Repercussions of overstaying a visa

I am an American citizen and have recently been in Germany for about 6 months. I thought that American citizens did not require a visa to go into Germany, but recently a friend has told me all about the fact that I only have a 3 month visa to begin with through the visa waiver program. This would mean that I had overstayed my visa by almost 3 months! My further research has caused me to start getting somewhat scared. I have stayed with a friend the entire length of the trip and have not registered anywhere with Germany. Throughout the entire time I telecommuted to a US company that does not do any business in or with Germany (do all of my work from a laptop at home). My goals here were to learn more about the culture as well as just to travel, but I did not take any formal lessons. I will be leaving in a week and am quite concerned about the repercussions of my significant overstay of the visa waiver program. Furthermore I have looked to see that my passport was only stamped in Denmark upon entry (I flew directly from Denmark to Germany) and was not stamped in Germany. I am very scared that something will happen when I attempt to return to the states, and I don't plan on returning to Germany anytime soon. What will happen at the airport when I try to board my plane home? Should I try to contact the German Bezirksamt, the US embassy, or perhaps a German lawyer? Or should I just put on my best suit, cross my fingers, and hope that everything goes well with my flight home. What is the worst that could happen as a result of my overstay? Has anyone else gone through a similar situation?

boy, you really do give Americans a bad name. where in the world does a foreigner NOT require a visa? from home, did you not realize what is going on in the world? ugh. sorry.


they'll probably deport you anyhow if you get caught, so just leave.

I over stayed my visa although got a work permit after the 6 month overstay. They hardly made a fuss.

Relax. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. German prisons are among the most comfortable in the world. No seriously, phone the embassy anonymously. You are unlikely to be the first person ever to do this. They will know what to do.

I am a bit lost by this statement?

Some countries require a Visa, some don't. I sure as buggery don't know exactly which ones do and don't. Furthermore some require different visa depending on length of stay, and some don't depending on length of stay.

Dude -- you're leaving the country. Tell them you were back-packing around, lost track of time, and are now heading home. They won't give a f%ck. I've done this before in Europe.

Dude, forget about it. They won't say a thing and they have no idea how long you have been in Germany. If they ask, just say that you bounced around Europe checking things out and are ready to go home after your extended vacation. Its all good.

PS: Hungary lets Americans in for free. No visa required, just a stamp in your passport. Germans on the other hand have to pay a fee.

Think about what would happen to a German doing that in US, and you will not have one fifth of the trouble he would have back in States.

I had a hard time once when I was flying out of germany because I didn't have any stamps leaving germany, so it appeared that I had been in germnay for 10 months without leaving. This wasn't the case and but I had no documentation. The copper and I argued for a few minutes, I loudly announced that if I was illegally in Germany then why in the hell would me leaving be a problem. So more discussion and then I was cleared to board. So a hassle, but not a real problem.

A few years ago, I overstayed my 3 month tourist visa by 1 day.

Leaving the airport, the guy at the passport control (in Frankfurt) looked at my passport, looked at the date, looked back at my passport and gave it back without stamping it.

I stupidly said to him "Why did you not stamp it ?"

He said, "If I stamp your passport, it will be proof that you overstayed your holiday visa. Be thankful that I'm not taking you out back where you will have to pay a lot of money to leave."

So I guess the moral of the story is... If they want to go through the paperwork and think you may be able to pay the fine, then I guess you're up for one.

If you had longer time.. you could "accidently loose" your passport and apply with your embassey for a new one... (giving you another 3 or so months on a tourist visa).. Even though it's a pain to do, it's better than a large fine and a "DEPORTED" stamp on your permanent record.

Wow, you guys do Dudettes as well? That's swell.

and here's a tip from a friend of mine..

If you want a long stay in the EU longer than the 3 month visa, book your flights in and out of Paris CDG Airport. They NEVER stamp your passport there, in or out. If you ever get pulled up anywhere in Europe you only have to say that you just got there..

