
Can I apply for a Schengen visa extension?
In all cases, you can apply for a visa extension, if you have a strong reason why you wish to remain. Below in this article, you can find the ultimate guideline on how to extend a Schengen visa, the reasons under which the extension may be granted, as well as what the required documents are and how to apply for to extend a short-stay Schengen visa.
How long can you stay in the Schengen Area with a visa?
If you are granted with a visa you will be able to remain, while if you do not you will have one or two days to leave. A Schengen visa extension fee is different from a normal Schengen visa fee, which you apply for prior to your trip towards the Schengen Area.
Can I renew my Schengen visa due to late entry?
If the situation does not change, you will have to apply once again for a short-stay visa renewal, in order to remain in Schengen. This can be used for a single-entry short-stay visa. You can base your extension due to late entry if you have entered Schengen after the visa becomes valid.
How many times can you apply for a Schengen visa?
Multiple entry – which means you will be granted with a visa that permits you to enter any of the Schengen member states as many times as you wish, for as long that you do not surpass the 3 months limit within a six months period. In all cases, you can apply for a visa extension, if you have a strong reason why you wish to remain.

Can I get an extension on my Schengen visa?
To be allowed to extend your visa, you must meet the following conditions: Your stay in the Schengen Area must not exceed 90 days in total. If you stay longer than 90 days, your visa will be limited to the Netherlands. You must explain why you need to extend your stay.
How can I stay in Schengen Area longer than 90 days?
You will need to apply for a study permit only in case you intend to undertake studies exceeding 90 days of stay in the Schengen area within a period of 180 days. For longer studies you have to apply for a study permit and the rules vary from country to country.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa?
You must have a clean visa history. You must have never overstayed your Schengen Visa or worked unlawfully in the Schengen Area. You must have a clean criminal record in your home country. You must have purchased adequate Travel Insurance for the first year of your multiple-entry visa that you have applied for.
Can I get a visa to stay in Europe longer than 90 days?
Yes, it's possible! According to the recent Schengen visa code, you can get a 1-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used three (3) Schengen tourist visas in the past. You can get a 2-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 1-year multiple-entry visa in the past 2 years.
Which Schengen visa is longest?
Short stay (type C) Schengen visas are valid for 90 days, but long stay (type D) visas range from 6 months to 5 years.
Can I renew my Schengen visa before it expires?
The Schengen visa policy has made it possible to extend a short-stay Schengen visa in order to prevent or overcome hardship for third-country nationals.
Can I get Schengen visa for 10 years?
No. A Schengen MEV only allows a maximum stay of 90 days within every 180-day period, whereas a residence permit allows you to reside/live in a Schengen Country for more than 90 days (also known as a long-stay visa, or national visa).
How do I get a 6 month Schengen visa?
When applying for a Tourist Schengen Visa, you must submit the following documents:Visa application form. ... Two recent photos. ... Valid passport. ... Roundtrip reservation or itinerary. ... Travel Health Insurance. ... Proof of accommodation. ... Letter of tour organizer. ... Proof of financial means.More items...
What are the 4 types of Schengen visas?
What type of Schengen visa do I need?Type A Schengen visa or Airport Transit Visa. ... Type B Schengen visa. ... Type C Schengen visa. ... Type D Schengen visa or national long-stay visa.
How can I stay in Europe longer than 3 months?
Ways To Stay In Europe For More Than 90 DaysSplit Up Schengen and Non-Schengen Countries.Working Holiday Visa.Become a Student at a European University.Long Term Tourist Visa.Language Assistant Program.Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Jobs.Self Employment or Freelance Visa.European Passport.More items...•
What happens if I overstay my Schengen visa?
You could receive a fine, immediate deportation or even get banned from entering the Schengen Area for a period. It is also important to remember that the 90/180 day rule also applies to countries with a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen Area.
How do you count 180 days in Schengen?
The 180 days are counted backward from the date you arrive and depart from the Schengen Area. Meaning, each time you enter or leave a Schengen Country, a new 180 day period will be calculated.
