- Time of past OR future Camino
- VDLP (2023); Le Puy (planned Sept/Oct 2024)
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Attending an intensive language school may be enough to apply for a "student" visa. Definitely something toiok into.I'm aware that variations of this question have been asked/posted previously, but I can't find an answer to my specific question, so here goes (and apologies in advance if it has been answered somewhere and I missed it).
All being well, next year I wish to spend 5 weeks or so undertaking an intensive Spanish language course in Salamanca, and then make my way down to Sevilla to start a 7-week or so stroll along the VDLP. Allowing for a bit of time before and after, I'm likely to fall over the 90-day Schengen visa limit by a week or so.
I know that Schengen visas can't be extended, so that leaves me looking for another visa type. Since I don't want to work, or formally study, my research tells me that my only option is to apply for a long term visa which becomes a precursor to Spanish residency, even though that's not an option which I am considering.
Has anyone else dealt with this issue, or can advise me? Of course the easiest path is simply to trim the cloth to fit the 90 days. But I'd like a bit of freedom and flexibility if I can manage it. Thanks in advance.
ps - to the degree it's relevant, I'm from Australia, and I've been to Spain numerous times, always in the past on a Schengen visa.
Thanks, yes, I've already had preliminary chats with the consul here, but with all the Covid uncertainty everything's a bit wonky - and "unofficial" guidance is always helpfulConsult the Spanish Embassy in Australia to get your answer. Anything you learn on this Forum will not official.
Thanks @trecile - I hadn't joined those dots. Will check it out.Attending an intensive language school may be enough to apply for a "student" visa. Definitely something toiok into.
Just a clarification - are you intending to try to stay longer in Europe or are you travelling further (e.g. another country, continent or back to Oz?). If the latter, you'd naturally depart on your Oz passport?I'm aware that variations of this question have been asked/posted previously, but I can't find an answer to my specific question, so here goes (and apologies in advance if it has been answered somewhere and I missed it).
All being well, next year I wish to spend 5 weeks or so undertaking an intensive Spanish language course in Salamanca, and then make my way down to Sevilla to start a 7-week or so stroll along the VDLP. Allowing for a bit of time before and after, I'm likely to fall over the 90-day Schengen visa limit by a week or so.
I know that Schengen visas can't be extended, so that leaves me looking for another visa type. Since I don't want to work, or formally study, my research tells me that my only option is to apply for a long term visa which becomes a precursor to Spanish residency, even though that's not an option which I am considering.
Has anyone else dealt with this issue, or can advise me? Of course the easiest path is simply to trim the cloth to fit the 90 days. But I'd like a bit of freedom and flexibility if I can manage it. Thanks in advance.
ps - to the degree it's relevant, I'm from Australia, and I've been to Spain numerous times, always in the past on a Schengen visa.
When are you thinking of doing this precisely 'next year'? I am thinking of doing the same. I realise than since Brexit, I will be more reliant on my Aussie passport, and I was thinking of school in Malaga (I am already quite fluent, as lived in Barcelona as a 14 year old) and taking a quick trip to Marocco to re-vitalize my Schengen visa if the school can't help.I'm aware that variations of this question have been asked/posted previously, but I can't find an answer to my specific question, so here goes (and apologies in advance if it has been answered somewhere and I missed it).
All being well, next year I wish to spend 5 weeks or so undertaking an intensive Spanish language course in Salamanca, and then make my way down to Sevilla to start a 7-week or so stroll along the VDLP. Allowing for a bit of time before and after, I'm likely to fall over the 90-day Schengen visa limit by a week or so.
I know that Schengen visas can't be extended, so that leaves me looking for another visa type. Since I don't want to work, or formally study, my research tells me that my only option is to apply for a long term visa which becomes a precursor to Spanish residency, even though that's not an option which I am considering.
Has anyone else dealt with this issue, or can advise me? Of course the easiest path is simply to trim the cloth to fit the 90 days. But I'd like a bit of freedom and flexibility if I can manage it. Thanks in advance.
ps - to the degree it's relevant, I'm from Australia, and I've been to Spain numerous times, always in the past on a Schengen visa.
Just back to Oz. It all depends on flight schedules at the time, but essentially it would be out from and back into Oz, even if the flight schedule is via another Schengen country or maybe the UK. Apart from any transit ports, all my time would be spent in Spain.Just a clarification - are you intending to try to stay longer in Europe or are you travelling further (e.g. another country, continent or back to Oz?). If the latter, you'd naturally depart on your Oz passport?
