Comments on: 5 Things I Wish I Had Known Sooner in Planning my RTW

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:23:20 +0000

Tey – If you’re from a country that requires a visa, you can’t get in without it in the first place. For many people, such as those from the US, there’s no Schengen visa to apply for. Entry is allowed without applying for a visa, but the same 90 day restriction applies regardless. Is it possible that by leaving the Schengen region and coming back again that the border control won’t notice you’ve already stayed 2 months? Sure, it’s possible. I know several people who overstayed in a Schengen region by several months with no one making an issue of it. But it’s not legal to do so and a long overstay could lead to a ban on returning to one or more of the Schengen nations, even as far as a lifetime ban in some extreme cases. I really recommend you check into more details on how the Schengen treaty applies to your own country – I’m far from a legal expert on this.

By: Tey

Tey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:31:04 +0000

Hi Joel,
If let’s say I want to spend 5 months in the Schengen area. Can I apply for a Schengen Visa for month 3-5 (without handing in my passport). And after 2 months of being there, I return to the UK to collect the Schengen Visa, and then re-enter with it.
Just a random idea.
What’s the risk of it?

By: saffix

saffix — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:04:42 +0000

So if l used 3 month straight out then l have to leaved for 3 months before l get back frm any Schengen zone as well if l used 3 months in 6 months break in between month there and month here in 6 months l still need to be away frm Schengen zone for 3 months till l get back again…l just want to make sure lm not over stay..or coming back again when lm not supposed to be back..thank you Joel…:)

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:38:15 +0000

Nope, sorry, you can’t just do a visa run like you can in some countries. Out of 180 days, you have a maximum of 90 days to spend in the Schengen zone. You have to be outside of it for 90 days (though it could be broken up – one month in, one month out for 6 months). But the UK and Ireland are not part of the zone, so you could go there for 3 months and reset the clock.

By: saffix

saffix — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:25:14 +0000

Joel ..so if used my 90days in 180days so l just need to cross a border and back again to get my 90 days again is like that or l still have to leaved for 3 months till l can get my 90 days back again…

By: Joel

Joel — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:57:37 +0000

Joan – as a tourist, you can’t. You’d need a work or student visa, but even those are tied to a specific country.

The only option I’m aware of for staying in Europe for more than 3 months is traveling to countries not part of Shengen in between. For example, 3 months in Europe, then 3 months in the UK and Ireland, 3 more months in Europe, then Croatia, Morocco or others. Unfortunately most countries in Europe have adopted the Shengen treaty – good for border crossings, bad for extended stays.

By: Joan Seah

Joan Seah — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:41:49 +0000

Hey

How do you apply for one year of visa in Europe?

Thanks

By: Lois

Lois — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:29:57 +0000

Love that bit about Couchsurfing. I’m not close to doing an RTW yet, just India and the rest of SE Asia but Couchsurfing will definitely be on the list.
Lois´s last [type] ..Why Travel Wednesdays

By: What Happens If You Overstay A Tourist Visa? | foXnoMad

What Happens If You Overstay A Tourist Visa? | foXnoMad — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:23:45 +0000

[...] If you’re headed to Europe you’ll want to read up on the Schengen Agreement. [...]

By: Michael J

Michael J — Sun, 23 May 2010 05:17:46 +0000

Helpful advice. Now I know why my credit cards didn’t work at train stations or movie theater ticket machines in Europe last year. I never heard of the embedded chip. can we get a US card with it?