Schengen Visa Advice!
 

I know this topic is a frequent one...but someone please offer me some real world advice. I know the "rules" so please no need to tell them to me here, but I want to know what to actually do based on what probably/might/could actually happen.

I am an American, entered Italy almost 90 days ago as tourist. Tourist visa about to expire. IMPORTANT FACT: when I entered Italy almost three months agao, my passport was NOT STAMPED. They just looked at it. In fact, the only stamp I have on my passport was from when I entered Italy LAST YEAR, (so from Italy's perspective, it might even seem like i have been here for over a year!)

I am going to outstay the visa. Risky I know. Here is the question. I will most likely return to the US in April, two months after the expiration date. I am then going to try to REENTER Italy TWO WEEKS LATER in April.

Questions:
1. How realistic is it that I will get caught at any point in the process above? Meaning, if I pass through customs on my way out without any question, will that mean I will have no issue getting back in two weeks later? Or if I pass through on the way out, could I still get caught on my way in again when I try to reenter in April? If so, would they literally return me home on the next flight to the US?
2. How relevant is the fact that I dont have a stamp on my passport from when I entered Italy two months ago? SHOULD I leave Italy and come back within the 90 days (two weeks left) so I CAN get a stamp so it appears as if I JUST entered Italy "for the first time" now to avoid the 90 day dilemma because my Passport will "look like" I have just arrived here?
3. Any tricks on how to overcome any of this? I am a cute unassuming girl, does that help my situation? Maybe I can slide through customs that way??? I know sounds silly, but I am talking reality here...that is what actually happens, not theory of laws....THANK YOU!!! PLEASE HELP!!

You're having a laugh aren't you? Hopefully you will get found out, caught, and subjected to an Italian prison experience, and not allowed to enter Italy again once deported. How would you like it if everyone treated the USA like that and came on here asking for advice as to how to beat the system for your country? I hope that helps.

Do not risk your reputation, you might be caught and put you in prison if you will back in two weeks..They not caughted you once, but but for the 2nd time maybe too much!,..think of it 100 times, before deciding to go:D back again,..

Welcome to Flyertalk,kirstene Please follow this thread in the Europe Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Welcome to flyertalk kristene

Yes it is a frequent topic. So you either being around here for a while or you used the search function of the board to find this out. So you know the answers what might could happen.

Since you know the rules my only advice is too play by the rules.

Real world advice

If you get caught you won' be allowed back into the Schengen area for a very long time, if you get caught then other countries will notice the big stamp in your passport and will refuse you entry on the theory "once a crook, always a crook". If you are involved in an accident or require medical assistance then your insurance company will almost certainly refuse to pay out. If you are involved in an accident any insurance you have is invalid therefore you are committing a criminal offence

The best 'real world, practical advice' is do not mess with a country's immigration. They are out there protecting their border and will not be in a game playing mood.

Simple Question:
Why not go to or call the local alien registration office and ask for an extension ???
If they know what your intentions are they will appreciate it and most likely give you an extension. Can´t imagine too much fuzz about it.
Just give them a call beforehand and inquire !!!
If they agree bring along a confirmed reservation for your flight to the U.S. as it will certainly help ease the office clerk´s decision in favor of you ... !

Btw.:
Regarding your "non-existent passport stamp" ...
As you may have a machine readable passport you won´t get a stamp but your arrival/departure dates will be recorded !

Now that this thread has been moved to the Europe forum I suggest you scroll down about half a dozen threads to the one about "been in Schengen too long" where (towards the end of the thread) you will find someone's report of what happened when they overstayed.

This is Europe. You are unlikely to end up in prison (as some people seem to think). You will just get fined and deported and barred from re-entering. Your passport will almost definitely have been scanned on the way in (they can scan passports while, seemingly, just looking at them) so you WILL get caught - don't be under any illusions.

If you have a legitimate reason for staying longer then, as suggested previously, try to get a visa. If you don't have a legitimate reason then you don't stand a chance.

And please don't expect people here to give you advice on how to break the law.

Thank you everyone! I do not want advice on how to break the law. I only wanted people's personal experiences as to the reality that would most like occur if I decided to outstay my tourist visa. I am very aware of the risks involved and I do not want to be barred from Italy in the future as I love Italy and it would not be worth it to stay a few extra months.

I thought it would be no big deal to outstay my visa, as I hear that Americans do it all the time but in this post 9/11 and with more recent events, I really have been thinking that it is a risk that I shouldn't take. I wish that Europe and the US had the sort of relationship that exists between EU nations so this wouldn't even be an issue...but if wishes were fishes.

Thanks everyone.

Hi kirstene and welcome to FT. Point 3 of your original post does make it sound like you are looking for advice on how to break the law.

US citizens who have entered the Schengen Zone as tourists are permitted to stay 90 of any 180 days in the Schengen Zone. If you have already spent 90 days in the Schengen Zone, then you will need to leave and stay out for 90 days before you can re-enter.

I would not take the risk if I were you of staying longer than 90 days and trying to re-enter after fewer than 90 days.

Best wishes to you.

Quite fascinating logic.

Americans USED to do it all the time. That was before computers. You really don't want to count on your cute smile to get you out of the trouble you'll be in.

As does point 2).

If you want advice on legitimate ways to get a visa/residence permit, ask those questions (you do have an advantage as a US citizen in getting such permits provided you have some reason for your stay and can provide proof of health insurance and funds). Otherwise, you know the answers.