So, I’ve looked around on this site for ages (it was so useful when I first got to spain), but I have a quick question about my visa that I’m hoping someone can help me with. I’ve been in Alicante since August on a student visa, and plan to stay until early September. I’m trying to figure out a way to stay in Spain longer than my visa permits, but I’m unsure about how to do that. I’ve been told here that I must return to my home country (the US) and reapply for a visa. This is not really a good option for me, especially considering the cost.
What I would like to do is stay in Spain until early September (about 10 days after my visa expires), at which point I would travel to Tanzania for about 5 weeks. My question is this: Can I return to Spain since I have been out of the Schengen countires, or would I be denied entrance because my old student visa is expired? Another option I have is to stay in France with my partner for a while after going to Tanzania. Would that be a better option for a traveler’s visa, or (as I’m guessing) does it make no difference because they are both part of the agreement? I’m grasping at any option to stay here, and I really don’t want that option to be “get married”.
Any help would be appreciated! I’ve read through all of the information here, but if I missed something that could help me, please point it out! Thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement

do watch out for site that will chagre you .

Thanks for your quick reply, but I already have a Schengen visa. I’m asking about what would happen if I were to go to Tanzania and try to return to spain or any other country in the agreement. The Wiki page does not answer that question, and I didn’t find any clear answer on spainexpat either, which is why I posted.
Thanks!

Hi,

If you then leave the Schengen area, you should stay out for at least 90 days before coming back in.

Also see here under “How long is the Schengen visa good for?”: http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/schengen_visa_spain/

why not ask United States Embassy that may be more clear what you can do in spain .... try here http://www.theschengenoffice.com/explained/schengen_visa.html

Hi
My friend’s sister did this and there was no problem, although she never tried it again (but she left to Africa before her Shengen visa expired).
Another girl who was living in France with her boyfriend went to Africa also before her Shengen visa expired, went to the consulate there and claimed she had lost her passport and needed one asap to return to France and catch her flight home.

I think it all depends on the inmigration officer who is on call that day.

Good luck!

let’s see if i have it right.
you are a USA citizen staying in spain now on student visa. ok?
you need the schengen visa to study in spain, but you do not need it as a tourist. so, once your student schengen visa is expired, you have to be out of the country. but then you can come any time with no visa if you just want to trave.
so, if you go to tanzania and then come back as a tourist, you should be ok. here is a pretty good site on schengen visa:
schengen visa but in any case, better check with the embassy if in doubt.