An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a movable component that is operated during operation of the internal combustion engine includes: a switching portion that switches the exhaust gas temperature increasing control between a first control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased without operating the movable component and a second control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased operating the movable component; a detecting portion that detects a temporarily sticking state of the movable component; and a controlling portion that, when a temporarily sticking state of the movable component is detected, extends an execution region for the first control toward an execution region for the second control in the entire operation region of the internal combustion engine, whereby the execution region for the second control is reduced.