you would call it and tell them I’ve no where to go back home? Ultimately we’d like to be married and get enough time for us to save up to both to go back to the US (his 1st time going, my returning more like, he is an Irish citizen) is there any sort of advice you can give me on this ridiculous sounding situation?
Simply apply for an extended travel visa, it’s the easiest solution in your case.