We don’t have enough time” is something you will say when you find your visa to Italy does not provide you enough time to explore this beautiful country.
Italy, being one of the members of Schengen zone draws hundreds and thousands of people across the world. The diverse topography, pristine peaks, stunning coastlines, and historical monuments on one side, the glamorous cities, striking skyline, high-end restaurants, art, architecture, and culture on the other hand make it a perfect vacation for every visitor.
For these reasons, the authorities of Italy accept hundreds of applications on types of Italy visa every day and once their application for an Italy tourist visa is approved, they realize that the period of validity of the visa is not sufficient. By desire or other circumstances, they wish to stay longer. So, in this article, we have covered everything you need to know on how to extend your stay as a tourist: Italy visa extension.
Italy visa extension
An Italy tourist visa allows you to travel and stay in the country for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days.
Generally speaking, you cannot extend your Italy visa during your trip, apart from in exclusive (really exclusive) circumstances. Yes, unlike any other visa extension, an Italy visa requires quite a hassle when it comes to extension and have to apply asap before your visa expires. You will have to exit the Schengen zone and apply for a new visa to return and continue your visit to Italy.
Eligibility Criteria for an Italy visa extension
As said, an Italy tourist visa extension is granted in exceptional cases only. Some of the reasons why you will be granted an extension include:
Humanitarian reasons
Humanitarian reasons are basically linked to the personal situation of the visa application for an Italy visa extension. This may be related to medical reasons that you are any person relating to your family accompanying you are suffering from a serious health problem and your or their situation does not allow you or any of the person to travel.
Or the reason can be a family event relating to your member of your family (first degree) and living in Italy including serious illness, or death, and maybe a marriage (in rare cases) that had not been planned or came unnoticed.
Force majeure
Force majeure includes reasons relating to natural causes such as storms, floods, earthquakes, fire, or hurricanes including extreme weather conditions, disturbances and major political events which occurred during your stay in the country. The late modification or cancellation by a carrier such as shipping, airlines, companies, etc. due to a strike of weather conditions can be termed as a force majeure.
Professional obligations or reasons
The reasons to extend your stay are to complete a project attend a conference or participate in some professional activity. This was not foreseen when applying for a visa application or comes unexpectedly and is termed as one of the grounds for extending an Italy tourist visa.
However, you should be able to provide solid proof of the professional reason that is required to extend your visa.
Please note that the approval of an Italy tourist visa extension is not assured and depends on the severity or seriousness of the case and the specific and special situations in which you are found.
How to extend an Italy visa extension?
The process of extending a visa is quite than that of applying for a visa. There are several steps you need to take which are listed below:
Check whether you are eligible:
Checking your eligibility criteria is one of the first things you have to check when you decide to apply for an Italy visa extension. As said, you have to remember that the extensions are granted only if your reason is exclusive and one of the above-mentioned reasons which cannot be avoided and are beyond your control.
Obtain the required documents
Just like for a visa application, you have to provide documents that support your application and reason. The supporting documents include:
A visa extension form that you are eligible for extension and have all necessary documents. You must fill out the application without any errors and provide valid information that matches the documents.
Your original passport that shows the Italy visa through which you have entere
One or two passport-size photos
A clearly written and reasoned request for an extension
A valid proof of means of continuation that covers that extension of your stay and a certificate of accommodation
A confirmed reserved ticket of a new flight ticket for the return
A valid proof that shows you have taken an extended travel insurance that covers the extended duration of your stay in the country
Supporting documents include:
A certificate from a hospital that mentions the condition, impossibility of return, and predicted duration of stay
A certificate from the employer mentioning the additional number of day
Visit the local immigration office
You must make an appointment (sometimes) with the respective authorities to submit the file and may have to attend an interview with the agent services.
Submit the application
You will have to submit the application form attached along with the required documents in person. Do note that not all applicants have to submit the application in person, rather they can go for Italy visa online and it depends on the country.
Pay for the extension fees
You must complete the payment for the extension fee of €30 (subject to change).
Wait for the decision
The processing can take a while ranging from a few days to a month which mostly depends on your case. You can stay in Italy until you receive a response. If your application does not get extended, you must exit the country before your Italy visa expiration.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything about an extension of an Italy visa, you can decide whether you are eligible for one or not. Alternatively, you can choose to re-apply for an Italy tourist visa by exiting the country and following the Italy visa guide.
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