Overstaying a tourist visa in Spain

December 8, 2008 9:47 AM

A friend of mine is heading to Spain on a student visa. His wife is joining him on a tourist visa. What happens when her visa runs out 37 days before his?

Will overstaying her visa result in a fine or any other punishment? Will anything happen to them at the airport in Spain or back to the US? Is there a way for her to extend her visa? Is this something for them to be concerned about at all?

posted by mizrachi to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

This is a question easily and best answered by the Spanish Embassy or US Department of State.

Anything else is pretty much anecdoctal. Possibly useful, but not a real answer.
posted by crush-onastick at 10:00 AM on December 8, 2008

Generally speaking, you do not want to ever tempt the wrath of immigration officials. Overstaying a visa is a good way to have unforeseen problems in the future.
posted by bshort at 10:38 AM on December 8, 2008

I would say it's only worth being concerned about if they plan on overstaying her visa.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:46 AM on December 8, 2008

Tourist visas can typically be extended at tourist agencies. Can she simply get a 1 or 3 month visa "re-up" when her visa is close to expiring? I do this often in Viet Nam.
posted by aloneinvietnam at 10:54 AM on December 8, 2008

......years ago I would have recommended getting the ferry from Tarifa to Morroco and visit for a weekend.
Check this out carefully with a travel agent before you go as the full travellers information will be required when buying the ticket. But on the way back in she may just have her passport stamped for another 3 months.

you should be concerned, things have tightened up a lot since the attacks in Madrid. so check and double check. Your Embassy will probably have a suggestion.
posted by Wilder at 1:31 PM on December 8, 2008