Hello, I know that tourists can visit Europe up to 90 days in a six month period, but does anyone know the policy to extend your stay due to hospitalization of a family member, particularly in Finland? Embassy said police would handle it, but police are looking into what is the proper agency.
Thanks.
Travel forums are a great place for general travel discussions, but not really the place for legal advice. You need to apply for an extension, and my suggestion is that you ask the Immigration service, https://migri.fi/en/home
Probably makes a difference as well as to your situation. Are you in Finland, approaching your 90 days? Have you overstayed already? Or are you elsewhere, anticipating that your need will be greater than 90 days? The process, and your point of contact would probably be different in each case.
No, no where near the 90 days yet, but my wife will likely be in the hospital longer than that due to unexpected pregnancy complications, so I'm just planning ahead.
In that case my suggestion is to call and ask the immigration service how you should act. The first step is probably to get a letter from the hospital about your wife's condition.
I don't know the details about how it's handled in Finland, but in general an unplanned hospitalization is often a reason for an extension.
I'm a little unclear from your description, but you have contacted the US Embassy in Helsinki specifically? https://fi.usembassy.gov/contact/ Hospitalization is a specific reason to use the emergency contact number. The consular section at the embassy should assist you. If they're not being sufficiently responsive, the page includes emergency contact number in the USA. If I were in your shoes I might also call them, I think the more people that know about your situation the better. Best of luck.
I'm so sorry you wife has been hospitalized. I would have overstayed my 90/180 days in Sweden in 2020 during the pandemic, so I applied for several extensions in writing. I had the paperwork available when I exited Schengen in Germany, but the immigration officer didn't need to see it.
Below, it says specifically to contact the local police, I'm surprised they don't know exactly what to do. Have you tried calling the Finnish immigration authorities? That would be my next suggestion, as I don't see an application on the website. Seems like you would be covered by the hospitalization of your wife. https://poliisi.fi/en/visa-extension#:~:text=can%20be%20extended.-,If%20you%20cannot%20leave%20Finland%20or%20the%20Schengen%20area,be%20extended%20free%20of%20charge.
I think it's important to mention that every Swedish official I spoke with was reasonable, kind and understanding. They will understand your situation.
No advice at all, Justin, but sending you and your wife the very best wishes for a good outcome and a safe trip back home