How can I stay in Spain for 6 months?
If you are a non-EEA national (including British) and wish to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days, you will need a visa. You should apply for the visa that suits your purpose from a Spanish Consulate in your home country....Your dependents may be:Spouse or legal partner.Children.Parents.
Can I stay in France for 6 months?
Applying for a temporary long-stay Schengen visa (VLS-T) Reminder: The temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) is valid for 4–6 months. It applies to foreign nationals who wish to stay in France to attend a short educational programme, work as an artist or stay in France without working.
How do you count 180 days in Schengen?
The 180 days are counted backward from the date you arrive and depart from the Schengen Area. Meaning, each time you enter or leave a Schengen Country, a new 180 day period will be calculated.
How do I get a one year multiple entry Schengen visa?
1 year multiple-entry Schengen visaYou can obtain this visa provided that you have obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years. ... The 1-year MEV visa gives you the right to enter in the Schengen Zone as many times as you want, as long as you do not remain more than 90 days within this period.More items...
Why is a Schengen visa extended?
The Schengen visa policy has made it possible to extend a short-stay Schengen visa in order to prevent or overcome hardship for third-country nationals. You will be granted with a short-stay visa extension based on humanitarian reasons if you need to stay in one of the member states to continue receiving medical treatment, to take part in the funeral after the sudden death of a family member, to give support to a person close to you who is going through some kind of hardship, etc.
What happens if you get rejected for a Schengen visa?
Do not forget, that just as when applying for a regular Schengen visa, if your application is rejected, you will not get your money back.
How long does it take to get a visa extension?
Usually, your visa extension application can take a few days, up to a month to be processed by the relevant authorities. During this time, you are permitted to remain in the country where you submitted your application even after your visa expires, but not to travel to the other Schengen countries.
What insurance covers the whole Schengen area?
Travel Health Insurance – that covers the whole Schengen Area as well as the whole period which you have applied to extend your visa for
How long can you stay in a Schengen country?
Multiple entry – which means you will be granted with a visa that permits you to enter any of the Schengen member states as many times as you wish, for as long that you do not surpass the 3 months limit within a six months period.
How long can you stay in Europe?
According to the Schengen rules, one can obtain a short-stay visa for Europe for a maximum of three months within a six-month period.
How many photos are needed for a visa?
One photo, which fulfills all the criteria and visa photo requirements.
How can I extend my Schengen Visa duration?
A visa can be extended if you have stayed fewer than 90 days in the Schengen Area over the last 180 days and if your visa is still valid. The conditions to obtain the extension of a Schengen Visa are very strict and the reasons for your request must be serious and justified by unforeseen circumstances.
What details do I need to know about extending my Schengen Visa?
Before deciding to apply to extend your Schengen Visa, know the validity of your existing visa and its type. A short-stay Schengen Visa can be either single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. In the case of the single-entry, you have a limited number of days you are allowed to spend in the Schengen Area before you must leave - after which you will not be able to return without applying for a new visa. Double-entry allows you to leave and then return on one occasion, while a multiple-entry visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days at a time during a rolling 180-day period. You can obtain an extension for all these types of Schengen Visas.
How long will it take to get a Schengen Visa extension?
Usually, your Schengen Visa extension application should take a few days to process, but it may take up to a month. During this time, you are allowed to remain in the country even after your visa expires, but not to travel to the other Schengen countries. If your Schengen Visa extension application is refused, you will need to leave within one or two days.
When do you have to apply for an extension for a Schengen visa?
It is absolutely necessary to apply for the extension of your visa before the end of its validity period and/or the duration of your stay mentioned on your Schengen visa.
When do you have to leave the Schengen area?
If the answer is negative you must leave the Schengen area before the expiration date of your visa or in the two days after you receive your answer.
Can you travel to Schengen with a single entry visa?