It's all Covid dependent of course, but essentially around this time next year for the school, and then walking from Sept onwards. No firm dates - don't even know when we'll be allowed to leave Oz, so it's all still a bit of a dream (albeit one I've been planning for a couple of years now).When are you thinking of doing this precisely 'next year'?
I was planning on doing the 2nd half of the GR65, the chemin de St Jacques, in 2018but got food poisoning, then in 2019, but missed out due to a second bout with appendicitisthen missed out due to Covid, like most of us, i am planning a 6 month trip.....but who knows what will happen. A walk down the East coast of Australia might be the thing!It's all Covid dependent of course, but essentially around this time next year for the school, and then walking from Sept onwards. No firm dates - don't even know when we'll be allowed to leave Oz, so it's all still a bit of a dream (albeit one I've been planning for a couple of years now).
Ahh, that would have been too easyAny chance you are a dual passport holder?
Thanks @Rick of Rick and Peg - I've now also had this drawn to my attention separately . It looks like it might have potential ... it also looks a bit complex, but I have heaps of time to try to work it out.Citizens of Australia and New Zealand have it great with lots of countries giving them special breaks.
I was in the process of editing my post by adding a link to this webpage so I'll put it here to make sure you see it.Thanks @Rick of Rick and Peg - I've now also had this drawn to my attention separately . It looks like it might have potential ... it also looks a bit complex, but I have heaps of time to try to work it out.
Schengen is 90 days in and then 90 days OUT. A trip to morocco will do nothing for youWhen are you thinking of doing this precisely 'next year'? I am thinking of doing the same. I realise than since Brexit, I will be more reliant on my Aussie passport, and I was thinking of school in Malaga (I am already quite fluent, as lived in Barcelona as a 14 year old) and taking a quick trip to Marocco to re-vitalize my Schengen visa if the school can't help.
My usual note of caution: etiasvisa.com is not an official EU site. It is a commercial site. I read through their bilateral visa waiver agreements article. They have a tendency to fill a lot of space with a lot of words.EU-Third Countries Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreements Explained
EU-Third Countries Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreements Explainedwww.etiasvisa.com
No. You do not need to spend 90 days OUT, except of course if you want to gain 90 more days IN.Schengen is 90 days in and then 90 days OUT. A trip to morocco will do nothing for you
I'm concerned about some things that are in that document. First, @pac1952 wants to stay more than 90 days in one country yet the document says he can stay only that long in any one country although he can stay longer in the Schengen zone by then visiting other countries.https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/NZ-...GENEVA/Border-controls-in-Europe-Schengen.pdf
The document linked above has a bit of a weird title but it contains official government information about bilateral visa waiver agreements between New Zealand and a number of EU countries, and it works the same way for other countries who have such bilateral agreements. In contrast to what the website etiasvisa.info claims, there are no procedures to follow. These old bilateral agreements give you, as the national of one of the parties to the agreement, the right to just stay, for a certain time, in the country that is the other party to the bilateral agreement, and to move within the EU/Schengen area according to the principles enshrined in the old agreement and framed by later EU law, as described in the document.
The document has been issued by the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs & Trade.
Next, without getting a visa to visit countries after the first 90 days there is no way to tell if a traveller upon leaving the zone spent (e.g.) 200 days in one particular country or possibly spent time in a Schengen country that didn't have a bilateral agreement.However, New Zealand has bilateral visa waiver agreements with the below listed
individual countries in the Schengen area. These visa waiver agreements allow New
Zealanders to spend up to three months in the relevant country, without reference to
time spent in other Schengen area countries.
My main point is: in contrast to what the etiasvisa.info article writer states, there are no procedures for prolonging a stay once you are in the Schengen area. It just is.I'm concerned about some things that are in that document. First, @pac1952 wants to stay more than 90 days in one country yet the document says he can stay only that long in any one country although he can stay longer in the Schengen zone by then visiting other countries.
Of course. Sorry I didn't think of this.They also advise to make sure that one's passport is stamped on entry and exit at the external borders of the Schengen area in any case.
Did you stay in only one country? Were there questions when you left? What were your answers? Did you contact authorities before reaching 90 days? Was there any kind of paperwork at all?My last 2 trips exceeded the 90 day limit and I had no problems whatsoever.
Thank you so much. I had been considering the Via Francigena (for 2023) but had discounted it as I thought we wouldn't have enough time, but with France and Italy allowing 90 days in each country that makes it legally doable. (not sure about the physical or financial aspects).The NZ document describes all this much better and in fewer words than etiasvisa.info: You enter the Schengen area, you get your entry stamp, you stay in various countries within the Schengen area according to the rights that you have as the national of a country that has old bilateral visa waiver agreements. You keep receipts, slips etc to document your stay everywhere ... when and how long.
