I have a cousin in France. She has a Three-month schenghen visa. On the visa, she has a 30 days duration of stay.

Now, she needs to stay longer than 30 days importantly.

What can be done to extend this duration of stay? The three month visa is fine, just the duration of stay!

Urgent legal advice pleeeaaassseee!

Someone help!


Edited: update on page 2 at 7:00am February 14.

Abeg make una talk na

worry359:
Have you bothered to try searching on Google for an answer?
Try typing "extending Shengan visa in France"

Yes, I learnt it possible to extend in belgium after some processes. That is currently ongoing but there's no guarantee yet. We need more possible options.

Help pls

Still waiting for urgent help or assistance from anyone...

Helllpppppp!

Cc justwise

Looks like it's NOT possible to extend visa in France, and the penalties for overstaying are a big fine and possible ban.
After the terror attacs France WILL be very strict on visitors.

Can I extend my stay directly in France or in the Schengen Area at the end of my visa?

No, immigration rules are extremely strict on that point: you must return to your country of residence at the end of your stay or validity of your visa. You might face deportation if you do not comply with this obligation.

swtchicgurl:
I have a cousin in France. She has a Three-month schenghen visa. On the visa, she has a 30 days duration of stay.

Now, she needs to stay longer than 30 days importantly.

What can be done to extend this duration of stay? The three month visa is fine, just the duration of stay!

Urgent legal advice pleeeaaassseee!

Someone help!

1.What is the reason for wanting to stay longer than 3months?

2. What does she do in Nigeria?

Thank you for your responses!

First, she's a worker who just travelled for a seminar. The seminar was postponed for a few weeks. The visa period of three months still covers the new training dates, but the "duration of stay" indicated on the visa is 30 days which will be exhausted before the end of the seminar. To complete the seminar, she will need more than 30days. Visa validity (3 months) extension is NOT necessary, just the Duration Of Stay (30 days) is d major concern.

The essence of duration extension is to complete the purpose of the trip. Which is critical. She is working class too.

Pls note that her company has been informed to see how they can help but no response yet and time is running out seriously.

Any possible help will be seriously appreciated.

Cc justwise worry359

swtchicgurl:
Thank you for your responses!

First, she's a worker who just travelled for a seminar. The seminar was postponed for a few weeks. The visa period of three months still covers the new training dates, but the "duration of stay" indicated on the visa is 30 days which will be exhausted before the end of the seminar. To complete the seminar, she will need more than 30days. Visa validity (3 months) extension is NOT necessary, just the Duration Of Stay (30 days) is d major concern.

The essence of duration extension is to complete the purpose of the trip. Which is critical. She is working class too.

Pls note that her company has been informed to see how they can help but no response yet and time is running out seriously.

Any possible help will be seriously appreciated.

Cc justwise worry359

Ok i get that now, she needs get a letter from the organizers indicating that the conference has been postponed and a letter from her company authorizing her to stay back for the seminar, both letters will be sent to embassy for change of circumstances. She can do it or her company.

justwise:


Ok i get that now, she needs get a letter from the organizers indicating that the conference has been postponed and a letter from her company authorizing her to stay back for the seminar, both letters will be sent to embassy for change of circumstances. She can do it or her company.

That's what I thought too. Even after looking online, the possibility of getting the extension will depend on how well one is able to convince the authority involved.

Providing the two letters, will that suffice? Because I read somewhere online that extension will hinge on "an unforseeable reason as at the time of leaving the country". This was not the case exactly. with the letters will they be convinced?

Also, I learnt it is impossible to get that extension in France. But some other scheghen countries like belgium and Germany provide the option strictly based on conviction too... But how will one go about this?!!!! there's no info about the processing...other requirements or fees, if it can be done online or to travel there etccc!

I just tire!

Thanks for ur response, I still look forward to any information and assistance possible.

swtchicgurl:


That's what I thought too. Even after looking online, the possibility of getting the extension will depend on how well one is able to convince the authority involved.

Providing the two letters, will that suffice? Because I read somewhere online that extension will hinge on "an unforseeable reason as at the time of leaving the country". This was not the case exactly. with the letters will they be convinced?

Also, I learnt it is impossible to get that extension in France. But some other scheghen countries like belgium and Germany provide the option strictly based on conviction too... But how will one go about this?!!!! there's no info about the processing...other requirements or fees, if it can be done online or to travel there etccc!

