VISA Information for Countries

Schengen visa vs. Refugee Travel Document

vgor78 said:
For your information, the response I got from the Embassy of Belgium:

The Embassy of Belgium in Washington D.C.confirms that as of 1 March 2009, in accordance with annex nr. 3 of the Schengen visa code, holders of a US Refugee Travel Document I-571 do not require a visa to enter Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Slovakia.

You are welcome ;)
Click to expand...




Hello people, I will copy and paste the conversation between me and the Norwegian Embassy in San Francisco/CA. I just think the Embassies should be aware about the Travel Document...they look at it like it's an alien from Mars!!!

ME: Good morning Norwegian Embassy SF-CA

I live in Santa Barbara-California however I was born in Brazil and I have political Asylum. I just got my Refugee Travel Document and I was wondering If I need the "Schengen Visa" since I am not allowed to use the Brazilian passport anymore.
Can I go to Norway using the Travel Document or I need the "Schengen Visa"?


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: You do need a visa. Please bring both your travel document and old passport to the interview. Guidelines are found here:

http://www.norway.org/Embassy/Visa-a...San-Francisco/

Regards,

SO, I GATHERED ALL MY PAPERS, BANK STATMENTS, PICTURES, COPIES OF THIS AND THAT BLAH,BLAH, BLAH...AND I DROVE FROM LOS ANGELES AAAAAALLLLLLLL THE WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO JUST TO GET MY VISA. I HAD MY INTERVIEW AND HE SAID THAT I WOULD GET MY RTD IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS...EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

...days later...

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

I just left you a voicemail. As I was printing your visa I realized you’re a Brazilian national, who then would not normally need a visa to enter Norway. Do you still have your Brazilian passport, or is the U.S. Travel Document your current form of id? You may fall in between the various regulations, so I just want to make sure before I send your passport back (so you don’t have any issues on the border)

Regards,


ME: I would prefer to have the Schengen Visa even if you are not sure that it is required. Often, the airline personnel at the airport ticket counters or the cruise ship personnel at the ports are not familiar with the visa requirements. They tend to err on the side of caution. If I don't have a visa, I might be delayed boarding or denied a boarding pass altogether. I will be on a very tight timeline during my trip with a short connection in Germany and then only five days in Norway. Upon arrival in Venice, I will have only a couple of hours to get on the ship. So, any delay could ruin all of our plans.

As an asylee in the United States, I am forbidden from using my Brazilian passport for travel. I must use only the Refugee Travel Document issued by the United States or I risk losing my asylee status and could be deported to Brazil.

As I have paid the fees and provided all the required documentation, please issue the Schengen Visa.

Thank you so much


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

UDI has confirmed that as a Brazilian national with a US-issued travel document, you do not need a visa to enter Norway. I have also checked that Italy and Germany accept U.S. travel documents in the same fashion .

As such, I have cancelled the visa in your travel document, since we cannot issue visas to citizens of countries that do not require such permission to travel. I will include a letter with your passport that explains why we have not processed your visa, in case you are worried about airline personnel/ border authorities.

I have of course refunded the visa fee (which will go back on your card). I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this process has caused you.

Regards,
 
My history is similar to yours.

scully51 said:
Unfortunately for me the Spanish consulate at the time did not have any clear answer. I did go to my local consulate with all the paperwork just to be told that I didn't need a visa based on my country of citizenship. After my local consulate turned me away, I called other consulate offices around the country and was told the same thing over and over again that I did not need a visa.

As far as balls well not so much as I felt confident armed with knowledge. I had researched so much to include the European agreement signed when all countries joined the schengen(sp) area, in which states that we - folks with RTD issued in the US do not need a visa- thus many of the countries like Germany do not require one.

All politics aside, I would not recommend traveling with the stress of not knowing. I know Spain is a much desired destination but not really worth the stress.
Click to expand...



Hello people, I will copy and paste the conversation between me and the Norwegian Embassy in San Francisco/CA. I just think the Embassies should be aware about the Travel Document...they look at it like it's an alien from Mars!!!

