Hey there Erasmus Student,
As far as I am aware the Carte de sejour is only for France, however your observations on the border control (lack thereof) between schengen countries is quite accurate. Overstaying a visa is never advisable, and the authorities may even take umbrage if say you've popped out to France and back again in order to duck the 3 month limit. I was even told by a customs officer that the three month schengen stay should be followed by at least as long out of the country as well. I don't think that's a law but maybe a guideline.
On the topic of the Germans, as yet I don't believe that there is quite that level of information sharing between the immigration departments of the schengen countries, they are only now just starting to share information on people making claims for asylum (a big issue in the EU) to prevent them from making claims in more than one country, so I doubt highly that harmless Erasmus students are being hunted down for a purloined week in Portugal.
Have fun, and let us know what you decide to do ey?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erasmus.student
Hi all,
I am in a rather complicated immigration situation, and I wonder if anyone can offer any answers or advice.
I hold a U.S. passport, and I also have a valid Carte de Sejour, because I was studying in France last fall. Currently, I am studying in Portugal, and because applying for a Portuguese student visa proved to be just about impossible, I entered Portugal on a tourist visa. I flew to Portugal from the UK, not France, so I got an entry stamp in my passport.
I am hoping to overstay my 3 month tourist visa in Portugal by about two or three weeks, and I also hope to fly back to the States from Portugal. My question is, does anyone know if my valid French residence (Carte de Sejour) will protect me/make it legal to overstay the Schengen tourist visa?
I researched it a bit, and from what I understand the Carte de Sejour technically doesn't entitle me to stay longer in other EU countries. However, because there is no immigration control within the Schengen states, I figure I can just say I traveled to France and then back to Portugal without stamps -- something like that?
I suppose the most likely scenario is that they won't even look at my entry stamp, but I need to be careful, because I will study in Germany next year and will need a visa from them -- and from what I hear the Germans pay attention to EVERYTHING in your passport/immigration history.
I would appreciate any comments or info. Thanks!
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