EU Residence Permit: Do they scan them?
Nov 22, 2012, 1:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
EU Residence Permit: Do they scan them?
I've got a EU residence permit that might become invalid soon for various reasons, however, it doesn't expire for another 6 months.
I need to re-enter EU, so I might use it at some point. It doesn't have a barcode, but it has those "<<<33<<<3<<<" symbols like a passport, and I believe it has a RFID chip.
My question is do they scan them at the border entrance, or just glance at it to see if it has expired or not?
Thanks.
I need to re-enter EU, so I might use it at some point. It doesn't have a barcode, but it has those "<<<33<<<3<<<" symbols like a passport, and I believe it has a RFID chip.
My question is do they scan them at the border entrance, or just glance at it to see if it has expired or not?
Thanks.
Nov 22, 2012, 2:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,026
Yes, they will scan it at some point. I would not risk it. Even with your passport they can see the visa if you have already crossed in at least once, so you will still show up as denied/revoked.
Nov 22, 2012, 4:12 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
I don't understand what you mean by "Even with your passport they can see the visa if you have already crossed in at least once, so you will still show up as denied/revoked." ?
I have a US passport so I don't need a visa for EU...
I have a US passport so I don't need a visa for EU...
Nov 23, 2012, 8:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
I've got a EU residence permit that might become invalid soon for various reasons, however, it doesn't expire for another 6 months.
I need to re-enter EU, so I might use it at some point. It doesn't have a barcode, but it has those "<<<33<<<3<<<" symbols like a passport, and I believe it has a RFID chip.
My question is do they scan them at the border entrance, or just glance at it to see if it has expired or not?
Thanks.
I need to re-enter EU, so I might use it at some point. It doesn't have a barcode, but it has those "<<<33<<<3<<<" symbols like a passport, and I believe it has a RFID chip.
My question is do they scan them at the border entrance, or just glance at it to see if it has expired or not?
Thanks.
Beyond that, presumably if you enter and leave the Schengen area before the permit expires (or becomes invalid) you won't have a problem. And assuming that you're not actually residing in the Schengen area any more (?is that a reasonable assumption), can you not simply enter as an ordinary short-term visitor holding a passport that doesn't require a visa?
Nov 24, 2012, 1:30 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
I think what the OP says is that the rez permit might be revoked (I don't know why they'd do that, but that's what I believe s/he's saying) but it has another 6 months printed validity on it.
In any case -- it depends by country. Germany, Switzerland and Austria have always scanned my rez card and refused to scan/stamp my passport. Spain/Portugal/Italy/France do the opposite (in the Italian case the passport wasn't even scanned, until I asked for a stamp.)
The amount of scrutiny also depends on which country's passport you hold.
In any case -- it depends by country. Germany, Switzerland and Austria have always scanned my rez card and refused to scan/stamp my passport. Spain/Portugal/Italy/France do the opposite (in the Italian case the passport wasn't even scanned, until I asked for a stamp.)
The amount of scrutiny also depends on which country's passport you hold.
Nov 24, 2012, 1:48 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
Yep, that's correct. I received the permit as part of a job offer, but unfortunately my job has ended prematurely but the permit is still valid for a while.
Somehow I was under the impression they don't really scan them and just glance over them. Furthermore since it was issued by a specific EU country, I should be ok entering Schengen not via that country, but I guess every EU/Schengen has the ability to see whether the permit is valid?
Another question: if the rez permit is revoked, can't I always enter on my tourist visa? (I have a US passport) since that should come into effect (I've been in the country for 6 months purely on the work permit).
Somehow I was under the impression they don't really scan them and just glance over them. Furthermore since it was issued by a specific EU country, I should be ok entering Schengen not via that country, but I guess every EU/Schengen has the ability to see whether the permit is valid?
Another question: if the rez permit is revoked, can't I always enter on my tourist visa? (I have a US passport) since that should come into effect (I've been in the country for 6 months purely on the work permit).
Nov 24, 2012, 7:37 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
Yep, that's correct. I received the permit as part of a job offer, but unfortunately my job has ended prematurely but the permit is still valid for a while.
Somehow I was under the impression they don't really scan them and just glance over them. Furthermore since it was issued by a specific EU country, I should be ok entering Schengen not via that country, but I guess every EU/Schengen has the ability to see whether the permit is valid?
Another question: if the rez permit is revoked, can't I always enter on my tourist visa? (I have a US passport) since that should come into effect (I've been in the country for 6 months purely on the work permit).
Somehow I was under the impression they don't really scan them and just glance over them. Furthermore since it was issued by a specific EU country, I should be ok entering Schengen not via that country, but I guess every EU/Schengen has the ability to see whether the permit is valid?