I just tire!

Thanks for ur response, I still look forward to any information and assistance possible.

Her case is slightly different, the extension is for the 30days and not for visa it self, the visa is still valid, all she need is the permission to stay longer than 30days indicated, getting a extension on visa itself is close to impossible unless on serious health reasons.

The two letter will help, her company can submit it at French embassy in Nigeria.

justwise:


Her case is slightly different, the extension is for the 30days and not for visa it self, the visa is still valid, all she need is the permission to stay longer than 30days indicated, getting a extension on visa itself is close to impossible unless on serious health reasons.

The two letter will help, her company can submit it at French embassy in Nigeria.

Ok, we'll try this immediately and let you know. Many thanks.

swtchicgurl:


Ok, we'll try this immediately and let you know. Many thanks.

Based on the info presented, yes she can TRY to apply for an extension. Nothing is impossible and there is a possibility that she may receive it. However under NO circumstances should she stay beyond 30 days in France except she receives approval from French authorities before the 30 days runs out.
For example, if it is day 28 and approval has not been received, she should head on the next plane back to Nigeria or wherever she is based.

The 3 month validity is unrelated to the length of stay (30 days). She should not let that encourage her to stay.

If I were in her shoes, I would go back home immediately, sort things out in Nigeria and fly back when the seminar is starting. The ticket cost outweighs the threat of a French ban.

lalavita:


Based on the info presented, yes she can TRY to apply for an extension. Nothing is impossible and there is a possibility that she may receive it. However under NO circumstances should she stay beyond 30 days in France except she receives approval from French authorities before the 30 days runs out.
For example, if it is day 28 and approval has not been received, she should head on the next plane back to Nigeria or wherever she is based.

The 3 month validity is unrelated to the length of stay (30 days). She should not let that encourage her to stay.

If I were in her shoes, I would go back home immediately, sort things out in Nigeria and fly back when the seminar is starting. The ticket cost outweighs the threat of a French ban.

Ok, that is well noted. Thank you for sharing.

swtchicgurl:


Ok, we'll try this immediately and let you know. Many thanks.

Just a thought...why not return to Nigeria and travel back for the seminar? What will she be doing in France for a month before the seminar paying hotel bills and stuff.

justwise:


Just a thought...why not return to Nigeria and travel back for the seminar? What will she be doing in France for a month before the seminar paying hotel bills and stuff.

thanks for this question!

if she travels back to nigeria, does the duration of stay reset? like, does it start counting all over?

this is a question i've been trying to get an answer to, becausse i don't want a case where she will travel back to naija and will be denied a return (assuming the duration of stay on visa period were cumulative).

swtchicgurl:


thanks for this question!

if she travels back to nigeria, does the duration of stay reset? like, does it start counting all over?

this is a question i've been trying to get an answer to, becausse i don't want a case where she will travel back to naija and will be denied a return (assuming the duration of stay on visa period were cumulative).

The visa is valid for 3 months but you can only stay 30days in each visit, just like the UK, you are given 6months visa but can only stay 90days maximum in each visit.

So she can return and travel back again for the seminar with the same visa without seeking any permission from French embassy.

justwise:


The visa is valid for 3 months but you can only stay 30days in each visit, just like the UK, you are given 6months visa but can only stay 90days maximum in each visit.

So she can return and travel back again for the seminar with the same visa without seeking any permission from French embassy.

Awesome! Thanks for the assurance. We'll make it a plan B (if extension does not work out soon enough).

Thanks again.

swtchicgurl:



Awesome! Thanks for the assurance. We'll make it a plan B (if extension does not work out soon enough).

Thanks again.

No worries, good luck.

Justwise, I think that depends if it's multiple entry visa, isn't it?

jammyunn:
Justwise, I think that depends if it's multiple entry visa, isn't it?

Sure.

@swtchicgurl - the Schengen/France system is NOT the same as the USA or UK. It does NOT reset each time you enter the country.
@justwise sorry to disagree with you but I know this from experience. I had a similar visa, went for 1 week and came back. I had another 1 week trip on the same visa with a 30 day annotation and when I was at the airport in Nigeria, they requested for my ticket and checked my return date to ensure both trips did not exceed 30 days in total.