ME: Good morning Norwegian Embassy SF-CA

I live in Santa Barbara-California however I was born in Brazil and I have political Asylum. I just got my Refugee Travel Document and I was wondering If I need the "Schengen Visa" since I am not allowed to use the Brazilian passport anymore.
Can I go to Norway using the Travel Document or I need the "Schengen Visa"?


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: You do need a visa. Please bring both your travel document and old passport to the interview. Guidelines are found here:

http://www.norway.org/Embassy/Visa-a...San-Francisco/

Regards,

SO, I GATHERED ALL MY PAPERS, BANK STATMENTS, PICTURES, COPIES OF THIS AND THAT BLAH,BLAH, BLAH...AND I DROVE FROM LOS ANGELES AAAAAALLLLLLLL THE WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO JUST TO GET MY VISA. I HAD MY INTERVIEW AND HE SAID THAT I WOULD GET MY RTD IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS...EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

...days later...

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

I just left you a voicemail. As I was printing your visa I realized you’re a Brazilian national, who then would not normally need a visa to enter Norway. Do you still have your Brazilian passport, or is the U.S. Travel Document your current form of id? You may fall in between the various regulations, so I just want to make sure before I send your passport back (so you don’t have any issues on the border)

Regards,


ME: I would prefer to have the Schengen Visa even if you are not sure that it is required. Often, the airline personnel at the airport ticket counters or the cruise ship personnel at the ports are not familiar with the visa requirements. They tend to err on the side of caution. If I don't have a visa, I might be delayed boarding or denied a boarding pass altogether. I will be on a very tight timeline during my trip with a short connection in Germany and then only five days in Norway. Upon arrival in Venice, I will have only a couple of hours to get on the ship. So, any delay could ruin all of our plans.

As an asylee in the United States, I am forbidden from using my Brazilian passport for travel. I must use only the Refugee Travel Document issued by the United States or I risk losing my asylee status and could be deported to Brazil.

As I have paid the fees and provided all the required documentation, please issue the Schengen Visa.

Thank you so much


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

UDI has confirmed that as a Brazilian national with a US-issued travel document, you do not need a visa to enter Norway. I have also checked that Italy and Germany accept U.S. travel documents in the same fashion .

As such, I have cancelled the visa in your travel document, since we cannot issue visas to citizens of countries that do not require such permission to travel. I will include a letter with your passport that explains why we have not processed your visa, in case you are worried about airline personnel/ border authorities.

I have of course refunded the visa fee (which will go back on your card). I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this process has caused you.

Regards,
 
Refugee vs. Reentry

cafeconleche said:
So with the refugee situation in Europe and the wave of right-wing party wins, the Schengen zone is getting a little hot. Those of you who're thinking of trying to fly to Germany on an RTD and then take a train to Switzerland or Denmark, for example, should seriously re-consider. Get a visa.

Here's an article about the situation in general, but you can find other articles online: http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/unrestricted+travel+within+Europe+about/4780022/story.html
Click to expand...


Hey Cafe, since you are the best here...what's the difference between Refugee Travel and Reentry?
 
Found it

gandrud said:
Hey Cafe, since you are the best here...what's the difference between Refugee Travel and Reentry?
Click to expand...




Advance Parole

Advance parole is issued solely to authorize the temporary parole of a person into the United States. The document may be accepted by a transportation company (airlines) instead of a visa as an authorization to travel to the United States.

An advance parole document does not replace your passport.

Advance parole is most commonly used when someone has Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, pending. If you depart the U.S. while your I-485 application is pending without first obtaining advance parole, your case will be denied unless you fit into a narrow exception for those maintaining certain nonimmigrant statuses.

Advance Parole for Asylees

An asylum applicant who has a pending Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and has not received a final decision may be allowed to travel outside the United States.

If you are an asylum applicant and you intend to travel outside the United States and return you must apply for and receive advance parole. If you leave the United States without first obtaining advance parole, we will presume you abandoned your asylum application.

Advance parole does not guarantee that you will be allowed to reenter the United States, rather, an immigration inspector from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must inspect you and determine whether you will be allowed to reenter the United States.

Refugee Travel Document

A refugee travel document is issued to a person who has been granted refugee or asylum status, or to a permanent resident who obtained a green card because they were a refugee or asylee.

