I planned to quit my job next year and find a new one. But then it hit me: why not use the gap between jobs to travel some? I've never spent a summer abroad or backpacked across Europe, and I'm envious when I hear people talk about their experiences.

So I'm thinking about a trip to Italy. I'm already learning the language, so a big benefit is that I'd likely be fluent by the end.

Here's the catch: I'd like to stay for four to six months.

Here's a bigger catch: I'd like to work part-time, simple jobs while I'm there (on a farm, in a restaurant, any sort of manual labor) so that I don't deplete my bank account.

Is this even doable? One one hand, I'm not looking to steal a good job from anyone...I don't want to make much money, just enough for a room somewhere and food.

I wouldn't be surprised if this sort of thing is slightly illegal, but I don't feel too guilty pursuing it considering some Europeans do this sometimes when visiting America.

Any thoughts?

Grazie,

-N

Forget the working - just staying as a tourist that long isn't possible/legal. Unless you have a student or other type of visa, you will be limited to 90 days w/i any 180 days in the entire Schengen zone. (that isn't just Italy - but basically most of western Europe w/ a few exceptions)

So you could cut your trip back to 90 days, or check out some non-schengen countries.

See I'm not sure about that, because there's this from a travel website:

"If you’re planning a six-month vacation, you should consider the short-stay permit. A three-month permit can be renewed for an additional three months."

I know that would work in Buenos Aires, you can get 90 day visas and renew them fairly easily. But not so sure if you can find work , in any country, without resident status. ( that is the bummer, how great it would be if we could just go and work and stay longer )
Good luck, nphinit, Or, wishing you infinite luck

How can something be "slightly illegal"? Are there different degrees of illegality? Is something more illegal then other? Just wonder...

nphinit: care to share which travel web site you are quoting?

BTW - even if you WERE allowed in for that long you would need to demonstrate you have enough money to support yourself the entire time. If they thought you needed to work under the table you would not be allowed into the country.

Illegal but not prosecuted because it's largely inconsequential.

http://www.livingabroadin.com/Italy/...g_redtape.html

I could prove I can support myself for the entire time; but I of course don't want to spend that much money. The point is to try to roughly break even...

They will not renew the permit after the 90 days. It used to be possible, but it is very hard after 9/11.

As for "How can something be "slightly illegal"? Are there different degrees of illegality? Is something more illegal then other? Just wonder..."

Have you ever lived in Italy? You would discover a whole new scale of legality!! ;oP
I am joking of course.

This said, Italy is full of people without a permit and of people who stay way longer than 90 days. Of course if they find out about it you are sent back home and I am pretty certain that you are not allowed in the Schengen area for a while.

What you could do is go back home for a couple of weeks and then come back. I am not sure whether there are limitations in that sense.

&quot;<i>What you could do is go back home for a couple of weeks and then come back</i>&quot;

Nope - it is 90 days w/i any 180 days. That means if the OP stayed 80 days and went home - he would only be allowed back in for 10 days more w/i the same 6 month period.

Now of course he <i>might</i> get away w/ it. But being denied entry and deported is an expensive way to find out.

Why not just plan on 3 months and do it legally?? . . . . . .

Oh, Casina, if seriously, I know A LOT about working &quot;under the table&quot; in the US, being a (LEGAL!) emigrant here.

When we were in Romania, we met a woman who was on her way to italy with a 3 month tourist visa. She already had a job lined up taking care of a old man. This was apparently a common setup. She would come back to Romania at the end of three months and after a period of time go back under a new visa. When I went to France as a student, eons ago, I never received my visa for the 15 months that I stayed there. All I had was a <i>r&eacute;cipic&eacute;</i> stating that I had applied for a visa. nphinit might be able to do the same thing to extend a 3 month visa, or has the bureaucracy become more efficient?

3-month tourist visas are not extensible, apparently. If you get caught after the deadline, in theory, you face expulsion and a 10-year ban from all Schengen countries.

In practice, it is very unlikely you will be treated as such, but you won't be able to work legally, anyway. That means that you will probably be able to find some jobs as most illegal immigrants do, but I don't think this is a comfortable situation, if you can avoid it.

It is worth to investigate another option: check if it is possible to get a new 90-day EU visa if you move to a neighbouring non-Schengen country and ask for it at the local US embassy. For example, try Morocco or Turkey.

This is most intersting and I am embarrassed to say that I am shocked about the 90 day limit. Last year I went to Europe and stayed just a bit under 4 months and never even considered that I was doing something illegal. No questions were asked at customs? I was in Switzerland, is that a different rule?
Thanks so much
Pat

mystic1947: Switzerland is not in the Schengen Zone (neither is the UK)

Members are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Thank you janisj, since I posted I started looking on the net and can't find how long a US citizen can stay in Switzerland. I plan on going for 4 months again this year.

Thanks for your help
Pat

Hmm...well maybe I'll have to settle for 3 months. It's a shame though...I wish it was easier to meander around the world with less red tape, but perhaps it isn't realistic these days...Thanks for the advice!

You could plan in spending more time in Momaco and Switzerland, as long as your money holds out!

Mystic - All you have to do is look at the State Department website. I tried posting this earlier, but it disappeared.

SWITZERLAND - *Passport required (must be valid for at least 3 months after leaving Swiss territory). Visa not required for tourism/study stay of less than 90 days. Visa not required for business/medical stay of up to 90 days. Stays exceeding 3 months require a visa and residence permit. Visa requires a valid passport, 1 passport photo, proof of residency, onward/return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and a letter from employer including your position and salary. For further information, contact the Embassy of Switzerland, 2900 Cathedral Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (202/745-7900) or the nearest Consulate General: CA (310/575-1145 or 415/788-2272), GA (404/870-2000), IL (312/915-0061), NY (212/599-5700), or TX (713/650-0000).Internet: www.swissemb.org

For any other Americans wanting visa information.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...es_1229.html#s