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Visa Question
I have been struggling to find some answers in relation to visa questions. I am currently in Belgium on a student visa, that expires on Dec. 31, 2013. My partner and I want to apply for a co-habitation visa. He is Belgian and I am American. We have everything needed for the visa, my question is more about the logistics. I have a valid visa until Dec 31, as I mentioned. No one at city hall can seem to give me an answer about if I have to turn in my current residence card if I apply for the cohabitation visa. Once, I was told by one worker in city hall that I should apply while still here on my student visa, because I could still use that, meaning I would be able to travel outside of the EU, which is the main point of concern as my partner and I would like to travel to the US for Christmas. So my main questions are: has anyone experienced applying for a new visa while here under a different visa status? Were you given an orange card? Were you able to travel outside of the EU with the orange card? If anyone has any advice or similar experiences, I would appreciate hearing it!
When i was cohabitated (i was here under tourist visa) i was issued orange card, and they were strictly told me not to even travel out of the country which i didnt see the point because it is in the schengen union.
So with risk of immigration control i did a first travel to BERLIN Germany alone where my papa lives. As i supposed there they were the custom officers caught me and asked my ID card (its very normal here for me as i am from south asia) , so i showed them my orange card. After few mintus of questioning they let me go.
Then I had the same situaton like you, after cohabitated i was invited my first xmas to argentina from my partner family.
To go to argentina i needed visa, So i produced all the papers they needed together with my orange card (i have been bit tricky in this case bcos i just wanted to know whether they accept my orange card or not to grant my visa briefly) to consular of argentina, For god sake they accepted it, then my confidence was rather stronger.
So with a second risk of immigration control i went to argentina via madrid, i was with my partner and they did not even ask any single question both go and return. I just gave my passport (from south asia) with the orange ID card and they just stamped on it.
Be sure what ever u do it is all your own risk, But in case of immigration or custom control just be sure not be paniked. Ask your partner to present him self also during your controls and so on...
BEst of LUck!!!
Just apply for co-habitation if you are ready for that, you cannot travel on your orange card. But if you apply and leave for christmas you can come back on a tourist visa for three months and settle all the paperwork once you are back. Dont listen to anyone at the Commune, do research online
