Job Discussion Forums

[sneakerpimp]

So technically I'm here on a tourist visa, like many others, teaching ESL and living fairly happily. I know I'm only "supposed" to be here for 90 days. Then I'm to leave. But what if I don't...I mean, I'm not planning on going back to the US and am just wondering at what point, if any, will someone notice I've overstayed my visa (assuming they don't know I'm working, and just think I'm hanging out in Madrid). At customs when I eventually DO leave Spain? When/if I apply for enpadronamiento? When I leave the country and RE-ENTER spain?? Ideas?? Thanks!

[Meg4]

Generally if you just decide to stay in Spain the authorities aren't going to notice you've been here too long unless you give them a reason to stop you (if the police stop you for some other illegal activity, for example. ) If you want to "empadronarte" you can do it while living in Spain illegally, but you should know that the police do have access to these records. The time you may have a problem is if you leave to visit home or something and want to re-enter Spain. I know lots of people who go back home at Christmas, for example, and have no problems passing customs--even though technically they shouldn't have been allowed back in Spain. But, it is a risk. It also sometimes depends on the airlines rather than the customs people. When I went back to the US at Christmas and checked in with the airline they asked to see my visa or Spanish residence card when they saw that I had a ticket to return to Spain. I don't know what they would have done with someone who was in Spain illegally.

Generally you should be okay, because I don't think the police spend much time looking for illegal English teaches, but of course there is always a risk.