During your stay in the Schengen area, you might wish to extend your Schengen Visa. While you are in the country, you can apply for the extension of the visa. But it must be a valid visa.
To apply for the extension of Schengen visa, applicants have to submit the application form, additional documents and book flight reservation for visa. Henceforth, extension of visa remains one of the primary concerns of those traveling to Europe.
Applicants have to follow the same procedure as they did while applying for the visa. However, let’s return to the query of how applicants can extend the visa, submit applications and what documents they need while submitting applications.
In this blog, you will find a definitive guide on extending a Schengen visa, including the reasons an extension may be granted, the mandatory documents, and the application process for extending a Schengen visa for a brief stay.
Schengen Visa Extension Guide
Although the answer to this simple question is yes. But we do not endorse this action.
Suppose you do not extend your Schengen visa and you are still staying in the Schengen area. In this case, you will not be permitted to stay in Europe after the visa expires. Regardless of whether you are a tourist who wants to explore more of Europe or stay for any purpose.
In accordance with Schengen regulations, if you want to obtain a short-stay visa for Europe for a maximum of three months within six months. However, more than 90 days are mandatory for foreigners, particularly those who wish to visit all 27 Schengen Member States.
To Apply For A Schengen Visa Extension, You Need To Follow These Steps:
Contact Local Immigration Authorities: Reach out to the immigration authorities in the Schengen country where you are currently residing before your visa expires. They will provide you with the necessary information and guidelines on how to proceed.
Provide Reasons For Extension: Clearly explain the reasons why you need an extension and provide supporting documentation to justify your request. This may include medical certificates, legal documents, or any other relevant evidence.
Submit an Application: Complete the visa extension application form provided by the immigration authorities and submit it along with the required documents. Ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and follow the instructions carefully.
The process, requirements, and chances of approval may vary from country to country. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with the local immigration authorities or seek legal advice to understand the specific procedures and possibilities for extending your Schengen visa.
Schengen Extension Visa: Validity And Documents Requirement
Although many believe extending a Schengen visa for a brief stay is impossible, it is possible. The process might seem complex to someone who is unaware of the procedure, but you can obtain a visa extension if you have a compelling reason to support your application. The most common type of visa issued to travelers can reach a maximum of 90 days in every six-month period starting from the date of entry.
Before applying to extend your Schengen visa, you must know the visa’s expiration date. Also, all the documents necessary for visa extension must be with you such as dummy tickets for visa, travel insurance and passport. Therefore, while travelling we advise our applicants to carry the mandatory documents or keep multiple copies.
Three classifications of Schengen visa
- Single Entry: Single entry means you have a limited number of days to stay in Schengen, and once you depart, you cannot return.
- Double Entry: The double-entry visa applies to the same policy as the single-entry visa; You are, however, able to enter the Schengen Area twice. This means you can enter, leave, and re-enter the Schengen Area as often as your visa allows. After a second departure from the nation, the visa expires.
- Multiple Entry: You will be granted a visa that allows you to enter any Schengen member state as often as you like, so long as you do not exceed the three-month limit within six months. But you might have very little chance of obtaining an extension if your application lacks a compelling reason.
Therefore, extending a Schengen visa is generally not possible. The Schengen visa is typically issued for a specific duration, and once it expires, you are expected to leave the Schengen Area. However, there are a few exceptional circumstances where a Schengen visa extension might be considered:
Late Arrival
Only if you have a single-entry, short-stay visa can you use this justification to apply for a visa extension. Nevertheless, this is your greatest opportunity to extend your visa. If you have entered Schengen after your visa becomes valid, you may petition for this visa extension. For instance, if your visa became valid on April 1, but you entered Schengen on April 20, you can file for a two-week visa extension and have a strong chance of approval.
For Humanitarian Reasons
The Schengen visa policy has made it possible to extend a Schengen visa for brief stays to prevent. Moreover alleviate hardships for residents applying from third countries. You will be granted an extension of your short-stay visa. It is based on humanitarian grounds if you need to remain in one of the member states to continue receiving medical treatment and attend the funeral of a family member who died unexpectedly etc.
Personal Or Emergency Issues
You may petition for an extension. If you have unfinished business in one of the Schengen Member States, an unplanned wedding (of yours or a relative’s), etc.
Justified Reasons
If you have strong and justified reasons, such as humanitarian grounds or serious personal reasons that require you to stay longer in the Schengen Area. You can submit an application for an extension. Examples of justified reasons may include sudden illness, accidents, or unexpected events that prevent you from leaving.
Sudden Change Of Purpose
In some cases, if your original purpose for traveling to the Schengen Area changes during your stay and you need more time to fulfill the new purpose, you may be able to request an extension.