A short-stay Schengen Visa can be either single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. In the case of the single-entry, you have a limited number of days you are allowed to spend in the Schengen Area before you must leave - after which you will not be able to return without applying for a new visa. Double-entry allows you to leave and then return ...
Can I extend a Schengen Visa?
Generally speaking, you cannot extend a Schengen Visa during your trip, apart from in exceptional circumstances. If you want to extend your trip you will have to exit the Schengen Area and apply for a new visa to return and continue your visit.
How long can you stay in Schengen?
As per the Schengen rules, you can obtain a short-term visa for Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days period. However, travelers don’t find 90 days enough to visit all 26 Schengen countries. Extending your short-term Schengen visa is hard, but it’s quite possible if you have a strong reason for visa extension.
How many countries are there in the Schengen area?
Schengen area consists of 26 countries which have agreed to abolish internal border controls and passports. All of 26 countries act as one, and every citizen can go anywhere they want. The 26 countries are named as:
Can you stay longer than 90 days in Schengen?
You will be allowed to stay longer than your 90-days limit based on humanitarian reasons. The reasons can be: staying on one of the Schengen member states to continue receiving medical treatment, or taking part in the funeral of your family member due to sudden death, or supporting a close person of yours who is going through a hardship, etc.
Why is my Schengen visa extended?
Humanitarian Reasons. You may be granted Schengen visa extension for humanitarian reasons to prevent or overcome hardship for foreign nationals.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa extension?
You must apply to extend Schengen visa in the country you are physically located in, at the time of application. It may take from a few days up to a month for the authorities to process your Schengen visa extension application.
How long can you stay in the Schengen area?
However, if it is rejected, you must leave the Schengen area in a day or two.
Do you need to submit documents for a Schengen extension?
For an extension, you don’t need to submit as many documents as you had submitted at the time of initial Schengen visa application.
Do you have to enter the Schengen area?
You must enter the Schengen area within the visa validity period and stay within that validity period. (That is quite different from how US visa works, where visa stamp validity and authorized duration are two completely different things.)
Why is a Schengen visa extended?
The Schengen visa policy has made it possible to extend a short-stay Schengen visa in order to prevent or overcome hardship for third-country nationals. You will be granted with a short-stay visa extension based on humanitarian reasons if you need to stay in one of the member states to continue receiving medical treatment, to take part in the funeral after the sudden death of a family member, to give support to a person close to you who is going through some kind of hardship, etc.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa extension?
Usually, your Schengen visa extension may take a few days to a month for processing. During this time, you are allowed to remain in the country where you submitted your application even after your visa expires, but not to travel to the other Schengen countries.
What is the second step in a Schengen visa application?
The second step is gathering required documents. This process requires to submit fewer documents than the process to apply for a new Schengen visa. The list of documents you need when applying for a Schengen visa extension are as following:
What is the third step in a Schengen visa?
The third step is paying visa fee if is required. Depending on the reason you apply for Schengen visa extension, you may be asked to pay fee or not.
Schengen Visa Extension details
Start getting ready for your application, which differs from a regular Schengen visa application, if you wish to extend your visa and stay longer in the Schengen Zone. The very first thing you have to do is decide under which reason you wish to apply for a Schengen visa Extension.
When to apply -
It is very important to apply on time, which is before the expiration of your visa. If you apply after your visa expires, even just a day later, then the authorities will deport you for overstaying your visa, despite of your reasons.
Where to apply -
You are strongly advised to apply at the immigration authorities (or their equal) in the country where you need to remain, and not another. It depends on the Member State you are currently residing.
Why extend a Schengen visa?
According to the Schengen visa policy, acceptable reasons to extend a Schengen short-stay visa are only: force majeure, late entry, humanitarian reasons, and important personal reasons.
How many days are visa free in Schengen?
These days are the 90 days visa free Schengen that you are permitted to enter within the last 180 days. It is counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (you will get an entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (the exit stamp).
What are the consequences of overstaying in the Schengen Area?
First thing first, you need to know that your entry and exit to each Schengen Member State is recorded and shared among the Schengen countries.
