Can I Extend My Schengen Visa? A Comprehensive Guide For You!

Getting a Schengen visa can feel like an achievement in itself, given the stringent EU regulations. Well, if you have been successful in getting a Schengen visa, you must have met detailed requirements such as getting travel insurance.

However, due to some reasons, you may have to extend your visa. But is it possible to extend a Schengen visa and stay a bit longer in your desired country?

If so, what are the conditions and requirements for getting the Schengen visa extension? Know the answer to this question in the comprehensive guide below.

Is Schengen Visa Extension Allowed?

Yes, as per the guidelines of the European Parliament and Council Regulations, short-stay Schengen visas can be extended due to unavoidable and uncontrollable circumstances.

Here are some of the circumstances that allow for a Schengen visa extension.

Humanitarian Reasons

Schengen visa extensions can be done on humanitarian grounds to save third-country nationals from facing severe hardships. One can extend the visa for medical emergencies, family crisis and emergencies, etc.

Entry After the Visa Start Date

A visa extension can also be requested if you have entered the Schengen country after the start date of the visa. It is one of the most favourable reasons to get visa extensions across the Schengen area.

Professional Obligations

If your visa validity has expired, but you still have professional commitments to fulfill, you can request the authorities to allow a visa extension so you can complete your work-related obligations before returning to your home country. However, in this case, a proof of your professional commitment will be necessary.

Some instances of professional commitments include:

• Business meetings and conferences
• Investment and business start-ups
• Employment or work assignments
• Training programs
• Internship
• Cultural or artistic performance, etc.

Force Majeure

At times, you may deal with unforeseen and exceptional circumstances beyond your control, which may not leave a way out for you to exit the Schengen country. Some instances of force majeure include:

• Civil unrest
• War or terrorist activities
• Terrorist attacks
• Epidemics and pandemics
• Medical emergencies
• Personal emergencies, such as death in the family.

Personal Commitments

You may also extend your Schengen visa for some crucial personal reasons. For example, if there is a family medical emergency, childbirth, wedding, death, injury, etc., you may approach the authorities to grant you a visa extension. The severity and validity of these reasons play a major role in deciding whether or not you will get the extension.

Procedure for Schengen Visa Extension

Once you are certain that you have a strong and acceptable reason for extending your Schengen visa, you can follow these steps to apply to the competent authorities of the relevant Schengen country.

• Step 1: Determine your visa extension eligibility. Refer to the circumstances mentioned above to check if you are eligible for a visa extension. If yes, you can move to the next step.
• Step 2: Have all the necessary documents in place, including travel insurance, medical certificate, professional commitment proof, or any other document as required.
• Step 3: Download the visa application form and fill it out with the correct information. You can download the application form online from the official website of the relevant European country..
• Step 4:Submit your application to the local immigration office or the relevant authority in Schengen country along with all the documents, proof, travel insurance, application fee, etc.

Note: Remember to apply ahead of the visa expiry date to prevent any issues. A visa extension may not be granted if the visa has already expired.

• Step 5: After submission, wait for a decision or answer from the authorities. It may take a few days to several weeks, depending on several factors.

TATA AIG Travel Insurance Policy: Safety Net for Global Journeys

While extending the Schengen visa, it is crucial to have Schengen travel insurance that covers the trip extension, as insurance is one of the most crucial Schengen visa requirements. With TATA AIG travel insurance for a Schengen visa, you can fulfill your obligation while receiving extensive safety during your trip.

The cost of living in most European countries is extremely high, which can drain your savings during emergencies. Hence, it is wise to safeguard your health and wealth with good travel insurance. TATA AIG is a reputed insurer that offers visa-compliant Schengen travel insurance at nominal prices with a host of features, including low entry age, online discounts on premiums, high sum insured per traveller, COVID-19 cover, instant policy issuance and much more.

You can choose from different plan variants and avail yourself of benefits, such as add-on options, cashless treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation, accident and sickness cover, hassle-free claim process, and so on.

To buy the best TATA AIG travel insurance, you only have to visit their official website and find the most suitable plan for yourself.