Travel Visas to Czech Republic The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen zone, so this means that an entry stamp to this country is good for the 24 other member states and vice versa. Generally, tourists are given an entry stamp into the region that is good for 90 out of 180 days. This [...]
Published on January 9, 2010
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Travel Visas to Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen zone, so this means that an entry stamp to this country is good for the 24 other member states and vice versa. Generally, tourists are given an entry stamp into the region that is good for 90 out of 180 days. This is a multiple entry visa, and leaving the zone and returning does not start the time count over — even though another stamp may be placed into a passport.
The following information is on visas to the Czech Republic in particular as well as the Schengen zone in general.
Schengen visa questions
Overstayed visa in the Czech Republic
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Frequently asked questions about Czech Republic travel visas
Visa overstaying waiting for immigration decision
Hi Wade, I have a situation I’m very nervous about maybe you have some thoughts.
I’ve been in Czech Republic since October. and I just learned that my Czech Republic schaengen visa application was denied from when I applied in October. I’ve not received any clear information from a lawyer here who really doesn’t know anything, and I’ve been getting conflicting reports of what I need to do now. I plan on returning back to USA IN early May, but if I have to leave sooner than I obviously I will to avoid disastrous punishment. .
I left the country within the 90 day time frame, but then came back a few days later. I had in my passport that I applied for a visa. The border control at airport let me back in, and gave me another stamp. I don’t even know if this meant that they saw my stamp and that means its okay to still be here since you applied, or if they just completely missed it.
So overall I’ve been in Zone for about 5 months total, but left to re-enter before the first 90 days were up. On April 3, the second stamp I was given when I re-entered Prague in January will be up.
So my questions are these: Is it their fault that they let me back in? Is it okay that I was waiting for visa while technically being over 90 day stay?
Also, when do I have to leave the Schaengen zone now? Do I have up until certain amount of days? And is it possible my situation now can ban me from entry in future, and for how long? Is my situation different and less severe punishment because I actually applied and they let me back in? Please somebody help I’m very concerned, I cannot be banned from Europe for work purposes.
Technically, you have overstayed your visa by two months. The Schengen tourist visa is good for an unlimited amount of multiple entries during the 180 days of its validity (you can only be in the zone for 90 of those 180 days). How many additional stamps that are put into to your passport are irrelevant — it is the first one that counts. But, although you have overstayed, it is my impression that you have paperwork and documentation that your additional time in the region was due to awaiting the decision on an extended visa (residency permit?) which ended up being denied. As long as you can show that you were awaiting this decision from immigration you should not be penalized for the overstay.
Keep in mind that so much about the immigration policies of the Schengen region are still left up to the interpretation of the individual member states as well as individual immigration officials. It is my recommendation that, as this is a Czech Republic issues, go through exit immigration in this country. Keep in mind that a flight that has a layover in another Schengen state will have you going through immigration there, so book a direct flight to London or Dublin and then fly on from there.
More information about travel visas
Search for more information about Czech Republic
- Vagabond Wiki Czech Republic
- Travelogue entries about Czech Republic
Czech-Republic Travel Guide
Essentials- Food | Cheap Accommodation, Hotels, Hostels | Bus Taxi Train Travel in Czech-Republic | Air Travel to Czech-Republic | Good Places to Travel
What to do in Czech-Republic- Find Work | Search for Volunteer Opportunities | Archaeology Fieldwork in Czech-Republic | Study Abroad | Study a Foreign Language | Tattoos in Czech-Republic | Go Hiking | Hitchhike Across Czech-Republic
News, Current Events, Culture in Czech-Republic- What is Czech-Republic Culture Like? | Check the News, Politics, and Current Events in Czech-Republic | Is it Safe to Travel in Czech-Republic?
Practical Matters- How much money does it cost to travel in Czech-Republic? | Visa Questions | How to Stay Healthy in Czech-Republic | Find Doctors and Medical Care in Czech-Republic | Find a Travel Companion | Plan your travels to Czech-Republic
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About the Author: VBJ
I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 93 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. VBJ has written 3728 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
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12 comments… add one
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March 23, 2011, 3:03 pm
LinkWade, thank you very your response I appreciate it. When you say that I have “paperwork” showing I’ve been here awaiting my visa decision, do you mean the stamp in my passport? On my passport it says I applied for a visa so that is proof right there. I can also show a ticket for a flight home, as well as copies of my submitted paperwork.
My biggest concern is being banned. If I have to pay a fine or forced to leave I can deal with that. Do you know of cases similar to my situation where they have been banned from Europe permanently or for a certain timeframe?
Thanks again, and sorry to bother you,
Mac
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March 23, 2011, 3:06 pm
LinkBy paperwork I mean the stamp in your passport saying that you applied for the visa, copies of the visa application, any paperwork you have from immigration that shows that you were awaiting a decision — anything.
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Great thank you again. And only last quesiton is have you heard of a case like mine that led to being banned from Europe?
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Typically, only Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and the Netherlands seem gung ho about giving out fines and bans. But the other countries are getting into the act. Certainly they can ban you, but it is not likely in this case. Just don’t say anything when you approach immigration and hope they let you through. To answer your question, I have received reports from people who have NOT been punished because they have documentation stating that they overstay as a result of waiting for an immigration decision — I am not sure about the other way around. We have gotten hundreds of questions about Schengen visa overstays on this site over the years, so if you put some queries into the search box it should direct you to pages about overstayers who had applied for visas.
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Wade,
Would you reccomend leaving from prague or rome on direct USA flight? All my visa documentation, and receipt of application is from czech Republic. But then again Italy is more lenient? Let me know what you’ve heard in past about those two countries.
Thanks again,
Mac.
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As of now, Italy doesn’t really seem to give a shit, but CR does not seem to be much more diligent. The trip to Italy seems like a waste as you have documentation that you were in the Czech Republic awaiting an immigration decision.
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Wade, Sorry to bother you again. Just wondering if you had any more information or reports about people exiting from CR while overstaying waiting for visa?
Also, what happens if you enter Ukraine by driving on an overstay in Schaengen?
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Leaving by land should not be any different. Nope, have not had any more relevant reports come in.
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So as it stands now the CR is safe exit?
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There is no safe, completely fool proof exit. You can receive a ban still, there is no way out of it. Though it is my impression that leaving the region from the Czech Republic is your best be
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What if you leave the Schengen with no problem and you get a stamp in USA? Even if you aren’t held up or have an irregular exchange with exit immigration, there’s still evidence in your passport that the next stamp after the schengen entry stamp was more than 3 months. Can that haunt you in the future?
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You will be stamped when you leave the last Schengen country you are in. The USA no longer really gives re-admittance stamps. Yes, evidence of an overstay could have future adverse impacts, but if you are not logged into the SIS then this is not too highly probable. Keep in mind that if you are held up at all when leaving Europe there is a decent chance that you are logged into the system — even if the immigration official says otherwise.
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