If you hold refugee or asylee status and are not a permanent resident, you must have a refugee travel document to return to the United States.

Derivative asylees and refugees must also obtain a refugee travel document before leaving the United States.

If you do not obtain a refugee travel document in advance of departure, you may be unable to re-enter the United States, or you may be placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

For more information, see the “Fact Sheet: Traveling Outside the United States as an Asylum Applicant, an Asylee, or Lawful Permanent Resident Who Obtained Such Status Based on Asylum Status” link to the right

Re-entry Permit
A re-entry permit allows a permanent resident or conditional resident to apply for admission to the U.S. upon returning from abroad during the permit’s validity, without having to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or consulate. Permanent or conditional residents should apply for a re-entry permit if they will be outside the United States for one year or more.
 
Rtd

Kasperba said:
Anyone ever had trouble reentering US while traveling with RTD? I heard people whose visas were expired and had illegal 'presence' in US for certain period of time before receiving asylum status might have problem reentering USA, is it true? does anyone know about this. please help.
I have a valid asylee status and RTD. but my visa was expired for a while before i got valid stylee status.
Click to expand...

I want to know the same thing! Any news?
 
Letter from the Norwegian Consulate

gandrud said:
Hello people, I will copy and paste the conversation between me and the Norwegian Embassy in San Francisco/CA. I just think the Embassies should be aware about the Travel Document...they look at it like it's an alien from Mars!!!

ME: Good morning Norwegian Embassy SF-CA

I live in Santa Barbara-California however I was born in Brazil and I have political Asylum. I just got my Refugee Travel Document and I was wondering If I need the "Schengen Visa" since I am not allowed to use the Brazilian passport anymore.
Can I go to Norway using the Travel Document or I need the "Schengen Visa"?


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: You do need a visa. Please bring both your travel document and old passport to the interview. Guidelines are found here:

http://www.norway.org/Embassy/Visa-a...San-Francisco/

Regards,

SO, I GATHERED ALL MY PAPERS, BANK STATMENTS, PICTURES, COPIES OF THIS AND THAT BLAH,BLAH, BLAH...AND I DROVE FROM LOS ANGELES AAAAAALLLLLLLL THE WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO JUST TO GET MY VISA. I HAD MY INTERVIEW AND HE SAID THAT I WOULD GET MY RTD IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS...EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

...days later...

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

I just left you a voicemail. As I was printing your visa I realized you’re a Brazilian national, who then would not normally need a visa to enter Norway. Do you still have your Brazilian passport, or is the U.S. Travel Document your current form of id? You may fall in between the various regulations, so I just want to make sure before I send your passport back (so you don’t have any issues on the border)

Regards,


ME: I would prefer to have the Schengen Visa even if you are not sure that it is required. Often, the airline personnel at the airport ticket counters or the cruise ship personnel at the ports are not familiar with the visa requirements. They tend to err on the side of caution. If I don't have a visa, I might be delayed boarding or denied a boarding pass altogether. I will be on a very tight timeline during my trip with a short connection in Germany and then only five days in Norway. Upon arrival in Venice, I will have only a couple of hours to get on the ship. So, any delay could ruin all of our plans.

As an asylee in the United States, I am forbidden from using my Brazilian passport for travel. I must use only the Refugee Travel Document issued by the United States or I risk losing my asylee status and could be deported to Brazil.

As I have paid the fees and provided all the required documentation, please issue the Schengen Visa.

Thank you so much


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

UDI has confirmed that as a Brazilian national with a US-issued travel document, you do not need a visa to enter Norway. I have also checked that Italy and Germany accept U.S. travel documents in the same fashion .

As such, I have cancelled the visa in your travel document, since we cannot issue visas to citizens of countries that do not require such permission to travel. I will include a letter with your passport that explains why we have not processed your visa, in case you are worried about airline personnel/ border authorities.

I have of course refunded the visa fee (which will go back on your card). I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this process has caused you.

Regards,
Click to expand...



Dear XXXXXXX

The Norwegian Consulate General has returned your passport. Since you are a Brazilian national with a United States-issued Travel Document, you are allowed to visit the Schengen Area without first obtaining a visa up to 90 days. This includes visits to Norway, Germany and Italy.