Please see this link - http://www.vfs-france.co.in/faq.html - I copied and pasted the relevant area below.
Q:33 - How long can I stay on a short stay tourist or business visa?
Your visa sticker will have the validity of the visa and the number of days that you can stay in Schengen countries. Say your visa is valid for a month with duration as 10 days. This means that within one month you can stay up to 10 days only.

Apparently the way "duration" is calculated changed in 2013 to what is described above. You can find more info here - http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/
They also have a calculator you can use.

As I said before, your cousin can apply for an extension and you never know...she could get it. She should please not stay beyond the specified duration except she receives the extension. It is simply not worth the stress/ban etc...

lalavita:
@swtchicgurl - the Schengen/France system is NOT the same as the USA or UK. It does NOT reset each time you enter the country.
@justwise sorry to disagree with you but I know this from experience. I had a similar visa, went for 1 week and came back. I had another 1 week trip on the same visa with a 30 day annotation and when I was at the airport in Nigeria, they requested for my ticket and checked my return date to ensure both trips did not exceed 30 days in total.

Please see this link - http://www.vfs-france.co.in/faq.html - I copied and pasted the relevant area below.
Q:33 - How long can I stay on a short stay tourist or business visa?
Your visa sticker will have the validity of the visa and the number of days that you can stay in Schengen countries. Say your visa is valid for a month with duration as 10 days. This means that within one month you can stay up to 10 days only.

Apparently the way "duration" is calculated changed in 2013 to what is described above. You can find more info here - http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/
They also have a calculator you can use.

As I said before, your cousin can apply for an extension and you never know...she could get it. She should please not stay beyond the specified duration except she receives the extension. It is simply not worth the stress/ban etc...

Swtchicgurl based on the info provided by lalavita I think extension will be difficult, and they have made changes to their duration calculations going by the link above. It will be interesting to know what their reply will be, update us when they get back to you.

justwise:

Swtchicgurl based on the info provided by lalavita I think extension will be difficult, and they have made changes to their duration calculations going by the link above. It will be interesting to know what their reply will be, update us when they get back to you.

Ok, I will.

swtchicgurl:


thanks for this question!

if she travels back to nigeria, does the duration of stay reset? like, does it start counting all over?

this is a question i've been trying to get an answer to, becausse i don't want a case where she will travel back to naija and will be denied a return (assuming the duration of stay on visa period were cumulative).

What I would advise is for her to travel out of the schengen Zone in Europe probablly Croatia, Slovenia or Ukraine, hangout there for a day or two then return back to France, upon entry, her stay duration will be reset again, giving her a bit more time to stay and accomplish her purpose. That's basically how you use the Schengen Visa maximally- Move Around with it.
As for extending the duration... daang! thats Gonna be a very hard m
croissant to chew in France.

optimusprime2:

What I would advise is for her to travel out of the schengen Zone in Europe probablly Croatia, Slovenia or Ukraine, hangout there for a day or two then return back to France, upon entry, her stay duration will be reset again, giving her a bit more time to stay and accomplish her purpose. That's basically how you use the Schengen Visa maximally- Move Around with it.
As for extending the duration... daang! thats Gonna be a very hard m
croissant to chew in France.

thank you for the response.

the first plan is an extension and we hope it will work out.

the second plan, as discussed earlier in the thread, is to leave the schenghen area (e.g. return to nigeria, because she does not have another visa), but we are not totally sure if it will reset (like u mentioned) for a multiple entry visa.

worry359:
People are suggesting a lot of expensive travel.
Is this Seminar worth it?
Is it going to lead to employment?

the seminar is worth it.

@justwise, lalavita, the extension process is still on-going, I will update as soon as there is feedback (good news, I pray!).

swtchicgurl:
@justwise, lalavita, the extension process is still on-going, I will update as soon as there is feedback (good news, I pray!).

Ok hope it works out

worry359:
People are suggesting a lot of expensive travel.
Is this Seminar worth it?
Is it going to lead to employment?

actually its cheaper travelling to Croatia from France than going to Nigeria and returning back. How? by train; You could get a direct train, from Zurich Switzerland to Zagreb Croatia- (of course Switzerland borders France, so one could use a bus to Zurich from France)
For the train, There are cheap fares from just €39 with
couchette, €69 with bed in a 2-bed sleeper, if you pre-book.
So its not expensive at all, to me, its even fun. asides the fun/adventure involved, the Visa is Maximally used, once one starts going in and out of EU border zones, the stay duration (days) is recapped upon return.