Do you need a Schengen visa for the Netherlands? The website Schengenvisum.info is a knowledge base covering everything related to a Schengen visa (Short-Stay Visa type C). With this information, we guide you step-by-step through the visa application process . The authors and initiators have built up a wealth of knowledge and made all relevant information available in one place.
Applying for a Short-Stay Visa (usually referred to as a Schengen visa or Schengen visas) is always a stressful experience. You don't want to make any mistakes because you fear negatively impacting the process. Your guest might then be unable to travel to the Netherlands. A visa rejection ultimately causes a great deal of emotion. That is precisely why good and reliable information is important. You can certainly find that information here.
We advise you to read all the information on this website before applying for a visa. Please use the menus at the top of the page for this purpose. On this website, you will also find extensive information about Schengen insurance , which is mandatory for a visa application. In addition to Schengen visas, there are other types of visas for the Netherlands , such as an airport transit visa . A long-stay visa (5-year visa) is an MVV with a residence permit.
I do not live in Europe and want to travel to the Netherlands
If you do not live in an EU country and wish to travel to the Netherlands, there is a high chance that you will first need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa. Examples of this include visitors from Turkey , Morocco , and Russia . However, travelers from countries such as Indonesia , China , India , the Philippines , and Thailand must also apply for a Schengen visa before they can visit the Netherlands or other Schengen countries. This concerns so-called visa-required nationalities.
A traveler from Brazil , Ukraine (with a biometric passport), or Canada, on the other hand, does not need to apply for a visa for their trip to the Netherlands. This applies to nationalities that are exempt from the visa requirement . Confusing, isn't it? But read on first, because it will become clearer.
A reason to visit the Netherlands can be very diverse, but it usually concerns:
- Tourist stay
- Visiting family or friends
- Stay with partner
- Business visit
Schengen visa and Schengen countries? What is that?
The Schengen Area is an association of 27 European member states that maintain a common border and visa policy. The member states are bound by the same visa rules, which are laid down in the Common Visa Code , EU Regulation 810/2009/EC. This enables travelers to move throughout the entire Schengen Area without mutual border controls. Visa-required persons need only one visa, the Schengen visa , to cross the external border of the Schengen Area. Therefore, if you have a Schengen visa for the Netherlands, you may also travel to Spain or Germany, for example, with it.
How long can a traveler requiring a visa stay in the Netherlands (or other Schengen countries)?
With a short-stay Schengen visa, you may stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days (within a period of 180 days). You always receive a visa for a specific period. This period may also be shorter than 90 days. As long as your visa is valid, you may travel freely between the 27 Schengen countries . If you stay in the Schengen area for 90 consecutive days, you must wait 90 days before you can travel to the Schengen area again.
Do you want to enter and leave the Schengen area multiple times within these 180 days? Then select the ' multiple entry ' option when applying for the visa.
In 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received and processed more than 680.000 visa applications. Of this number, more than 580.000 applications were granted.
(Source: Consular Policy Note 2019 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
First step: Visa required or not?
Whether you need a short-stay visa depends on, among other things, your nationality, destination, and duration of stay. Do you have more than one nationality? Then the passport you travel with determines whether you need a Schengen visa.
Nationalities that NOT ALLOWED be required to have a visa
There are 62 nationalities that are allowed to visit the Netherlands and the other Schengen countries without a visa. However, conditions and rules also apply to these nationalities that must be complied with, such as the mandatory purchase of medical travel insurance. From 2024 onwards, significant changes will occur for visa-free travelers wishing to travel to the EU or the Schengen area. Foreign travelers will then have to deal with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The ETIAS system will apply to visa-free third-country nationals. They will be required to apply for a travel authorisation online before their trip. For each application, the applicant will have to pay a travel authorisation fee of €7.
