As of 05.04.2010, the Police and Border Guard started to examine the applications for extension of period of stay according to the new Regulation establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code). The visa regulation handles short-term stays that are not longer than three months during the current six-month period.

Most important amendments proceeding from the Visa Code:
•    By extension of short-time visa according to the Visa Code, there are valid three bases for extension of period of stay: force majeure, humanitarian considerations and serious personal reasons. The person who is submitting for examining the application for extension of period of stay due to force majeure or humanitarian considerations, is released from paying the state fee. If the visa holder provides proof of serious personal reasons justifying the extension of the period of validity or the duration of stay, state fee of 470 kroons (EUR 30) shall be charged for such an extension.
•    As of 05.04.2010, the charge for extension of the long-term stay is 470 kroons. By examining the application for a long-term visa, it is proceeded from the Aliens Act.

The Visa Code foresees also new requirements to travel documents. The travel document of the applicant for extension of period of stay, may not be issued more then ten years ago.

It is possible to get acquainted with the Visa Code at web page of the EU Official Journal:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:243:0001:0058:EN:PDF