There's no proof that you've overstayed so no-one can do anything. If they think they can, then you only have to ask the question "How long have I overstayed" to which you'll get no reply and a "be on your way".

I have a hard time believing that they never stamp your passport at CDG. I'm finding it so hard in fact, that I just plain don't believe you..

Yeah but wouldn't you check before you leave? I know I would...

I've done it once myself and my Canadian friend has been doing it the past 10 years..

Try it yourself one day..

I recently came to Germany (a couple of months back) through paris CDG. My passport was stamped...!!

If you arrive in CDG from inside the EU or a Schengen country, it will most likely not be stamped. If not, I think there would be a high likelyhood of you getting one.

Bingo. Thats the way to do it. Also if you plan to come back to germany then leave from outside another country say Holland.

1. Hutcho... of course your passport won't be stamped if it's an internal EU flight as there will be no passport control (because your not leaving the EU borders).. and how do you know that there's a high likelyhood. You're done it before ?

2. To fRe4k.. I guess they do 'randomly' stamp but generally speaking, or compared to Germany, they hardly ever stamp... I've seen my friend's passport and he travels to US/Canada at least 3 times a year and the only stamps (bar one or two) he has are from there.

The stamping is just one of those things that happen randomly here in Europe, not like US or Australia. From my experience, and my friends, CDG airport are very relaxed on stamping and is your best bet if you're keen on an 'extended' holiday.

only trying to help...

ive been going in and out of germany like its my local brothel for about 2 years now... they dont check shit aslong as u dont look like an eyrab... ive overstayed visas like its going out of fashion... at the end of the day.. they're after eyrabs and people of that nature.. ya feel me?

I recently left Germany for a quick vacation in Ireland. I'm a student here, but my residence permit is still in the works, so it looks like I've stayed over three months in my passport. I was questioned on exit and reentry, explained the situation and was allowed to board my flight and head home. Maybe having a similar story would help you upon leaving?

ok so i came to berlin jan 1 2008. i tried to get a residency card and got denied. am i going to have any trouble getting out of here i fly out ofn the 22 of may. ive been here for 6 months now

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Isn't that less than six months?

Ah, I see, it's the 90 days rather than the 6 months which is an issue here. Ok, carry on.

Not expert advice here, but you should not have any trouble leaving, other than being questioned at the airport as to why you overstayed; however, I would think that you will have a very difficult time entering another Schengen country in the next few years.

I wouldn't think that you'd get into any serious trouble on your way out. I'm just wondering why you overstayed in the first place... I wasn't able to get my residence permit here at first, so I asked for a Fiktionsbescheinigung, which was handed over in a heartbeat, and I'd recommend that to anyone. It was easy enough and was only 20 Euros.

Is it me or do we seem to be getting more and more people coming here about visa overstays?
This type of behavior jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of visa-free travel.

As I said in a similar thread (where the poster was in Germany a year, 'working', and wanting to come back), the latest revision to the US consular info sheet for Germany warns of fines to those who overstay visas, with jail for those who don't pay up on the spot.

Nah, I'd say it's just when one posts, a couple of others in a similar situation see it and think "Ok, it seems ok to ask about that so I'll get input on my particular situation too". Happens every now and again.

What the hack, just tell them you forgot to bring a calendar and the days just so quickly slipped right by you. Since you're an American they'll probably understand .

I'm surprised you didn't get a knock at your door because I know they do come looking for people who over stay. You must've been difficult to find.

If you overstay a residence permit where they have your address, yes.
However, if you enter on a waiver they do not have your address.

The OP should consider himself lucky that the authorities didn't begin deportment proceedings when he presented himself to them asking for a permit after he'd already overstayed.

Wow people are fiesty in this one. Well for what its worth, I flew into FRankfurt and I never got a stamp. I even asked if I needed to go through customs and they laughed and pointed me tpward the train.

Customs in Europe (Zoll in Germany) have nothing to do with immigration / visa etc.