If you happen to be questioned by officials, for example because you hired a car and got caught in a police control when you drove just a tiny bit too fast on the Autobahn and you have to show your passport and they look at the Schengen entry stamp and it's been stamped into your passport more than 90 days ago, you simply explain your bilateral agreement rights to them. Same when you leave the Schengen area and get your exit stamp and they think that you are an overstayer, you simply explain your bilateral agreement rights to them and show your receipts if necessary to document that you stayed strictly within your rights.
Or you just apply for a long-term visa before you travel to Europe. It may save you hassle and worries and it is apparently not so hard to get a long-term visa. Especially when you are a national of Australia or New Zealand with their statistically low numbers of overstayers and illegal immigrants to the EU.
I agree. It's certainly fine to be aware of changes, but if you won't be leaving for several months wait until a few weeks before your departure to determine current rules.I wonder... Considering the whims of Covid and it's variants and all our various governments, maybe it would be better to wait awhile before doing actual research on this topic. I certainly understand the desire to plan ahead (!), but sometimes too much planning too far ahead can cause confusion later... A lot can happen in the next 6-12-18-24 months
A wise decision, imho.It's becoming more likely that I will simply formally apply for a longer-term visa to stay in Spain beyond the 90 days. Then I won't have to worry about all the complexities of border stamps, receipts, somewhat opaque bi-lateral agreements, and all the rest, and can kick back and wander along the VDLP with impunity.
Can you start your language course remotely (say the first two weeks) and then finish it off in person?Thanks @Kathar1na - I'm being drawn into an even deeper rabbit hole!!
I've now emailed the Spanish Consul General's office in Melbourne to attempt to seek clarification of the required visa type, and to seek any information they might have on the somewhat doubtful bi-lateral agreement arrangements.
But having now read @DeansFamily thread in detail and the hoops one has to jump through, given that I was only ever wanting to exceed the 90 days by a week or so, depending on what the Consul advises, I'll likely either cut my intensive Spanish language course back to something shorter, or give that idea away altogether.
I'm now only making these various posts "for the record", in case at some future time someone wants to grapple with the same issues. My basic question at the start of the post, that is, can I extend my visa for a short period, would seem to be "no, not easily". But it's been an interesting exercise all the same.
And here is the text published by Spain in their Official Bulletin of the State where, on behalf of the Spanish Government, the agreement constituted by the Exchange of Notes of 1961 is terminated.a forum member reports that unfortunately, it would appear the earlier Spanish-Australian bilateral visa waiver agreement was terminated in 1978 [...]
I'll have to eat my words but only a few. There are no such procedures now but such a procedure may be introduced in some EU countries who have such old bilateral visa waiver agreements. They've already made the law but it is not yet in force and I don't know when it will be. It is linked the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit (EES) system which is scheduled for some time in 2022 or 2023.It is pure fantasy what they write: that you can first stay for your 90 days Schengen visa waiver period and then request an extension while you are already in the Schengen country. I am next to 100% certain that it doesn't work like this, not now and not after the introduction of ETIAS in 2023.
Be aware, you can’t simply leave Schengen and the 90 days starts over. It’s 90 days out of 180 regardless of how it’s split up.When are you thinking of doing this precisely 'next year'? I am thinking of doing the same. I realise than since Brexit, I will be more reliant on my Aussie passport, and I was thinking of school in Malaga (I am already quite fluent, as lived in Barcelona as a 14 year old) and taking a quick trip to Marocco to re-vitalize my Schengen visa if the school can't help.
Ain't that the truth!!! I think I have a spreadsheet plan for every single Camino as soon as we are allowed to leave the country!! Its only a matter of which one to do first!That's the plan anyway ... for those of us in Oz international travel is still a far distant dream ...
I think it’s 90 days in and 90 days out so a quick trip to Morroco will not work.When are you thinking of doing this precisely 'next year'? I am thinking of doing the same. I realise than since Brexit, I will be more reliant on my Aussie passport, and I was thinking of school in Malaga (I am already quite fluent, as lived in Barcelona as a 14 year old) and taking a quick trip to Marocco to re-vitalize my Schengen visa if the school can't help.
Thinking about that too!I was planning on doing the 2nd half of the GR65, the chemin de St Jacques, in 2018but got food poisoning, then in 2019, but missed out due to a second bout with appendicitisthen missed out due to Covid, like most of us, i am planning a 6 month trip.....but who knows what will happen. A walk down the East coast of Australia might be the thing!
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