Extended Stay in Europe (Visas?)

You need to go to the websites for the countries you plan to stay in. You can get links at www.state.gov. I know this seems obvious, but the information and procedures are very specific to each country and you asked about "Europe".

Tony...that's probably because the requirements for visas of more than 90 days time vary from one European country to another, even within the Schengen zone, and also vary in what form they're offered. When you exceed that 90 day limit in the Schengen countries, you're no longer a "tourist," so you technically must take up "residence" in one of the member countries, so you need to apply for a visa. Generally speaking, a visa for up to six months will not allow you to work, and will require that you show proof of income to support yourself, that you have health insurance coverage, and that you have a return ticket home. In Schengen countries, these six-month visas allow you to reside in other Schengen countries for three months of that timeframe. There are different requirements for various other forms of visa....student, research, business, au pair, etc. Your best bet would be to visit the consular websites of several of your favourite European destinations to see which ones might be the least onerous. One alternative that has been suggested here is that, if you just plan to go touring, then schedule your time so you spend 90 days in Schengen countries, 90 days in non-Schengen countries, then another 90 days in Schengen countries....and on. That could keep you going indefinitely, without the need for all that extra paperwork. Of course, you won't be able to work all that time.

Doug / Norm: Thanks for your response. I've been reading web sites and seeing info similar to what you provided. But here's my confusion: an old posting on the Grafitti Wall (6/17/07)addresssed this topic. One response (by Andreas on 7/17/07)noted that you can extend the 90 day visa after arriving in a Shengen country. Another (by Paul n Sara on 7/21/07) noted that they traveled through Shengen countries for 6 months with no problems. Hence, the contridictions between what I'm reading on web sites and some of the previous responses on the Grafitti Wall. Tony

They changed some of the laws. It used to be, you could just pop out of the country, lets say to Switzerland for the day and pop back in. People were living here for years without a real visa. Now, it is harder. In Germany, about the easiest way to get a longer visa is to sign up for a serious German course and they will give you a 1 year visa to "study German" You don't have to take the course the whole year, so though it will cost you a bit initially, you at least have a visa. This visa will NOT allow you to work though. Were you looking to work in Europe or just travel in Europe?

Tony....yes, you can travel throughout Europe for more than 90 days, as Paul n Sara say they've done....if you check other travel forums for this same question, you'll see many similar responses from people who've done the same thing. But it's not legal. You asked what the requirements were...whether you decide you can slip past them is something you'll have to decide yourself. Things have tightened up as far as enforcement is concerned, as the number of illegal economic migrants grows, and as the economy takes a downturn in Europe. The risk is being sent home and banned from the Schengen area for a period of time....perhaps for good.

OK, I am going to ask a slightly different question. How does the 6 month work visa apply if you are working for an American company? What kind of visa would the spouse have to get?

Your company would have to have a local office in the European country, and it would have the paperwork done for you. It's much easier if your company has a European office....but they'd be the ones guiding you on what the rules are, not us. As for spouses, it has been my experience that they are allowed to reside in-country, but are not allowed to find work there.

Spouses and dependent children come over as dependents on a work permit. Depending on the country, spouses can work legally on this visa.

In Italy the spouse must file for a "spouse visa" if you are staying more than 90 days. To get one, you have to be "sponsored" by your significant other - so if they do not have their "visa", you cannot get yours. The "spouse" visa just allows you to stay in the country more than 90 days, and is tied to the time-frame of your spouse's visa - whatever kind they might have.

Italy has multiple types of work visas and these can take up to a year to get - Been there, done that! (14 months to be exact!)

Simply put - in for 90 days, then out for 90 days - or go get some type of visa in EU world - be it student, spouse, work, etc. Otherwise you're illegal. With the open borders many folks more easily violate this agreement.

Ciao,
Ron

It has been noted that what we did was illegal. This was never our intent, we simply paid no attention to the matter and were not called out on it.