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questions about visa for American expat

Oct 30, 2011 @ 14:40

Hi everyone,

I am completely frustrated with trying to work out my visa. As I'm sure many of you know it's a complex situation. I came here on my passport. As an American I am afforded three months automatically as a tourist. I would like to stay and work in Switzerland as my boyfriend just got a 2 year contract here. I have a little less then one month to go and am trying to figure out ways to stay here. I have been looking for a paid internship as I found a program that would give me an 18 month work visa if I found one that was applicable to my studies (PR and International Relations...so pretty much anything). I haven't had any luck with this as of yet so I am researching different venues i.e. taking intensive french courses and getting a student visa for the time I am studying. Does anyone know if you can stay in Switzerland if you are AWAITING a response from the cantonal office about your visa??? As I just applied my tourist allowance will end, so can I stay in the country after my 90 days afforded if I'm waiting on a response?? Do I have to go back to the U.S.??? We have also considered Pacs Agreement as well, but am still learning about that. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions/information about my situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated....

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Hi everyone,

Jaimie GOct 30, 2011 @ 14:40

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Re: questions about visa for American expat

Post 1

Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:07

Hi everyone,

Oct 30, 11 14:40

Just leave Switzerland at the end of 3 months and then come back again? Then you have another 3 months...

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Just leave Switzerland at the end of 3 months and then come back again? Then you have another 3 months...

Andrew I, Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:07

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Re: questions about visa for American expat

Post 2

Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:10

If you are desperate enroll in French at U of Geneva, the full time program is not very expensive at all, and it is enough to apply for a B permit.

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If you are desperate enroll in French at U of Geneva, the full time program is not very expensive at all, and it is enough to apply for a B permit.

Lexillent, Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:10

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Re: questions about visa for American expat

Post 3

Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:09

Hi everyone,

Oct 30, 11 14:40

1) You are supposed to leave immediately after your tourist visa has expired and spoosed to await word of visa approval in your home country or at least outside the Schengen area.

" Note: Travelers for business or tourism are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within a six month period. Once the 90 day maximum is reached, leaving for a brief period and re-entering the area does not entitle a traveler to 90 more days within the Schengen states.

The traveler would have to remain outside of the Schengen zone for 90 days before reentering without a visa. Immigration officers at the port of entry have the right to determine whether your planned activities are consistent with business or tourism.

You should check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country to which you are traveling if you have questions about whether your proposed trip qualifies for visa-free travel. U.S. Embassies cannot intervene on behalf of U.S. citizens who are denied entry into a foreign country."

Source: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4361.html

3) I'm fairly certain pacsing won't work; only marriage would give you the right to stay as a US citizen.

4) Enrolling in school is probably your only option apart from the paid internship. Sometimes the authorities are lenient about visa overstays if you appear to be a serious student.

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1) You are supposed to leave immediately after your tourist visa has expired and spoosed to await word of visa approval in your home country or at least outside the Schengen area.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4361.html

3) I'm fairly certain pacsing won't work; only marriage would give you the right to stay as a US citizen.

4) Enrolling in school is probably your only option apart from the paid internship. Sometimes the authorities are lenient about visa overstays if you appear to be a serious student.

Translator, Oct 30, 2011 @ 15:09

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Re: questions about visa for American expat

Post 4

Oct 30, 2011 @ 20:48

Au pair, perhaps?

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Au pair, perhaps?

richardm, Oct 30, 2011 @ 20:48

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Re: questions about visa for American expat

Post 5

Oct 30, 2011 @ 22:20

I have extended my tourist visa while waiting on my renewal and have no problems. But I contacted the OCP, unlike the US dmv, license bureau or post office, they are realllllly very helpful and friendly. A few classmates of mine overstayed their visas for reasons and they went and got a permit allowing them to leave with no problem. Do not however overstay without contacting them. For years I let my visa and residence permit slack, but now things are different. I have a friend right now paying some heavy fines for overstaying after they revoked her visa after 4 years, She came back for 4 months to tidy up loose ends like apartments and things and now she is paying the price

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Lexillent, Oct 30, 2011 @ 22:20

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