Extension of a Schengen visa or visa-exempt period
You have a valid tourist or business Schengen visa. Or you are allowed to be in the Netherlands in the visa-exempt period. This page tells you whether you can extend a short-stay visa or visa-exempt period.
Contents
- Who can apply for extension of a Schengen visa or visa-exempt period?
- Maximum time you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area
- Conditions for extension of Schengen visa or visa-exempt period
- Documents you need
- How to apply for extension of a short-stay visa or visa-exempt period
- Cost of extension
- Decision on your application
- Apply for review of the decision
Who can apply for extension of a Schengen visa or visa-exempt period?
You are in the Schengen Area for a short stay on business or as a tourist. Read which countries are in the Schengen Area. You have a Schengen visa issued by the Netherlands or another Schengen country. Or, the visa-exempt period allows you to be here for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. You want to extend your visa-exempt period or visa. The Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will only extend your visa or free period in very unusual and unexpected situations. For instance, if you are unable to leave the Netherlands due to a serious illness, circumstances beyond your control or serious personal reasons.
Maximum time you are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area
On your short-stay visa, you cannot stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days within a period of 180 days. This means your visa can be extended for up to 90 days. Have you already had a visa for 90 days, but want to stay longer? If so, after extension, your visa will only be valid in the Netherlands. You will no longer be permitted to travel to other Schengen countries.
If you do not need a visa because of your nationality, you can extend your visa-exempt period by up to 90 days. But you cannot be in the Schengen Area for more than 180 days in total.
Visa extension beyond 90 days for Surinamese nationals
Are you a national of Suriname and are 60 years of age or older? Once per visit you can extend your visa beyond 90 days. You do not need any special reason for this. The other conditions for extension of your visa still apply. Your visa will be extended for up to 90 days. After extension, it will only be valid for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (the 'Benelux' countries).
Conditions for extension of Schengen visa or visa-exempt period
The following conditions apply to extension of a short-stay visa or a visa-exempt period:
- You must explain why you want to stay longer.
- You have enough money to pay for your stay in the Netherlands. This is at least €55 per day. If you do not have enough money yourself, someone else can sponsor you. This person will be responsible for covering your expenses.
- You have travel health insurance. This must also be valid for the duration of your additional stay in the Schengen Area. If you are receiving medical treatment here, you must demonstrate that the insurance policy covers the treatment costs. Or that you will cover the costs in another way.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the newly planned departure date.
- There are no indications that you have other reasons to extend your visa or free period. For instance, indications that you want to live illegally in the Netherlands.
- You are not working in a way that is not permitted under the Foreign National Labour Act (WAV).
- You pose a threat to public order or national security.
Documents you need
You must provide documents showing that you meet the extension conditions. To apply for extension of a Schengen tourist or business visa or visa-exempt period you need the following documents:
- Your valid passport
- Documents showing your unusual and unexpected situation, such as flight details, a certificate from medical specialist or general practitioner, an obituary or an invitation from a company
- Documents showing that you have enough money for your stay in the Netherlands and for your return trip
- Travel health insurance for the duration of your additional stay
How to apply for extension
To apply for an extension of a visa for short-stay or visa-exempt period at an IND service desk, make an appointment first.
Please note: It is currently not possible to make an appointment at an IND desk to extend your visa or visa-exempt period. This is because of the coronavirus measures. Read more on staying in the Netherlands after your visa or visa-exempt period expires in our FAQ.
Cost of extension of a Schengen visa or visa-exempt period
Extension of the visa-exempt term is free of charge. The cost of extension of a short-stay visa are [Visa extension $uitzonderingsbedrag2]. You pay during the appointment at the IND Desk. You do not have to pay if your visa is:
- extended due to circumstances beyond one's control, or
- extended for humanitarian reasons.
Decision on your application
Bring the requested documents to your appointment. The IND will assess your application during the meeting. The decision will be either positive or negative.
- The decision is positive: you meet the conditions for extension of a short-stay visa or free period. You will receive a sticker in your passport as proof of the extension.
- The decision is negative: you do not meet the conditions for extension of a short-stay visa or free period. The IND employee will tell you why your short-stay visa or free period will not be extended.
Apply for review of the decision
If your visa was not extended and you disagree with the decision, please ask the IND employee to prepare a letter explaining the rejection. You will receive this letter explaining the negative decision within 2 weeks. With this decision letter you can apply for review. Find out more about applying for review or appealing a decision from the IND.
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