Article 15 Extension of stay or renewal of the authorisation for the purposes of seasonal work

1.   Within the maximum period referred to in Article 14(1) and provided that Articles 5 or 6 are complied with and the grounds set out in point (b) of Article 8(1), Article 8(2) and, if applicable, Article 8(4) are not met, Member States shall allow seasonal workers one extension of their stay, where seasonal workers extend their contract with the same employer.

2.   Member States may decide, in accordance with their national law, to allow seasonal workers to extend their contract with the same employer and their stay more than once, provided that the maximum period referred to in Article 14(1) is not exceeded.

3.   Within the maximum period referred to in Article 14(1) and provided that Articles 5 or 6 are complied with and the grounds set out in point (b) of Article 8(1), Article 8(2) and, if applicable, Article 8(4) are not met, Member States shall allow seasonal workers one extension of their stay to be employed with a different employer.

4.   Member States may decide, in accordance with their national law, to allow seasonal workers to be employed by a different employer and to extend their stay more than once, provided that the maximum period referred to in Article 14(1) is not exceeded.

5.   For the purposes of paragraphs 1 to 4, Member States shall accept the submission of an application when the seasonal worker admitted under this Directive is on the territory of the Member State concerned.

6.   Member States may refuse to extend the stay or renew the authorisation for the purpose of seasonal work when the vacancy in question could be filled by nationals of the Member State concerned or by other Union citizens, or by third-country nationals lawfully residing in the Member State. This paragraph shall apply without prejudice to the principle of preference for Union citizens as expressed in the relevant provisions of the relevant Acts of Accession.

7.   Member States shall refuse to extend the stay or renew the authorisation for the purpose of seasonal work where the maximum duration of stay as defined in Article 14(1) has been reached.

8.   Member States may refuse to extend the stay or renew the authorisation for the purpose of seasonal work if the third-country national applies for international protection under Directive 2011/95/EU or if the third-country national applies for protection in accordance with national law, international obligations or practice of the Member State concerned.

9.   Article 9(2) and points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 9(3) shall not apply to a seasonal worker who applies to be employed by a different employer in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article when those provisions apply to the previous employer.

10.   Grounds for extension of a short-stay visa are regulated in the relevant provisions of the Visa Code.

11.   Without prejudice to Article 8(1), any decision on an application for an extension or renewal shall take account of the specific circumstances of the case, including the interests of the seasonal worker, and respect the principle of proportionality.