overstayed, should I leave/return, or apply for residency?

[bucky]

hi,

I seem to have gotten myself into a little bind. I'm a U.S. citizen, and have recently come to the Netherlands to reunite with my husband who has residency here. I wasn't sure if I was going to stay, so I ended up delaying more than the 3 months before contacting the IND. (yes, I deserve a flogging). I am now overstaying my visa by almost 2 months, and am wondering what I should do if I want to become legal. I see two choices:

1. Apply immediately for residency with the IND. I would have to pay around 800 euros even if they ended up refusing me residency. So I could be out more than US$1000, which I could barely afford.

or

2. Go to the UK or Prague for a few days and see if I can get a nice fresh stamp on my passport when I return. If the Netherlands lets me back in, I'd still have to pay the 800 euro, but my residency would be more assured. But if they didn't let me back in, I would be stranded.

I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, or opinions. What do you think would be the best option?

[RobinLondon]

What is the citizenship of your husband?

[bucky]

he's american too, but he has residency through his job.

[Dawie]

hi,

I seem to have gotten myself into a little bind. I'm a U.S. citizen, and have recently come to the Netherlands to reunite with my husband who has residency here. I wasn't sure if I was going to stay, so I ended up delaying more than the 3 months before contacting the IND. (yes, I deserve a flogging). I am now overstaying my visa by almost 2 months, and am wondering what I should do if I want to become legal. I see two choices:

1. Apply immediately for residency with the IND. I would have to pay around 800 euros even if they ended up refusing me residency. So I could be out more than US$1000, which I could barely afford.

or

2. Go to the UK or Prague for a few days and see if I can get a nice fresh stamp on my passport when I return. If the Netherlands lets me back in, I'd still have to pay the 800 euro, but my residency would be more assured. But if they didn't let me back in, I would be stranded.

I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, or opinions. What do you think would be the best option?

As a US citizen you do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands. Can you please explain what kind of visa you received then?

[bucky]

yes, I should have said I overstayed my time limit, not my visa; I don't have any type of visa. I only have the date of entry stamped on my passport.

I think I'll just go to immigrations and see if they complain about me trying to become legal.