Note that the visa in your passport has been cancelled without prejudice.

The consulate apologizes for the inconvenience this misinformation may have caused you.

Regards,

Magnus Aasbrenn
Consul


Ps: The Consul said I must have this official letter while traveling in the Schengen Area.
 
Schengen Visa and RTD

wantmygcnow said:
VISAS NOT REQUIRED: Transit or Short Term STay Visa(90 days)

Germany
Ireland
Singapore (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul/USA visa regulations.html)

ALL European Countries Require a Visa to enter their territories. See Exceptions below:

France:

Visitor Visa:
If you have a RTD and NO GREEN CARD IN HAND. You can not enter France. Period. France only issues visas to RTD holders with a Green card.

Transit Visa:
NO Transit Visa's required for holders of RTD. No matter if you have GC in hand or not. See link:
http://www.consulfrance-washington....cle=383&var_recherche=refugee+travel+document

You cannot enter the country though but only Transit in the airport. For instance, if you did not have a GC and were going to Germany through France, you would not need a visa and could go to the gate that boards your flight to Germany.

United Kingdom

Visitor Visa: Required for every RTD holders with or without a GC. You will also be fingerprinted upon entry.
Transit Visa: Not required if you have a Green card in Hand.

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=313

India

Visitor/Transit: RTD holders are required to submit for visa 4 months in advance. Best of luck.

Thailand:

Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa. Very easy.

Japan:

Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa also. Very simple and easy. Make sure you bow
once you pick up your passport.

Australia:

Visitor/Transit: Australians are the nicest people and they treat RTD like royality. THe Visa's
are issued in 1 week. No health insurance needed but sufficient proof of funds needed. Nice
experience I had with them mate.

New Zealand:

Visitor/Transit: Lil bro of Australia, If you have a valid Australian Visa, you can stay up to 30 days.


CAnada:

Visit/Transit: if you hold a Green card, you do not need a visa otherwise you need a Visa.

Mexico:

Visit/Transit: Visa needed no matter what. Very rude embassy.

Bahamas:

Visit/Transit: Visa needed.

Switzerland:

No Visa Needed if you have a Green card in Hand and valid National Passport.

Visa is needed if you have Refugee Travel Document and even a green card

They do not recognize the Rentry Permit.

http://www.eda.admin.ch/houston_cg/e/home/houston.html

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: I have a Refugee Travel Document and I am visiting Germany which doesn't require a visa. Can I land in Germany and travel all over Europe?

Answer: If you do that, be prepared to be turned back to Germany since you do not have a schegen visa. Many members including me have travelled to Europe once entering Germany but it may be pure luck or just the policies that European Police do not know. I would advise if you want to feel safe, apply for a visa. If you do not give rat's ***, then go to germany
and travel Europe get a visa...If you do-not-give-a-damn-what-the-cops-say then proudly show your RTD when asked for a visa and say "keine visa"
Thats NO visa in German.

Question: My RTD expires in 2 month, Can i travel to Germany, Ireland or Singapore without a Visa?

Answer: I have travelled germany with less than 2 months on my RTD and no problems but what if the snow-storm of the century hits Europe and you are burried..Then what huh?

Question: I am going to apply for a schegen Visa but where do I get the Insurance?

Answer: Google for insurance or your local American Express can give you insurance also for few bucks.

Question: I have a Rentry Permit. Do I need a visa, Can i go to germany without one?

Answer: NOt so fast mister. Rentry Permit technically means you are taking a leave of absence from U.S and Germany requires a visa. Even though both Rentry Permit and RTD look the same, inside the booklet, it is clearly written, Rentry permit rather than Refugee Travel Document.

Question: I just came back from Germany and I feel like going back again in a week. Can I?

Answer: Wow you must be loaded. Yes you can go every week for the rest of your life as long as you have a valid RTD with 2 months left for expiry(say that fast now). Germans only care that you have a valid RTD And they rarely look at when you entered or left the country.
Click to expand...







Hello people, I will copy and paste the conversation between me and the Norwegian Embassy in San Francisco/CA. I just think the Embassies should be aware about the Travel Document...they look at it like it's an alien from Mars!!!

