Overstaying on a Visa in Poland

atlantic wrote:

Well, this is what I plan on doing. I'll be leaving for Poland May 20th, and leaving Poland Sept. 1. About 101 days? THe way I'm understanding this is that I would spend say about 45 days in Poland then go to the Ukraine (which is very close to where I'll be in PL) for about 11 days, and then spend the rest of the 45 days in Poland. :)

atlanticThreads: 17 Posts: 56 Joined: Dec 8, 07	Mar 4, 08, 11:43 / #
What happens if one were to overstay in Poland (Over 3 months)? Say by about 10 days? I'd like to go to Poland for about 100 days. However, my Polish passport is currently getting renewed, so I probably won't get it in time. That just leaves me with a U.S. passport, for which I would have to get a visa for? How hard is it to get a Polish Visa? and can you get it at the time of entry or would I have to go to the consulate in NYC for it?

KowalskiThreads: 12 Posts: 619 Joined: Sep 13, 06	Mar 4, 08, 21:37 / #
American citizens don't need visa going to Poland. Consider during your stay leaving Schengen zone for short trip to Ukraine (?) otherwise you might be put on SIS database and that could lead to troubles when entering any EU country in future.

atlanticThreads: 17 Posts: 56 Joined: Dec 8, 07	Mar 4, 08, 22:25 / #
That's interesting. So just by going into Ukraine? I can stay over 90 days? I'll call the consulate tomorrow and see what they say. But, that does make sense. Thanks

inkrakow	Mar 5, 08, 02:08 / #
atlantic wrote: That's interesting. So just by going into Ukraine? I can stay over 90 days? Not quite - you can only stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days in any 180 day period but while you're out of the zone, the clock stops ticking. So by travelling to the Ukraine (or Switzerland or the UK or Ireland or Croatia etc) you will extend the amount of time you are in Europe, but you won't get another 90 days.

valmoe1Threads: 12 Posts: 58 Joined: Apr 1, 07	Mar 5, 08, 05:06 / #
The consulate will tell you it's not wise but I have been living here doing that a number of times. (I'll get my papers cleared about the time I am done here) It's a good excuse to travel and see the rest of Europe!

atlanticThreads: 17 Posts: 56 Joined: Dec 8, 07	Mar 5, 08, 13:06 / #
Well, this is what I plan on doing. I'll be leaving for Poland May 20th, and leaving Poland Sept. 1. About 101 days? THe way I'm understanding this is that I would spend say about 45 days in Poland then go to the Ukraine (which is very close to where I'll be in PL) for about 11 days, and then spend the rest of the 45 days in Poland. :)

jones101Threads: 1 Posts: 554 Joined: Jan 14, 08	Mar 5, 08, 14:24 / #
valmoe1 wrote: The consulate will tell you it's not wise but I have been living here doing that a number of times. (I'll get my papers cleared about the time I am done here) It's a good excuse to travel and see the rest of Europe! If you mean you have been breaking up your 90 days then yeah that will work. If you mean crossing out of the Schengen every 90 days and getting more time that is a thing of the past. As of January 1st. It is 90 out of 180 days as has been said above. It really is nonsense that this is the rule for the WHOLE Schengen as there are loads of countries in the zone and it makes it impossible for someone to take a long wandering trip anymore.

atlanticThreads: 17 Posts: 56 Joined: Dec 8, 07	Mar 5, 08, 21:26 / #
jones101 wrote: It really is nonsense that this is the rule for the WHOLE Schengen as there are loads of countries in the zone and it makes it impossible for someone to take a long wandering trip anymore. Seems like the EU is trying to isolate itself from everybody else, no?

HarryThreads: 62 Posts: 8,508 Joined: May 2, 07 [Suspended]	Mar 6, 08, 04:20 / #
atlantic wrote: Seems like the EU is trying to isolate itself from everybody else, no? The current EU rules are very similar to those of the USA. At least the EU doesn't fingerprint all visitors (unlike the USA).

jones101Threads: 1 Posts: 554 Joined: Jan 14, 08	Edited by: jones101 Mar 6, 08, 04:51 / #
Except the USA is ONE country and the EU/Schengen is not...one allowed period for an entire group of countries is not the same....good try though. Fingerprint me I could care less...just let me move about. In the long run it is the EU countries that lose revenue so they are hurting themselves as well.

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Mar 6, 08, 14:03 / #
Kowalski wrote: "countries" are irrelevant here. EU has no border checks. I had to show my ID and open up my bags on the train to Berlin last weekend. But they did seem to be looking for someone and something particular.

RanjThreads: 27 Posts: 1,286 Joined: Sep 29, 06	Mar 6, 08, 14:06 / #
Wroclaw wrote: they did seem to be looking for someone and something particular. I bet they took one look at you, Wroclaw, and decided you had an over abundance of donuts stashed away in your baggage;)

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Mar 6, 08, 14:22 / #
Ranj wrote: and decided you had an over abundance of donuts stashed away in your baggage;) One bag was actually filled with food, which seemed to amuse the German Zoll guy.