What is the validity of a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa validity is the date from which the visa holder is permitted to enter the Schengen Area and the duration of stay is the number of days that you can spend within that period. This information can also be found on the visa sticker on your passport.
What are the penalties for overstaying in Schengen?
You can face penalties like a fine, deportation, being banned from entering the Schengen area in the future, and difficulties having your future applications accepted. These will vary depending on the severity, as well as which country you are overstaying in. Some countries are much stricter than others.
What happens if you overstay your visa?
Additionally, If you are caught overstaying your welcome for a month or so then you will also be banned from entering the Schengen Area for a specific period of time.
What happens if you get rejected for a Schengen visa?
Just as when applying for a regular Schengen visa, if your request for an extension is rejected, you will not get your money back.
How I Extended My Schengen Visa
After receiving a negative COVID-19 test result, I immediately researched how to extend a single entry visa to Portugal, as this was my only option. All my research had one thing in common. You need to have a strong reason for wanting to extend your Schengen Visa. These reasons included:
Where I Applied For My Schengen Visa Extension
The first thing I had to do was travel to Portugal and apply for my Schengen Visa extension from there. So, I traveled to Portugal on the 20th of April and went to the Borders and Aliens Service (SEF) to start my application process.
The Required Documents For My Schengen Visa Extension
After I scheduled my appointment, I was informed that I had to bring along the following documents:
On The Day Of My Appointment
On the day of my appointment, I traveled back to SEF to attend my in-person interview. This was a crucial stage of the application process, as the interviewer asked me plenty of questions about why I was applying for a visa extension. Luckily, I had all the required documents that supported the reason for my visa extension.
Paying The Schengen Extension Visa Fees
After completing my interview at SEF, I had to pay the standard Schengen Visa extension fee. Depending on the reason why you need to extend your visa, the cost can vary. In my case, for late entry, I had to pay around €30.
My Visa Extension Application Was Succesful
I only received my visa extension the day after my appointment. Nonetheless, I wasn't really worried. The interviewer kindly informed me that even if my visa application was denied, I could stay at least 1 - 2 days in the country before I had to leave.
Processing Time For The Schengen Visa Extension
I'll add that the processing time for a visa extension takes a couple of days (4 in my case). However, I have heard about times where people had to wait around 2 weeks for their visas. Apparently, if this should happen, you're allowed to stay in the country where you applied for the visa extension while you wait for it to be processed.

Extension Reasons
Extension Process
- Overall process to extend Schengen visa: 1. Determine whether you have a justified reason toapply for extension. 2. Gather necessary documents. 3. Pay visa fee, if required. 4. Attend interview, if required. 5. Wait for the decision. Many of these steps are described below.
Application Timing
- Youmust apply to extend Schengen visa before it expires. You mustapply to extend Schengen visa in the country you are physically located in, atthe time of application. Itmay take from a few days up to a month for the authorities to process yourSchengen visa extension application. While your application is under process,you are legally permitted to stay in the country where you applied fo…
Schengen Visa Extension Documents
- For an extension, you don’t need to submit as many documents as you had submitted at the time of initial Schengen visa application. At the minimum, you need to submit the following documents: 1. Passport 1. Application form for extension 1. One photo 1. Proof of finances. You must be able to show thatyou have enough money to financially maintain yourself during the extensionduratio…
Interview
- Dependingupon the country you are currently in and applying an extension for, you may ormay not need to attend an interview in person. If you are required to, schedule an appointment online with theimmigration authority in that Schengen country. Make sure you that you reach their office on time and you are carrying the necessary documents. It is important that you should clearly be ab…
Schengen Visa Extension Fee
- When applying for the first extension, you don’t have to pay any extension fee for humanitarian reasons or force majeure reasons. However, you must pay €30 for an extension due to late entry or important personal reasons. If you need to apply for an extension a second time, you willhave to pay the extension fee, irrespective of your reason. The fee is €30 forminors and €60 for adults.