ME: Good morning Norwegian Embassy SF-CA

I live in Santa Barbara-California however I was born in Brazil and I have political Asylum. I just got my Refugee Travel Document and I was wondering If I need the "Schengen Visa" since I am not allowed to use the Brazilian passport anymore.
Can I go to Norway using the Travel Document or I need the "Schengen Visa"?


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: You do need a visa. Please bring both your travel document and old passport to the interview. Guidelines are found here:

http://www.norway.org/Embassy/Visa-a...San-Francisco/

Regards,

SO, I GATHERED ALL MY PAPERS, BANK STATMENTS, PICTURES, COPIES OF THIS AND THAT BLAH,BLAH, BLAH...AND I DROVE FROM LOS ANGELES AAAAAALLLLLLLL THE WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO JUST TO GET MY VISA. I HAD MY INTERVIEW AND HE SAID THAT I WOULD GET MY RTD IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS...EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

...days later...

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

I just left you a voicemail. As I was printing your visa I realized you’re a Brazilian national, who then would not normally need a visa to enter Norway. Do you still have your Brazilian passport, or is the U.S. Travel Document your current form of id? You may fall in between the various regulations, so I just want to make sure before I send your passport back (so you don’t have any issues on the border)

Regards,


ME: I would prefer to have the Schengen Visa even if you are not sure that it is required. Often, the airline personnel at the airport ticket counters or the cruise ship personnel at the ports are not familiar with the visa requirements. They tend to err on the side of caution. If I don't have a visa, I might be delayed boarding or denied a boarding pass altogether. I will be on a very tight timeline during my trip with a short connection in Germany and then only five days in Norway. Upon arrival in Venice, I will have only a couple of hours to get on the ship. So, any delay could ruin all of our plans.

As an asylee in the United States, I am forbidden from using my Brazilian passport for travel. I must use only the Refugee Travel Document issued by the United States or I risk losing my asylee status and could be deported to Brazil.

As I have paid the fees and provided all the required documentation, please issue the Schengen Visa.

Thank you so much


NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: Dear xxxxxxx,

UDI has confirmed that as a Brazilian national with a US-issued travel document, you do not need a visa to enter Norway. I have also checked that Italy and Germany accept U.S. travel documents in the same fashion .

As such, I have cancelled the visa in your travel document, since we cannot issue visas to citizens of countries that do not require such permission to travel. I will include a letter with your passport that explains why we have not processed your visa, in case you are worried about airline personnel/ border authorities.

I have of course refunded the visa fee (which will go back on your card). I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this process has caused you.

Regards,



Dear XXXXXXX

The Norwegian Consulate General has returned your passport. Since you are a Brazilian national with a United States-issued Travel Document, you are allowed to visit the Schengen Area without first obtaining a visa up to 90 days. This includes visits to Norway, Germany and Italy.

Note that the visa in your passport has been cancelled without prejudice.

The consulate apologizes for the inconvenience this misinformation may have caused you.

Regards,

Magnus Aasbrenn
Consul



Ps: The Consul said I must have this official letter with me while I travel in the Schengen Area.
 
Thank you Cafe. I found out that I need a visa. Will I need to show hotel booking? The consulate website doesn't give a clear answer.
 
wantmygcnow said:
VISAS NOT REQUIRED: Transit or Short Term STay Visa(90 days)

Germany
Ireland
Singapore (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul/USA visa regulations.html)

ALL European Countries Require a Visa to enter their territories. See Exceptions below:

France:

Visitor Visa:
If you have a RTD and NO GREEN CARD IN HAND. You can not enter France. Period. France only issues visas to RTD holders with a Green card.

Transit Visa:
NO Transit Visa's required for holders of RTD. No matter if you have GC in hand or not. See link:
http://www.consulfrance-washington....cle=383&var_recherche=refugee+travel+document

You cannot enter the country though but only Transit in the airport. For instance, if you did not have a GC and were going to Germany through France, you would not need a visa and could go to the gate that boards your flight to Germany.

United Kingdom

Visitor Visa: Required for every RTD holders with or without a GC. You will also be fingerprinted upon entry.
Transit Visa: Not required if you have a Green card in Hand.

