I’m a US citizen who’s been living in Spain for just over a year now.  I’ve gone back and forth between the states and Spain several times without any problems.  I’ve recently been accepted to graduate school in Spain, and must therefore return to the states to get my student visa.  I’m worried about my visa being rejected due to all my entrance/exit stamps.  I was thinking of just declaring my passport lost when I get home, then using the new passport to get the visa.  Does anyone know if this is a good idea? 

I’ve been searching the forums for an answer, but haven’t seen one yet.  I’ll keep searching.  Please help me out if you can.

Um, that would probably work, but it’s illegal. 😊

Can you give me a little more detail than that?  I mean are we talking more illegal than the comings and goings I’ve been doing?  Or just the typical Spanish only illegal if someone actually decides to care?

Well look, how’s anyone going to find out? Obviously it’s illegal, not just that you’ve overstayed your visa, but that you’re declaring your passport lost when it isn’t (US side).

I’m not saying it’s something I wouldn’t do, but just be prepared for that 0.01% chance that something goes awry.