DaveyThreads: 17 Posts: 436 Joined: Jun 29, 07	Mar 6, 08, 14:34 / #
Harry wrote: the USA is 50 (plus Canada) That sounded weird. It's like ohh Canada, ya know, that big hunk of land over the USA

KowalskiThreads: 12 Posts: 619 Joined: Sep 13, 06	Mar 6, 08, 13:57 / #
"countries" are irrelevant here. EU has no border checks. If you have EU visa you can move around ...for 90 days.

jones101Threads: 1 Posts: 554 Joined: Jan 14, 08	Edited by: jones101 Mar 6, 08, 14:27 / #
Kowalski wrote: "countries" are irrelevant here. EU has no border checks. If you have EU visa you can move around ...for 90 days. Yeah you can move around within the EU...or more specifically Schengen which is many countries. That is my whole point. You used to have much more time as you had 90 days or so in each country. That has made long term travel in the EU a huge bother and is hardly comparable to the US which is ONE country.

HarryThreads: 62 Posts: 8,508 Joined: May 2, 07 [Suspended]	Mar 6, 08, 14:32 / #
jones101 wrote: considering the number of countries we are talking about. Why is the number of countries relevant? Isn't the land mass of the USA more than double that of the Schengen zone? Schengen is only 31 states, the USA is 50 (plus Canada).

jones101Threads: 1 Posts: 554 Joined: Jan 14, 08	Mar 6, 08, 14:35 / #
Why are you following me around again Harold. If the difference between one nation and 31 escapes you I can't help you.

KowalskiThreads: 12 Posts: 619 Joined: Sep 13, 06	Edited by: Kowalski Mar 6, 08, 16:15 / #
Harry wrote: eah you can move around within the EU...or more specifically Schengen which is many countries. That is my whole point. You used to have much more time as you had 90 days or so in each country. It should be longer then 90 days in my opinion. EU is paying off USA for their treatment of visitors from EU. I don't like myself the idea of allowing customs officials to ask for your ID without reason. It is illegal in Poland for police to ask for you ID without reason but customs officials are doing it on trains and elsewhere legally. The effect is we are checking anybody Chechen looking in Poland. The same applies to German customs who would ask for your ID hearing you don't speak German. Stupid.

jkn005Threads: 3 Posts: 166 Joined: Jan 29, 08	Mar 11, 08, 08:41 / #
atlantic wrote: Well, this is what I plan on doing. I'll be leaving for Poland May 20th, and leaving Poland Sept. 1. About 101 days? THe way I'm understanding this is that I would spend say about 45 days in Poland then go to the Ukraine (which is very close to where I'll be in PL) for about 11 days, and then spend the rest of the 45 days in Poland. :) That could work technically I guess. Sadly the crossing the border check to reset your 90 day visa doesn't work anymore. Lots of Americans who have lived here for an extended period of time have gotten caught out by this. So like myself we had to actually apply for temporary resident permits. You might want to check what the requirements are to enter the Ukraine though. That I have no knowledge of. Can't imagine it's much different then how Poland used to be though.

v99Threads: 4 Posts: 18 Joined: Mar 28, 08	Mar 30, 08, 16:46 / #
Thread attached on merging: Penalty for American overstaying 90 days? Does anyone know what they do when an American (I only says this because msot people tend to think rules for EU citizens and always say dont worry) tries to leave after staying past 90 days? I didnt do it intentionally but some bad circumstances delayed my departure. I know it sounds like an excuse but it is true. Will they fine me or hold me? Just slap my wrist? I dont want to risk missing the flight or having a big problem.

KennitzThreads: 8 Posts: 36 Joined: Mar 2, 08	Mar 30, 08, 17:00 / #
http://www.polishforums.com/overstaying_on_visa_poland-4_20331_0.html There is a thread resemling your topic. Hope it helps. I didn't read it through to see if your answer is there though.

v99Threads: 4 Posts: 18 Joined: Mar 28, 08	Edited by: v99 Mar 30, 08, 17:20 / #
I started a new thread because the answer is not here....does anyone know? Most people in this thread have outdated info about crossing borders etc...I cant just do that anymore.

KowalskiThreads: 12 Posts: 619 Joined: Sep 13, 06	Mar 30, 08, 18:58 / #
v99 wrote: Will they fine me or hold me? Just slap my wrist? I dont want to risk missing the flight or having a big problem. No fine, no slapping hands nor missing your flight but they are likely to put your name into computer data base.

Grzegorz_Threads: 81 Posts: 6,213 Joined: Nov 16, 06	Mar 30, 08, 23:15 / #
valmoe1 wrote: The consulate will tell you it's not wise but I have been living here doing that a number of times. This isn't legal anymore !