Dear sir or madam,

I am thinking to go to England in a few days.One reason why I go to England is that I am already in Schengen countries for 3 months this time.

First of all,I have travelled and worked (as a volunteer) in Europe for 2 years.During I travelled,some friends told me that travellers can only stay in Schengen countries up to 3 months.I did not know about this immigration law.Since I have got this information,I always left from Schengen countries every 3 or 6 months,for example to Switzerland or Serbia for a few weeks or a few months.And then I got back to Schengen countries.

However,recently,some friend told me that you must leave from Schengen countries at least for 3 months,then you can get back.That means I was in Schengen countries for 2 years illegally,does'nt it?

Secondly,actually,I flied from Basel Switzerland to London 2 years ago because I had an appointment to work in England.However,I was sent back to London.It is very compricated to explain but anyway immigration officer fond I work there.They told me that you must have a work permit if you work.I told that I just visit some friend and help as a volunteer.However,they did not accept it.It was really disgusting for me.

I worry this problem may be reflect when I go to England this time and I may be sent back again.I do not have any appointment to work in England this time.Also,I worry I may have problems to get back in Schengen countries both in 3 moths and in the future,because I may be in Schengen countries for 2 years illegally.

Could you teach how to stay in Europe properly?And,could you teach how I can improve if I may have problems to go to England and get back Schengen countries.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Tamaki

lawanwadee

There are currently 24 Schengen countries and all of them are in Europe.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Norway and Iceland are not members of European Union.
United Kingdom and Ireland are members of the European Union, but do not belong to the Schengen area.

Schengen visa allows the holder to a total stay of up to 90 days within a period of 6 months for tourist or business purposes. If you get a multiple entry Schengen visa, you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days. You need to apply for Schengen visa if you are a citizen of a country whose citizens are subject to the visa requirement. Schengen visa must be applied in person, NOT by mail.

Once you get a Schengen visa, you can enter one country and travel freely anywhere within Schengen territory. Internal border controls have been abolished and there are no or few stops and checks. Internal air, road and train travel are handled as domestic trips, just like traveling from one state in the US to another. Traveling within Europe has got simplified with Schengen visa as the unified visa system offers many advantages. The Schengen Agreement still allows the customs control as long as there is no passport check, and checks are made randomly, or at real suspicions.

Having Schengen visa does not guarantee that you may enter UK, and since you have been denied entry once, you may not be able to go there without proper visa. If you want to go to work even as a volunteer, have the organization that you will be working for issue a reference and apply a visa for you.