Table of contents
- Who can extend a Schengen visa or free term?
- Maximum time you can be in the Schengen area
- Visa extension above 90 days for Surinamese
- Conditions extend Schengen visa or free term
- Documents you need
- How to request an extension
- Cost extension
- Decision on your application for renewal
- Object to the decision
- Medical travel insurance if you are already in the Netherlands
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
If you have a valid short-stay visa or you are allowed to be in the Netherlands during the free period, you can extend your Schengen short-stay or free-term visa in some situations.
Who can extend a Schengen visa or free term?
If you're in the Schengen area are for a short stay for business or as a tourist, you have a Schengen visa issued by the Netherlands or another Schengen country and you want to extend your visa, strict conditions apply. That is also the case for visa-exempt foreigners.
You are allowed in the Netherlands with a Schengen visa or a free term, be a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. If you want to extend your free period or Schengen visa, you can contact the IND. The IND will only extend your visa or free period in very special and unexpected situations. For example, if it is impossible for you to leave the Netherlands due to serious illness, force majeure or very important personal reasons.
Maximum time you can be in the Schengen area
Your short-stay visa does not allow you to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180-day period. Your visa can therefore be extended to a maximum of 90 days. Did you already have a visa for 90 days? And do you have to stay longer? Then your Schengen visa after extension is only valid in the Netherlands. You will then no longer be able to travel to other Schengen countries.
Do you not need a visa because of your nationality? You can extend the free period by a maximum of 90 days, but you may not be in the Schengen area for more than 180 days in total.
Visa extension above 90 days for Surinamese
Do you have the Surinamese nationality and are you 60 years or older? Then you can extend the visa once per stay to more than 90 days. You don't need a special reason for this. The other conditions for renewal do apply. Your visa will be extended for a maximum of 90 days. And after renewal it is only valid for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux countries).
Conditions extend Schengen visa or free term
The following conditions apply to extending your Schengen visa or free term:
- You have to explain why you want to stay longer.
- You have enough money to pay for your stay in the Netherlands. This is at least €34 per day. Don't have enough money yourself? Someone can also guarantee you. That person is then responsible for paying your costs.
- You have a medical travel insurance. This must also apply to the extra period that you stay in the Schengen area. Do you receive medical treatment here? Then you show that the insurance pays the costs of the treatment. Or that you pay the costs in a different way.
- Your passport is still valid for at least 3 months on the new planned date of departure.
- There are no indications that you have other reasons to extend your visa or free period. For example, indications that you want to live in the Netherlands illegally.
- You do not work in a way that is not allowed under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act.
- You are not a threat to public order or national security.
Documents you need
You show with documents that you meet the conditions for renewal. You need these documents to apply for a Schengen visa extension or free term:
- A valid passport.
- Documents with which you show which special and unexpected situation there is. For example, flight details, a statement from a medical specialist or general practitioner, death notice, invitation from a company.
- Documents with which you show that you have sufficient money for your stay in the Netherlands and for your return journey.
- Medical travel insurance for the extra period you stay here.
How to request an extension
You can apply for an extension of your short-stay Schengen visa or your free period at the IND desk. Make an appointment first.
Cost extension
Extension of the free term is free. The costs (fees) for an extension of a short stay visa are € 30. You pay the costs during the appointment at the IND desk. Is your visa extended due to force majeure or humanitarian reasons? Then you don't have to pay.
Decision on your application for renewal
On the day of the appointment, bring the requested documents with you. The IND will immediately assess your request at the appointment. The decision is positive or negative.
- The decision is positive: You meet the conditions for the extension of a short-stay or free-term visa. You will receive a sticker in your passport as proof of the extension.
- The decision is negative: You do not meet the conditions for the extension of a short-stay visa or the free period. The IND employee will tell you why your short stay visa or free term will not be extended.
Object to the decision
Is your visa not extended? And don't you agree? Then ask the IND employee to put the rejection in a letter. You will receive that letter with the negative decision within 2 weeks. You can object to this decision. Read more about objecting or appealing against a decision of the IND.
Medical travel insurance if you are already in the Netherlands
Taking out medical travel insurance when you are already in the Netherlands is sometimes quite difficult. With almost all insurers, the insurance must already have been taken out before departure, once you are in the Netherlands this is no longer possible. Fortunately, you can here on this website You can still take out medical travel insurance for your foreign guest.
Laws and rules
Posting date: 9-03-2021 – Source: IND.nl
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