Post
by Irazema » Sat Dec 29, 2012 1:57 pm
First off, I hope I posted this in the correct category. I'm a U.S. citizen and obtained a job IN Italy through an agency located in London. Before doing so I asked the agency if I got a job in Italy would I be able to stay beyond the 90 days allowed by law, they assured it'd be no problem. The agency located a family (nanny) in Rome whom I'd be working for 6/12 mos, however, while making my travel arrangements and signing/accepting the position via the net I get told differently by them, that I'd have to apply for a student visa or work permit. I had no time to do this and figured I could deal with the legalities once I was settled into my job. Turns out the position didn't work out due to language barrier by the family I was placed with. I had to leave immediately but I didn't want to return to the States with already spending a good sum of money and months of preparation at home. I came to stay with a friend in London but was really interrogated by customs because I didn't have the physical address to my friend and no return ticket to show for the States. I provided 3 credit cards and 1200 Euros as proof that I wasn't entering to obtain work in the UK. I was very nervous and didn't want to involve how I was mislead and say the agency was located in London. As for a return ticket, I do have one but again since it's dated for a return in mid June I just figured all this would bring up more needed explanation and I'd have to bring up the agency. They told me they could at that moment make me return to the States because of lack of information. They also asked me when I'd be leaving the UK. I told them I'd be returning back to the States in 30 days. After 45mins of interrogation they let me enter but advised me that in so many words my passport had been flagged. In the meantime the agency is trying to locate another position that more than likely will be in Italy or a small chance it may be Switzerland. I've read on the net that I could be banned from the UK, fined and possibly jailed. In addition, my understanding is I can stay up to 6 mos or at least 3 without a problem, but since having this conversation with customs does that mean I must LEAVE in 30 days as I had told them? And must my departure be back to the U.S.? I have a friend in Italy as well whom I can stay with. I'm rather stressed about this matter. My 30 days will expire on the 15th of January 2013. This agency doesn't resume from holidays til the 7th of January. Many thanks to anyone that can advise me what/how to handle this. It appears by the lack of responses and only "views" they may not be an answer I can obtain on this forum. Can anyone tell me if there's a direct phone number to UK customs in which I can speak to someone there to answer my question? I've "googled" and even gone to their website and didn't see one or at least not specific to my situation.
