I AM HERE WITH A TOURIST VISA CAN I APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT HERE IN EUROPE?
WHERE DO YOU APPLY FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT?
One of the most common mistake in the application process if somebody who is not entitled submits the application inside the country where he or she desires to reside. Plenty people believes that it is easier to get a work permit or a residence permit if he or she submits the application in the European Union. BUT THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE!
I have seen lots of sad stories: The applicants get a tourist visa, arrive to the EU to submit their application with the delusion there is easier to obtain the permissions in Europe. They are spending all of their money for getting the visa, buying the plane tickets (sometimes they even loan from loansharks) But unfortunately, they will be disappointed: The EU regulations are very strict on that. Only the citizens of the preferred countries can apply inside the EU. All the others have to apply in their home country (or where they reside).
The application for residence permit may be submitted to any consulate or embassy located in the country where the applicant’s permanent or temporary residence is located, or in the country of the applicant’s nationality. If an unauthorized person submits his application inside the EU it will be rejected and the applicant will get expulsion order. This will be a “black mark” on his resume. All of his new applications will be examined painstakingly.
Sometimes even a local lawyer is advices to submit the application in the EU. The lawyers, who do not have experience in immigration law believe they have found a loophole because there is according the regulation in exceptional circumstances the Authorities can accept the unauthorized person application. But forget it! I have been working in the immigration law for years, but I have never seen that any grown up applicant who successfully applied by pleading on this. Only newly born children of the foreigners could apply in the EU by pleading on these exceptional circumstances.
Only the citizens of the preferred countries can apply inside the EU
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE ON THE PREFERED LIST?
They are listed in the 539/2001 EC Council regulation
Only the citizens of the following countries can submit their residence permit application in the EU.
Andorra Argentina Australia Bolivia Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Canada Chile Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Ecuador Estonia Guatemala Holy See Honduras Hungary Israel Japan Latvia Lithuania Malaysia Malta Mexico Monaco New Zealand Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Poland Romania (*) Salvador San Marino Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Switzerland United States of America Uruguay Venezuela
Hong Kong, Macao
The member countries can add easement for certain countries. For example, Hungary allows the Serbian and the Ukranian citizens to submit their application in Hungary. But all other case: Do not submit your applications from the EU!
