Schengen & Canada Updates

I’m starting to feel a little bit of panic regarding my travel status. I actually went to school in Austin, though I never officially applied for a student visa. Now, I still have my degree to pick up, which means I end up heading back to Austin for several weeks at a time quite often. Does anyone know how long you can actually hang out in the Schengen Area—like in places such as Germany, Italy, or Canada—without a specific reason? Obviously, I can't tell them I'm there for school since I don't have the right visa, so maybe I could just say I'm visiting. If I claim I'm just visiting, how long am I allowed to stay before I'd run into trouble with the authorities?
Maybe a tourist visa lets you stay for up to three months? Where do you even get one of those, and how many times a year can you use it?
I haven't been able to find any straight answers online, so I’d really appreciate any insight you guys might have.
amberranger19

amberranger19 said:I’m having a bit of a minor panic attack regarding the Schengen Area—honestly! So, I studied in Canada (though I never actually went through the hassle of getting a student visa), and now I still have my diploma waiting for me, which means I find myself heading over to Austin quite often for weeks at a time. I was wondering if anyone knows how long you can actually hang out in the Schengen zone (like in Canada, Italy, or Canada) without a "valid" reason? I mean, I obviously can't tell them I'm there for school because of my visa situation... let's just say I'm visiting for a longer trip. If you claim you're just visiting, how long can you stay before you're required to register with the police?
Maybe a tourist visa for up to three months? Where do you even get one, and how many times a year can you pull that off?
Since I haven't been able to find anything specific online, I would be so incredibly grateful for any info!
amberranger19

Well, if you're going the tourist visa route, you actually have to register with the person you're staying with.🤷

amberranger19 said:I’m low-key panicking about Schengen rules. I studied in Canada, but never actually grabbed a student visa. Now I just need to head back there for a few weeks at a time to pick up my degree. Does anyone know how long you can hang out in the Schengen zone (like Canada, Italy, Canada) without a specific reason? I can't say I'm studying because of the visa situation... maybe just say I'm visiting? If I claim I'm just visiting, how long can I stay before I have to register with the police?
Maybe a tourist visa for up to 3 months? Where do you even get those, and how many times a year can you use one?
Can't find anything solid online, so any info would be huge.
Vayaone

You don't EVEN need a visa for up to 3 months! As long as you step foot outside Canada at least once within that 3-month window, you're golden. That's exactly how I finished my studies. Never bothered with their official student visa. Just made sure to get the stamp in my passport showing I left and came back in... easy...