Another question: if the rez permit is revoked, can't I always enter on my tourist visa? (I have a US passport) since that should come into effect (I've been in the country for 6 months purely on the work permit).
Italy and points east of Germany probably easier than Germany/UK/France/NL/SE. I've anecdotally found the countries with the best economies have the hardest/toughest guards at immigration. Portugal/Greece/Spain/Italy among the worst.
Nov 24, 2012, 8:21 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
Yep you should be able to enter on a tourist visa regardless. Depending on country they may or may not scan it. You could always try your luck, but it depends whether you need to come in on the residence permit or not. Easiest is to just show up and get the normal tourist visa like you never had a residence permit at all.
Italy and points east of Germany probably easier than Germany/UK/France/NL/SE. I've anecdotally found the countries with the best economies have the hardest/toughest guards at immigration. Portugal/Greece/Spain/Italy among the worst.
Italy and points east of Germany probably easier than Germany/UK/France/NL/SE. I've anecdotally found the countries with the best economies have the hardest/toughest guards at immigration. Portugal/Greece/Spain/Italy among the worst.
I guess I can always try my luck, and if the permit gets denied, I just ask them to use my 3 month visa -- shouldn't be any issues right?
Nov 27, 2012, 5:15 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
The only advantage of coming in on a rez permit is that it allows me to stay longer in EU (rez permit + 3 month visa when rez permit expires). If I come in on the 3 month visa directly, the clock starts ticking right away.
I guess I can always try my luck, and if the permit gets denied, I just ask them to use my 3 month visa -- shouldn't be any issues right?
I guess I can always try my luck, and if the permit gets denied, I just ask them to use my 3 month visa -- shouldn't be any issues right?
Nov 30, 2012, 4:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Happily living in Frenaros Cyprus having escaped the near-death experience called Sofia Bulgaria
Programs: Etihad Guest Gold, DL FO and 1MM, and a bunch of others at a low level
Posts: 2,052
When my job in Bulgaria ended, I had to turn in my Bulgarian residency permit (ID card). It was a formal withdrawal of the permit and I had to go to the immigration office and turn it in. I was concerned about what might happen when I left Bulgaria without the permit, but it was not an issue.
My residency permit here in Cyprus is not a card or a visa-like form in my passport; it is a piece of paper that I carry along with my passport. It is not associated with employment. I suppose if I ever left Cyprus, I would just let the permit expire naturally as there does not seem to be any requirement to turn it in.
My residency permit here in Cyprus is not a card or a visa-like form in my passport; it is a piece of paper that I carry along with my passport. It is not associated with employment. I suppose if I ever left Cyprus, I would just let the permit expire naturally as there does not seem to be any requirement to turn it in.
Dec 5, 2012, 4:12 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Confirmed
Posts: 1,091
Yep you should be able to enter on a tourist visa regardless. Depending on country they may or may not scan it. You could always try your luck, but it depends whether you need to come in on the residence permit or not. Easiest is to just show up and get the normal tourist visa like you never had a residence permit at all.
Italy and points east of Germany probably easier than Germany/UK/France/NL/SE. I've anecdotally found the countries with the best economies have the hardest/toughest guards at immigration. Portugal/Greece/Spain/Italy among the worst.
Italy and points east of Germany probably easier than Germany/UK/France/NL/SE. I've anecdotally found the countries with the best economies have the hardest/toughest guards at immigration. Portugal/Greece/Spain/Italy among the worst.
however uk residence permit is in the eu uniform format and can be read (if the immigration officer thinks it might me conterfeit). there is a card reader but it's not on every desk.
schengen area countries shares a big database on resident permits. op's old employer has a legal duty to inform authorities about the premature end of employment, which i guess the RP will be cancelled afterwards.
May 14, 2017, 5:57 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
I think what the OP says is that the rez permit might be revoked (I don't know why they'd do that, but that's what I believe s/he's saying) but it has another 6 months printed validity on it.
In any case -- it depends by country. Germany, Switzerland and Austria have always scanned my rez card and refused to scan/stamp my passport. Spain/Portugal/Italy/France do the opposite (in the Italian case the passport wasn't even scanned, until I asked for a stamp.)
The amount of scrutiny also depends on which country's passport you hold.
In any case -- it depends by country. Germany, Switzerland and Austria have always scanned my rez card and refused to scan/stamp my passport. Spain/Portugal/Italy/France do the opposite (in the Italian case the passport wasn't even scanned, until I asked for a stamp.)
The amount of scrutiny also depends on which country's passport you hold.
May 15, 2017, 5:31 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
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Posts: 4,866