Job Discussion Forums

Lucky99 · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 12

I am about to leave Poland for good, but i have a question. When i leave, my 3 month visa will expire ten days before i leave the country. I was wondering if this is going to be a big deal and should i make arrangements to try and leave and come back before this time in order to renew my visa?

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Wow. That's a really good question. I may be in the same boat. I'd like to add one more question. HOw long does a person have to leave the country for in order to renew their tourist stamp? I'm talking about Americans, Canadians etc. I heard from one person that all you have to do is cross the border and then you can just turn around and come back and I heard from another guy that you should be gone for 72 hours. Anyone know anything about this?

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Well that's the obvious answer. Fact is there's not enough time...at least not for me. It's run for the border! You're advice might be good for someone who would never work illegally in a foreign country. I can get the same advice you gave from my Mother!

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Wow. Not very nice. Yes I realized that I used 'you're' when I should have used 'your'. I realized it after I posted it. Making a typo doesn't make me unfit to teach English. Maybe my words were a bit strong but fact is I AM teaching illegally and there are plenty of us out here doing it. Maybe I'm just not as holy as you are. Alright I will stop the insults and sarcasm. I appreciated the advice you gave me earlier concerning the visa run. Wait a minute...you're (not 'your') the same guy that told me I didn't need to cross the border for any specified amount of time! Maybe you just saw my 'fighting' words and wanted to come after me?? Well whatever the case I'd still like to know if anyone knows for sure how long a person should leave Poland for in order to renew their tourist visa.
And just because I don't like someone's advice doesn't mean I won't continue looking for it here. 95 percent of the advice I get here is helpful. I'm sorry if I disappointed you Alex by not getting my work permit. Smile

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

OH and 'junkmail' perhaps I owe you an apology concerning the comment about advice from my mother. I appreciate people's advice even if I can't use it.
If a novice skier was skiing too fast and broke his leg, he'd want to know where the nearest hospital was. I don't think he'd be interested in hearing advice about how he should not have been skiing so fast (even if it's true). Cheers!

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

You're (not 'your') right. I ought to be working legally. And concerning the visa run I wanted to get a second opinion since I heard from someone else that I should be out of the country for 72 hours (not that I don't trust you).
And I do think that securing a work permit is a bit complex...for an American or Canadian anyway. Sometimes it is very impractical. A school may need the services of a native speaker immediately. As an American, should I fly home and spend 8 weeks applying for a work permit or agree to substitute teach for a few days illegally? I refuse to be that tightly wound concerning legal or illegal work.

Michael Gaylord · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Kalisz, Poland

Whew!
Sounds like there's potential for getting "trapped" outside of Poland, or illegally inside (hmmm, which would be worse?) under the right circumstances.
I was wondering how to avoid such a pitfall of my own in the next month. My work contract is ending in a month, don't have a new one yet (for the fall), but I may want to come back and visit Poland (after exploring Eastern Europe) in August. Is it as simple as just making sure that I leave here BEFORE/ or on the date of my CONTRACT ending, and then hanging on to my CANADIAN PASSPORT and showing it at the border when I return?
Or, do I have to LEAVE NOW and get a tourist visa in Berlin. But, if I did that, will I risk NOT GETTING BACK into POLAND now (before the end of June, that is) because I didn't get the RESIDENCY STATUS during my past year hear?
Sounds like a potential conumdrum...any light shed on these questions would sure be appreciated.

Mike

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

You can get trapped both inside and outside Poland, I know people whom it has happened to. Getting stuck outside is probably worse if you have a lot of stuff because you need to arrange for somebody to pack it all up and ship it to you. Getting stuck inside is worse if you're short of cash because the fine you have to pay gets bigger everyday.

With all this said I have only ever known three people who actually went through the deportation process. One was a man with pretty serious mental health issues who was extradited to the UK to answer charges that he murdered his wife and mother-in-law (he was actually dragged out of class by the police - great PR for the school). One was a woman who reported herself for overstaying because she had no money for a plane ticket home and fancied a free ride. She was locked up for and told she'd be doing 28 days before they deported her. Luckily we got the embassy involved and they covered her plane ticket home and the fine. The other was an American man whose girlfriend reported him for overstaying so she could live in the flat he owned by herself. He changed his name as soon as he got to the USA and was back about three weeks later with his new passport. I think he actually got residency after that.

Kymro · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 244

Kymro · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 244

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 10:25 am Post subject:

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Thanks Greg.