Job Discussion Forums

[saren]

Canadian (w/o work permit) needs to make an important decision...

Everyone knows you have to have a work permit to work legaly teaching English in Europe, but the reality is many Americans/Canadians are here teaching in Spain as tourists. Some stay a few months, others are overstaying years. I have to decide which group I want to belong to.

I would really like to overstay. But, the reality is my 3 month duration (in the Schengen zone) is up at the end of January. Legally, I'm supposed to exit Spain, (which is part of Schengen, just like much of Europe is) 3 months after I first arrive. That's 90 days inside the zone. Then, I have to spend 90 days outside Schengen (I was thinking of teacching in Moroccoo), and then re-entering Schengen (but to another country, perhaps Italy, or Scandanavia)?

My online research says to follow the rules, and leave Europe every 90 days. But, at the same time I'm meeting so many people in Madrid, and Barcelona who have been illegaly teaching, and overstaying for months, if not years.

I need to decide what to do? My ultimate plan is to teach a couple months in each, and every major Euroepan TEFL market (Spain, Poland, Czech, etc...). I don't want to be banned from Europe, nor pay a heavy immigration fine. I don't want trouble at the immigration check, nor do I want my passport stamps counted (to see how many days I've been in, and out of Schengen). In Spain, I've heard the immigration officials are quite sleepy, or lazy and don't even look at the passport pages of Canadians, or Americans. But, I won't always be entering, and exiting through Spain (chances are once I leave, I won't be return). There are just too many European capitals to visit, to make return trips). During my European teaching/traveling duration, I plan to do a lot of moving around.

I expect to be teaching in different parts of Europe (all part of Schengen), and I need to feel convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Remember, I'm planning on overstaying in Europe (via several different points of entry, and exit). I'm not just planning on staying in one place (like many people do here in Spain), and then just go back home to Canada for holidays. I'm talking more intense. I'm talking about staying in Spain 3 months, then overstaying 2 months in Italy, and then another month in Poland, etc...

What's the worst that can happen? What is more likely to happen?

Thanks.

[spiral78]

Well, I suspect that your plan's doomed to failure at some juncture.

Firstly, you are unlikely to be welcomed by employers in most European countries for such short teaching periods. Normal contracts are September through June, and someone wanting to work just a couple of months is an unattractive candidate. Of course, skipping out on contracts is an option, but you'll build up no credible work history this way, of course.

Secondly, border officials in the new Schengen member countries are quite likely to be less 'sleepy' than the Spanish ones. Their credibility is being scrutinized from above, and I would not personally want to be technically illegal. Other countries, such as Germany and Austria, have always taken the fine points of legalities very seriously. Spain's a special case in terms of its relaxed application of laws, in many cases.

I'd say you would be at relatively high risk of being caught, trying this scheme.

[spiral78]

Sorry, I omitted the point regarding penalties - I think you could be liable for everything from expulsion from a country, to a refusal to allow you to enter a new one, to a permanent mark in your passport identifying you as someone who has broken the visa laws of the EU.

[Insubordination]

I'm sure plenty of people work illegally and break immigration laws and think it'll all be sweet because they are a westerner or a special exception and these countries have decent governments and they aren't going to be thrown in the clink for it.

You probably could do it but I think you shouldn't because you are worried about it this far in advance. I'd say it will cause long-term low-level stress for you. You'll constantly worry that you're going to get caught. Imagine lining up in passport control and have your heart beating and sweating and then being pulled aside for an interview and having to give lame excuses. It's probably not worth it. Easier to work legally somewhere, save money and vagabond.

[mdk]

So who says that you have to stay in the Schengen zone. If they want to be so darned prissy that's their tough luck.

I am about to return to Europe and if I find a place where I want to stick around for more than 90 days then I will go to the bother of finding an immigration lawyer. For the time being I plan to travel and look around for a bit anyway.

(NB: Here is my anecdote about lawyers. One of the 20th century robber barons was told by his house lawyer that his plan was illegal. The robber baron said, " I don't pay you to tell me that, go back and figure out how I can do it anyway.")

In the meantime there are lots and lots of nice places to go and stay for 90 days besides Morocco. I personally like Croatia, but almost all of the western Balkans have their drawing points. Then there is Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, the Ukraine, and Russia. Most of whom would agree that a 90 day stint there should not be considered as a banishment to Hades.