SCHENGEN VISAS

Schengen visas can be extended only in exceptional situations.

Schengen visas can be extended if the visa holder provides proof of force majeure or humanitarian reasons preventing him / her from leaving the Schengen Area before the expiry of the visa validity or the stay duration authorized by the visa. Such situations are assessed by the Alien Police, which extends the Schengen visa if it finds the above-mentioned conditions have been fulfilled – the total duration of stay may not exceed 90 days (i.e. the maximum duration of a short-term Schengen visa). Such an extension is granted free of charge. (Art. 33.1 of the Visa Code and Section 20 Paragraph 3 of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

Schengen visas can also be extended if the visa holder provides proof of serious personal reasons preventing him / her from leaving the Schengen Area before the expiry of the visa validity or the stay duration authorized by the visa. Such situations are assessed by the Alien Police, which extends the Schengen visa if it finds the above-mentioned conditions have been fulfilled – the total duration of stay may not exceed 90 days (i.e. the maximum duration of a short-term Schengen visa). A fee of 30 euros is charged for such an extension. (Art. 33.2 of the Visa Code and Section 20 Paragraph 3 of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

Decision about the visa extension lies fully with the Alien Police. It can assess that the visa extension request is unsubstantiated. (Art. 33.3 of the Visa Code)

LONG-TERM VISAS

Long-term visa that has been issued for less than one year can be extended by the Ministry of the Interior for a maximum of one year provided the purpose of stay has not changed. (Section 35 of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

Long-term visa for the purpose of seasonal employment that has been issued for less than six months can be extended by the Ministry of the Interior for a maximum of six months provided the purpose of stay has not changed. (Section 35a of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

Special work visa cannot be extended. (Section 31a Paragraph 4 of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

LONG-TERM RESIDENCE PERMITS

Long-term residence permit can be extended by the Ministry of the Interior under the circumstances based on the purpose of stay. (Sections 44a, 44b, 44c, 45, 46, 46a of the Act on Residence of Aliens)

Legal sources:

• Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
• Act No 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and Amending Certain Acts (available in Czech)

Useful links:

• Ministry of the Interior - information for foreigners
• Alien Police Service
• European Parliament - information about the Schengen Area