Job Discussion Forums

[spiral78]

So, guys, as I expected, so long as US citizens (and Canadians) have made an effort to get legal (or do this ASAP) they should hopefully be ok - but the police have the authority to make discretionary calls in the matter. It's probably not advisable to take risks with any other illegal actions, because you're far more likely to be facing deportation now than before for even small infractions.

For me, it seems fair enough - if you've made the effort to get legal papers, they'll give you the benefit of the doubt. For anyone who hasn't - or, worse, who is caught doing something illegal - likely no mercy.

From Today's (March 12, 2008) Prague Post:
Italics and highlights added

Ministry to ease transition of visas
Memorandum would give U.S. citizens till June to get paperwork

By Mark�ta Hulpachov�
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
March 5th, 2008 issue

More than 100 expatriates gathered at the Municipal Library. March 3 to better understand visa policy changes resulting from the Czech Republic�s Dec. 21 accession to the Schengen zone.Under the new regulations, it is no longer possible for those who reside in the country on 90-day tourist visas to renew their visas by simply crossing into a neighboring country; now they must exit the Schengen zone for a full three months out of a six-month period. According to Mario Mesquita, deputy consul general at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, all U.S. citizens have until March 19 � three months after the Schengen agreement went into effect in the Czech Republic � until their current tourist visas expire.This, however, does not solve the problem for foreign nationals who have applied for residence permits since Dec. 21. Because the local visa application process may take up to four months, these foreigners risk residing here illegally if their tourist visas expire before long-term visas are issued.To accommodate foreigners who find themselves in this gray period, the Interior Ministry is currently considering a memorandum recommending that police officers [u]be lenient when dealing with foreigners with pending visa applications.�Essentially, Americans who have applied for residence permits will not be deported just because their tourist visas expired,� Mesquita said. [/u]�Interior Minister [Ivan Langer] is expected to sign something that will give them a grace period until June.� Mesquita expects such approval to take place this week.While it will still be up to police officers to determine the level of punishment for illegal residence, the memorandum strives to �give those people who have been here for a long time, who have families here, and who have suddenly woken up and had to deal with the new laws time to get their affairs in order,� said Robert Solich of the Interior Ministry unit for Coordination of Schengen Cooperation. The Interior Ministry estimates the number of Americans residing in the country without a visa to be in the thousands. �Americans represent the largest community of foreigners without valid visas, partly because they do not need them to get into the country,� Solich said.

[parrothead]

Cheers! Thanks for all of your research, Spiral!

[spiral78]

Shucks, 'twerent nuthin.
I read the Post anyway-but I have permanent residency in the CR, so I'm not personally interested in the visa process particularly.

However, since things are changing these days, I hope it's useful info to post for newbs to the CR.

[johnnyappleseed]

Its important to stress that this grace period only extends to June!

[Aussie Chick]

[spiral78]

I think this is correct - it would take some bad luck to really get into trouble. But there is definitely an increased risk.
I'd also agree that the best course of action is to TAKE some action and do everything you can to get legal. This will certainly make any chance encounter with legal authorities go more smoothly, so to speak

There may be an additional problem now, though...it seems that, as of March 1, work and residency visas must be applied for from one's home country. I think things will be pretty lax in terms of enforcement if you can prove that you're already here - but this may turn out to be a real tough knot for the newbies planning to arrive over the summer. We'll see.

[HLJ]

Thanks for all of the info but I have another question.

If I have been offered a job and a contract and sponsorship for a work visa in the Czech Republic, how much time MUST I have remaining in the 90 day period (out of 180 days) that I am allowed as a tourist under Schengen when I apply for the work visa?

For example, if I come to the Czech Republic and apply for a work visa but I have already been in the Schengen zone for, say, 60 days and thus only have 30 more allowable days remaining with my tourist visa, is this ok or will I have a problem obtaining or be denied the work visa?

Do I need to have 45 days remaining, 60,...? Is there a specific number of days?

Thanks again.

[spiral78]

You need as many as possible...I am not sure that a definite number of days has been officially established for the CR. In Poland, I remember reading something about 45 days should be remaining.

I would personally play it safe, get the visa documents filed before you go off to travel or whatever.