Long Stay (D) Schengen Visa Application for South African

DarrenZA · Post by **DarrenZA** » Thu May 20, 2010 11:29 am

Hey everybody,

I am looking at spending some time in Spain around September. I'm currently on a South African passport so will require a Schengen visa. I was interested in staying for 3months, but seeing as a short stay visa only allows 90 days within a 180 day period, this does not help as I have just come back from a month trip in Spain.

My next option is a long stay visa. I have been looking online for more information regarding this visa but haven't found too much. I'm 22 years old and I'm a freelance web developer. I could work for my South African clients while in Spain, would it be possible to perhaps get a self-employed visa then? Or would doing a Spanish course in Spain help my chances? Finding employment online is going to be difficult as my Spanish is limited.

Please let me know what you think the best option would be for me...
Thanks,
Darren

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Thu May 20, 2010 12:22 pm

You would need the Spanish equivalent of a Work Permit, which would be Spain only not EU-wide.

I've no idea how to get one or where to look, tried the Spanish Consulate?

DarrenZA · Post by **DarrenZA** » Thu May 20, 2010 5:50 pm

Thanks for the reply, will go ask the consulate on Monday morning next week, just wanted to try get as much information as possible beforehand so I have some idea of what direction I should be moving towards. Surely a country will be less strict if you are earning money from a foreign country (therefore not taking jobs locals could do)? I've also read a long stay visa allows you to travel inbetween shengen states freely now.

Post by **Directive/2004/38/EC** » Fri May 21, 2010 11:32 am

I don't see why they will give you a long term visa or a work visa.

You presently have a Schengen visa? Have you also had them previously? Are you presently employed in the UK or self-employed?

Your best bet may be to live and work primarily here and spend half your year in Spain (two 90 day trips).

DarrenZA · Post by **DarrenZA** » Fri May 21, 2010 12:12 pm

Hi, I'm currently living in South Africa with only a South African passport. I have only had short stay Schengen visas in the past (allow up to 90 days). All my clients are based in South Africa but all work is done via email. Apparently the best way to go around this would be to first get a short stay visa in South Africa from the Spanish consulate and then while there try to find a Spanish job which might allow me to extend it while still there. Do you think that could work...?

Just to clarify, with short term visas, is it 90days within a 180day period, or do I have to be absent from the EU for 180days in order to stay there for 90 days?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Fri May 21, 2010 12:15 pm

DarrenZA wrote:Hi, I'm currently living in South Africa with only a South African passport. I have only had short stay Schengen visas in the past (allow up to 90 days). All my clients are based in South Africa but all work is done via email. Apparently the best way to go around this would be to first get a short stay visa in South Africa from the Spanish consulate and then while there try to find a Spanish job which might allow me to extend it while still there. Do you think that could work...?

Just to clarify, with short term visas, is it 90days within a 180day period, or do I have to be absent from the EU for 180days in order to stay there for 90 days?

90 in any 180

I think u'll struggle to get a WP or long stay visa, the obligation here is for local then EU candidates....

DarrenZA · Post by **DarrenZA** » Fri May 21, 2010 12:42 pm

OK thanks, so I could essentially spend 6months of the year in Europe then?

I think that is my best bet for now, and then while in Spain perhaps I could find an English web development company or something English related while learning Spanish at the same time. Wouldn't it be possible to extend a visa if I was to study Spanish there? Or would it need to be with an accredited university?

Thanks for all the replies so far, every bit helps!

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Fri May 21, 2010 12:46 pm

DarrenZA wrote:OK thanks, so I could essentially spend 6months of the year in Europe then?

I think that is my best bet for now, and then while in Spain perhaps I could find an English web development company or something English related while learning Spanish at the same time. Wouldn't it be possible to extend a visa if I was to study Spanish there? Or would it need to be with an accredited university?

Thanks for all the replies so far, every bit helps!

Don't forget the tax implications too, you don't want to have a deportation order to deal with too!

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Long Stay (D) Schengen Visa Application for South African

Long Stay (D) Schengen Visa Application for South African