Renewing GNIB for schengen visa

[lemon@lemon.za.net]

Hi,

Currently our GNIB cards are valid until August 2010. We are trying to plan various holidays in June/July 2010 but need to apply for a Schengen Visa for pretty much anywhere in Europe. It would seem that no embassy is willing to issue a visa unless your GNIB card is valid for 3 months after return from holiday, which makes it kinda difficult. Specially seeing as it is almost impossible to get your GNIB renewed earlier than 2 weeks from expiry.

Curious to know what others have done facing similar problems?

thanks
charl

[El shaddai]

I dont think there is any short cut other than to wait and renew your GNIB Card and get the Schengen Visa before any travelling.

[nanette]

go at GNIB and explain to them, they should extend it for you. This happened to me once when I used to get those bloddy shengen visa...


Nana

[zafarzafar]

go to GNIB and explain ur situation, hope they can help

[sa_girl]

if i'm not mistaken, the Dutch Embassy makes exceptions to this rule. has anyone applied for a visa and was refused (on the basis of the GNIB card expiring before 3 months)? Wondering whether providing info from INIS (you can only renew 2 weeks before expiry) might help?

P.S I tried extending my stay but was told only family emergencies warrants an early renewal or extension, holidays don't count!!

[Lost Soul]

Just go and tell the GNIB that you need your Card renewed and why.

They did this many times for me and my family.

Eventually they got tired of us asking and renewed them for five years. That saw us all through to naturalisation. You need to be nice, not demanding like some of the posts to this forum.