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=313

India

Visitor/Transit: RTD holders are required to submit for visa 4 months in advance. Best of luck.

Thailand:

Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa. Very easy.

Japan:

Visitor/Transit: It takes 1 week or less to get a visa also. Very simple and easy. Make sure you bow
once you pick up your passport.

Australia:

Visitor/Transit: Australians are the nicest people and they treat RTD like royality. THe Visa's
are issued in 1 week. No health insurance needed but sufficient proof of funds needed. Nice
experience I had with them mate.

New Zealand:

Visitor/Transit: Lil bro of Australia, If you have a valid Australian Visa, you can stay up to 30 days.


CAnada:

Visit/Transit: if you hold a Green card, you do not need a visa otherwise you need a Visa.

Mexico:

Visit/Transit: Visa needed no matter what. Very rude embassy.

Bahamas:

Visit/Transit: Visa needed.

Switzerland:

No Visa Needed if you have a Green card in Hand and valid National Passport.

Visa is needed if you have Refugee Travel Document and even a green card

They do not recognize the Rentry Permit.

http://www.eda.admin.ch/houston_cg/e/home/houston.html

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: I have a Refugee Travel Document and I am visiting Germany which doesn't require a visa. Can I land in Germany and travel all over Europe?

Answer: If you do that, be prepared to be turned back to Germany since you do not have a schegen visa. Many members including me have travelled to Europe once entering Germany but it may be pure luck or just the policies that European Police do not know. I would advise if you want to feel safe, apply for a visa. If you do not give rat's ***, then go to germany
and travel Europe get a visa...If you do-not-give-a-damn-what-the-cops-say then proudly show your RTD when asked for a visa and say "keine visa"
Thats NO visa in German.

Question: My RTD expires in 2 month, Can i travel to Germany, Ireland or Singapore without a Visa?

Answer: I have travelled germany with less than 2 months on my RTD and no problems but what if the snow-storm of the century hits Europe and you are burried..Then what huh?

Question: I am going to apply for a schegen Visa but where do I get the Insurance?

Answer: Google for insurance or your local American Express can give you insurance also for few bucks.

Question: I have a Rentry Permit. Do I need a visa, Can i go to germany without one?

Answer: NOt so fast mister. Rentry Permit technically means you are taking a leave of absence from U.S and Germany requires a visa. Even though both Rentry Permit and RTD look the same, inside the booklet, it is clearly written, Rentry permit rather than Refugee Travel Document.

Question: I just came back from Germany and I feel like going back again in a week. Can I?

Answer: Wow you must be loaded. Yes you can go every week for the rest of your life as long as you have a valid RTD with 2 months left for expiry(say that fast now). Germans only care that you have a valid RTD And they rarely look at when you entered or left the country.
Click to expand...



I went to the Bahamas using ONLY my RTD and no visa was needed!!!!!
 
Schengen visa

Hi. I am a newbie on this forum, and hope someone could give me some information, based on my situation:

I am a U.S. citizen; I am staying in Poland with a National Visa with the reason of studying Polish language. The school is done and my visa will expire on August 31.

I am applying for the Short-Term Residence Permit right now with a valid reason, but my application unfortunately missed the determination time allowed. So, while the application is pending, the biuro told me that I have to exit the territory of Poland before August 31, and re-enter with some credit card receipts to prove that I was outside of Poland (for at least one day) after my current visa expired.

So, my plan is going to Berlin for the weekend. Berlin is only 3 hours away from where I am in Poland. My question:

Do I need to apply for Schengen Visa? As I know, U.S. citizens are not required to have visa to travel within EU Schengen States for 90 days. In my case, I am (soon to be I-was) using Polish National Visa. By entering Berlin/Germany, does it automatically get me into a new/valid Schengen status to travel back to Poland?

If anyone could kindly help me sort out my confusion, I truly sincerely appreciate such help.

S.T.
 
As you're on a short-stay visa (D), you are allowed to go to OTHER Schengen countries for visits of up to 90 days. So, your trip to Berlin is legal. You'll also be unlikely to encounter any passport checks.
 
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