Spider72

I am a U.S. citizen who will be visiting Sweden for the first time next year. I just got a passport a few months ago and also bought a round-trip ticket. I have two questions I was hoping you guys could help me with:

1) My flight departs the U.S. on 1/25/2014 and reaches Iceland on 1/26/2015 before it reaches Stockhom the same day. I will be leaving from Stockholm on 4/25/2015. That’s approximately 90 days if you count the entry day and the exit day. Will I be breaking the “90 days or less without a visa” rule if I leave on the 90th day? (Due to time zones and such, when I arrive back in the U.S. it will still be 4/25/2015 when I officially am back home). Should I change my return flight to a few days before 4/25/2015 just in case?

2) Will I be asked to show proof of sufficient funds when I enter Iceland (or Stockholm)? If so, how much in SEK/USD and in what form? Do I need SEK instead of USD or can I just show a bank statement from my bank showing a balance? Would presenting my credit cards with credit card statements showing the available credit also work?

Thanks so much for the help!!!

adrienne

What do you mean "approximately" 90 days. It's either 90 days or it's not. You have to be accurate. Arrival and departure days count. You can be in the Schengen countries for 90 days so I don't understand the question. If you're there for 90 days there is no way you're breaking the law.

The only place I've ever been questioned in Europe is in the UK. I doubt anyone will ask you and you don't need to bring bank statements. A credit card and return ticket is fine.

You don't take any money with you, outside of some pocket money to buy something at the airport in the US. Use an ATM card to get money upon arrival.

You need to use local currency.

Spider72

By "approximately" I mean if you count from 1/26/2015 (arrival in Iceland/Stockholm) to 4/25/2015 (leaving Stockholm/Iceland) it is 90 days exactly. Perhaps I'm not using that word correctly.

To be more precise, I arrive in Iceland at around 0600 local time and leave Stockholm around 1400 local time. So if you go by the hours I'm actually a little bit over, but it is 90 days on the dot.

Sorry for the confusion!

adrienne

I think it's the days that count since the rule is 90 days.

DebitNM

Pretty sure there is no time stamp, just date.

Spider72

Thanks for the clarification!

adrienne

I just checked my passport and it's only stamped with the date.

janisj

90 days isn't an issue -- you've got 90 days on the dot.

However - You've never been and are staying 90 days? That might raise some red flags for immigration officers. You'll probably be fine . . . BUT you aren't guaranteed being allowed into the country at all. It is just that if admitted, you can stay 90 days.

If they think you'll be working during your stay, or IF you are visiting a significant other and might overstay . . . they aren't required to let you in.

Spider72

I am visiting my girlfriend while I am there. Should I maybe not stay that long? I do have a return ticket that I can show them with the return date. I don't want to break any Swedish laws, especially since I would like to move there someday with her (and go through all the right steps to do that of course).

DebitNM

I would not say you are visiting your girlfriend. Just that you are a tourist.

janisj

>>Just that you are a tourist.<< But that was my point -- very few simple 'tourists' stay 3 months in one place. And who knows how many boxes you tick. Young? No job? Not attending University? Swedish girlfriend?

Like I said -- you'll likely be absolutely fine but there is no way to 'know' until you are standing there in front of the border agent.

DebitNM

How would they know he is going to stay in one place? Only that he is entering and exiting from the same place. What he does inbetween - travel all over or whatever -- would explain why someone would be in europe for 3 months
We are flying in and out of CPH for our upcoming 3 month trip. We aren't staying on day in CPH. Except that we are older, we are the same. Doubt any one will question us.

Spider72

I'm actually a she if that matters...

I'm probably over thinking some things but I just want to make sure everything is good to go well in advance. That's also why I asked the second question, because I do have a good amount of money saved up for the trip as well as credit cards and am wondering if I should have proof of that in case.

DebitNM

Sorry for jumping to conclusion.

Spider72

No problem!

DebitNM

janisj

>>How would they know he is going to stay in one place? <<

Because they will ask her, and the answers had better be truthful. They may not ask "Are you staying in one place" - but they probably will ask for an address, and how long, and the reason for the visit, and some seemingly chatty/innocuous questions looking for any 'issues'

DebitNM: My guess is you have never stood in line behind someone being asked all sorts of questions - nor traveled w/ someone who gets flustered easily and gets examined closely because they acted nervous.

Spider -- I'm really not trying to scare you, but one must understand what the possibilities are. Like I said, you will probably be just fine and will laugh about being nervous. Don't volunteer any info but be sure to answer any questions truthfully.

Spider72

Thank you janisj, I will keep that in mind. My way of handling nerves is to know what I'm getting into after all. Do you have any information on my second question possibly?