Schengen Visa Extension Procedures and Terms
Schengen Visa Extension Procedures and Terms
If you are planning a trip to Schengen countries, you should have heard about the Schengen visa. It is a visa issued to non-EU citizens who want to travel to the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or other relevant purposes. The Schengen Area is comprised of 26 European countries that have abolished border controls on their mutual borders. These countries have agreed to work together to manage external borders securely. Schengen visa holders are entitled to enter any of these countries for the duration of their visa period.
If you want to extend your Schengen visa, you should know that the procedure and terms vary depending on the country you are in. In this article, we will discuss the Schengen visa extension procedures and terms.
Schengen Visa Extension Procedures
The Schengen visa extension procedure can be quite complicated, and there is no guarantee that your request will be approved. Here are the basic steps you need to follow if you want to extend your Schengen visa:
Step 1: Check your visa eligibility
You can only extend your Schengen visa if you have a valid reason to do so. Valid reasons include unforeseen circumstances such as a medical emergency, personal or family reasons, or force majeure events that have forced you to stay long in the Schengen Area. You cannot extend your visa for tourism purposes.
Step 2: Apply for an extension
You should apply for an extension of your Schengen visa at the consulate or embassy of the country where you originally applied for it. You should apply for an extension before your current visa expires. Some countries require a fee to process your visa extension application.
Step 3: Show proof of your reason for extending your stay
When you apply for a Schengen visa extension, you should provide all relevant documents that support your case such as medical reports, marriage certificates, death certificates, among others. You should also show proof that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself during your extended stay.
Step 4: Await a decision
After submitting your application, you must await a decision. Unfortunately, the processing time for a Schengen visa extension varies between countries. In most cases, it takes between 2 to 3 weeks for a decision to be made. However, some countries require up to six or seven weeks to process visa extensions.
Step 5: Collect your visa
If your application is approved, you will be notified, and you should go to the consulate or embassy to collect your visa.
Schengen Visa Extension Terms
The terms and conditions of Schengen visa extensions are as follows:
1. A Schengen visa extension is only granted if the visa holder has valid reasons for extending their stay.
2. The total period of stay in the Schengen Area should not exceed a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
3. Schengen visa holders can extend their visa for a maximum of 90 days.
4. Schengen visa holders must apply for an extension before their current visa expires.
5. The extension of a Schengen visa does not entitle the holder to work or study in the Schengen Area.
FAQs
1. Can a Schengen visa extension be granted for tourism purposes?
No. Schengen visa extensions are only granted for valid reasons such as medical emergencies, family, or personal reasons.
2. Can a Schengen visa extension be granted if my initial visa has expired?
No. You must apply for an extension before your current visa expires.
3. Can I work or study in the Schengen area with a visa extension?
No. The extension of a Schengen visa does not entitle the holder to work or study in the Schengen Area.
4. How long does it take to process a Schengen visa extension?
The processing time for a Schengen visa extension varies between countries, but it typically takes between 2 to 3 weeks for a decision to be made. However, some countries require up to six or seven weeks to process visa extensions.
Conclusion
If you want to extend your Schengen visa, you should carefully follow the procedures and understand the terms and conditions. You must have a valid reason to extend your visa, and you should apply for an extension before your current visa expires. Keep in mind that a visa extension does not entitle you to work or study in the Schengen Area.