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Visitor visa renewal - which countries qualify as a 're-entry'

Oct 6, 2010 @ 18:46

Hi all

My three-month 'tourist' visa stay in Geneva (courtesy of an Israeli passport) expires later this month and I would like to have it renewed. I am also marrying in Geneva before the end of the year (she is Portuguese which will sort out my visa worries, although this is not the reason we are marrying )

Two questions then:

1) If I let the three months lapse will the Geneva authorities impose a retrospective fine for exceeding my stay once I am married and paperwork is in order? (I can guess the answer), and

2) Now that SUI is under the Schengen agreement, which nearby countries would allow me a visa-renewal-run, i.e getting away for a weekend to get the passport stamped so I can re-enter for another three months: is the UK an option or should I look east (eg Czech Rep)? Is this a legit way of renewing the visa or are the Swiss authorities likely to give me hassles?

Thanks for any advice. S

The text you are quoting:

Hi all

Two questions then:

1) If I let the three months lapse will the Geneva authorities impose a retrospective fine for exceeding my stay once I am married and paperwork is in order? (I can guess the answer), and

Thanks for any advice. S

Shai HarmanOct 6, 2010 @ 18:46

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Re: Visitor visa renewal - which countries qualify as a 're-entry'

Post 1

Oct 6, 2010 @ 20:10

Thanks Careena, that might be my best option if they'll allow this extension.

The issue of Schengen visas can be quite confusing, I found the following information which seems to suggest that exiting and re-entering is not a valid way to extend the visa, in case others are wondering:

"The Schengen visa is good for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. This means that if you enter and exit the Schengen area with a Schengen visa, the time you spend outside the Schengen area is not counted toward your maximum of 90 days only as long as you do not exceed the maximum of 90 days in ANY 180-day period.

To further clarify in the case of those exempt from needing to apply for the Schengen visa, exiting the Schengen area does not “restart” or “renew” the Schengen visa or the 90-day maximum stay limit. This is only the case if you have been outside of the Schengen area for a minimum of 90 days (e.g., three months in and three months out)."

I will update the post as I have more concrete information but meanwhile please feel free to contribute if you've been through the process.

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Thanks Careena, that might be my best option if they'll allow this extension.

I will update the post as I have more concrete information but meanwhile please feel free to contribute if you've been through the process.

Shai Harman, Oct 6, 2010 @ 20:10

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Re: Visitor visa renewal - which countries qualify as a 're-entry'

Post 2

Oct 6, 2010 @ 21:34

I stand corrected Reka, thanks. Further south though the likes of Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro etc. are not within the Schengen agreement so may attract expiring visa tourists :)

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I stand corrected Reka, thanks. Further south though the likes of Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro etc. are not within the Schengen agreement so may attract expiring visa tourists :)

Shai Harman, Oct 6, 2010 @ 21:34

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