Entry/Exit Stamps
Mar 31, 2010 | 1:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Entry/Exit Stamps
Hi,
Guys I really need your help...I'm a resident in the UK on a work permit visa (non EU). Last week I traveled to Norway where I got my passport stamped when entering the country there. However, I left Norway through the north sea on a working boat (for the oil and gas industry) and I didn't get my passport stamped (exit stamp). The boat didn't go back to Norway but instead went straight to the UK where I entered the country again without an entry stamp....
I have two problems that I would like to get more information about:
1 - Since I left Norway without the exit stamp, how would they know that I actually left the country? since I entered the country on a visit visa, the norwegians would think that I overstayed the allowed period as per my visa, which could cause me problems the next time I'm trvelling to Norway (or indeed any other Schengen country)....
2- From a UK point of view, do I need to let anyone in the UK know that I'm back in the country, because I flew from the UK to Norway but came back through the sea on a working boat where my passport was never checked or entry stamped.....
Appreciate any advice on this please...
Many Thanks
ar82
Guys I really need your help...I'm a resident in the UK on a work permit visa (non EU). Last week I traveled to Norway where I got my passport stamped when entering the country there. However, I left Norway through the north sea on a working boat (for the oil and gas industry) and I didn't get my passport stamped (exit stamp). The boat didn't go back to Norway but instead went straight to the UK where I entered the country again without an entry stamp....
I have two problems that I would like to get more information about:
1 - Since I left Norway without the exit stamp, how would they know that I actually left the country? since I entered the country on a visit visa, the norwegians would think that I overstayed the allowed period as per my visa, which could cause me problems the next time I'm trvelling to Norway (or indeed any other Schengen country)....
2- From a UK point of view, do I need to let anyone in the UK know that I'm back in the country, because I flew from the UK to Norway but came back through the sea on a working boat where my passport was never checked or entry stamped.....
Appreciate any advice on this please...
Many Thanks
ar82
Mar 31, 2010 | 4:22 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
As a "visa national" working in the UK, you have been issued what is better referred to as an "Advance Entry Clearance". That basically grants you the legal status to remain, exit and re-enter the UK during the validity of the document provided you remain within its conditions. You should not have a problem with the UK as a result.
The Schengen states are notoriously inconsistent with their application of regulations regarding stamping of passports. These are especially problematic in cases such as yours that involve non-traditional means of entering/exiting the EU. I have had similar issues when arriving/departing as airline crew. My experience is that provided you have sufficient and convicing evidence that you exited the Schengen states on a specific date, you will not have any trouble with your re-entry . The key criterion is that you did not exceed your 90-in-180 day limit of stay in the Schengen area - it is quite obvious that you DID exit the Schengen states as you are attempting to re-enter! You also need to ensure that you get stamped upon your next entry to the Schengen area, otherwise you may have a problem upon exit as your stay may be assumed to be linked to your previous entry and hence in excess of 90 days.
If your situation is more complex then I would reccomend you contact your local UKBA office and/or Norwegian Embassy for further clarification.
The Schengen states are notoriously inconsistent with their application of regulations regarding stamping of passports. These are especially problematic in cases such as yours that involve non-traditional means of entering/exiting the EU. I have had similar issues when arriving/departing as airline crew. My experience is that provided you have sufficient and convicing evidence that you exited the Schengen states on a specific date, you will not have any trouble with your re-entry . The key criterion is that you did not exceed your 90-in-180 day limit of stay in the Schengen area - it is quite obvious that you DID exit the Schengen states as you are attempting to re-enter! You also need to ensure that you get stamped upon your next entry to the Schengen area, otherwise you may have a problem upon exit as your stay may be assumed to be linked to your previous entry and hence in excess of 90 days.
If your situation is more complex then I would reccomend you contact your local UKBA office and/or Norwegian Embassy for further clarification.