Nationalities that be required to have a visa
The nationalities listed below require a visa and must apply for a Schengen visa if they wish to travel to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries:
| Visa Required Countries | |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Algeria |
| Angola | Armenia |
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Belarus |
| Belize | Benin |
| Bhutan | Bolivia |
| Botswana | Burkina Faso |
| Burundi | Cambodia |
| Central African Republic | China |
| Comoros | Congo |
| Cuba | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Djibouti | Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador | Egypt |
| Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea |
| Ethiopia | Fiji |
| Philippines | Gabon |
| Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
| Guyana | Haiti |
| India | Indonesia |
| Iraq | Iran |
| Ivory Coast | Jamaica |
| Yemen | Jordan |
| Cape Verde | Cameroon |
| Kazakhstan | Kenya |
| Kyrgyzstan | Kuwait |
| Laos | Lesotho |
| Lebanon | Liberia |
| Libya | Madagascar |
| Malawi | Maldives |
| Mali | Morocco |
| Mauritania | Mongolia |
| Mozambique | Myanmar/Burma |
| Namibia | Nauru |
| Nepal | Niger |
| Nigeria | North Korea |
| Uganda | Uzbekistan |
| Oman | Pakistan |
| Papua New Guinea | Qatar |
| Russia | Rwanda |
| Sao Tome and Principe | Saudi Arabia |
| Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Somalia | Sri Lanka |
| Sudan | Suriname |
| Swaziland | Syrie |
| Tadjikistan | Tanzania |
| Thailand | Togo |
| Chad | Tunisia |
| Turkey | Turkmenistan |
| Vietnam | Zambia |
| Zimbabwe | South Africa |
| South Sudan |
Apply for a Schengen visa
If you are a national of one of the countries listed above, you will most likely need to apply for a Short-Stay Visa (Schengen visa) . How to do this is explained on another page. Click the button below for this.
Medical travel insurance Schengen visa
An important condition for obtaining a Schengen visa is taking out the right medical travel insurance that meets all EU requirements. You can do this here starting from just €2 per person per day (European coverage). Medical travel insurance also protects the guarantor against potential costs. We offer you Schengen visa insurance with a visa guarantee! You can take out insurance here for someone from abroad , or do you need Schengen insurance for the Netherlands ? That is also possible.
Are you hosting family, a partner, or friends from abroad? Then protect yourself and your foreign guest with good insurance . Should your guest from abroad incur medical expenses, this is covered. Dental costs resulting from an accident are also covered. The Travel Risk Insurance reimburses the costs of, among other things: general practitioners, medication, ambulance services, and hospital costs in Europe or worldwide.
Schengen Visitor Insurance OOM
Please note: Allianz no longer offers Travel Risk Insurance for a Schengen visa. Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative: the Schengen Visitor insurance from OOM Insurance. This Dutch insurer from Rijswijk specializes in Schengen insurance.
The policy offers visa guarantee (if the visa is rejected, you will get the premium back) and extensive coverage up to €500.000. With a low premium starting at €1,60 per day, it is a reliable and affordable choice. You can take out the policy online immediately, and you will receive it within an hour.
✔ Meets all requirements for a Schengen visa application with ease.
✔ Affordable and good: From just €1,60 per person per day.
✔ The policy by email within 1 hour (iDEAL, credit card or PayPal).
✔ Also for persons over 70 years of age
✔ Coverage for medical expenses up to a maximum of €500.000
✔ VISA GUARANTEE: If your Schengen visa is rejected, you will receive a refund of the premium.
✔ Liability can optionally be included in the insurance.
The Schengen Visitor insurance is the best choice for a successful Schengen visa application!
Would you prefer to receive the policy in English? Click here: Calculate premium and finalize.
More information about OOM's Schengen insurance:
- Coverage overview Schengen Visitor Insurance
- Policy conditions Schengen Visitor Insurance
- Schengen Visitor Insurance Insurance Card
Country specifics
We have listed the specifics regarding a visa application for several countries . You can read them here: Iran , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Ukraine , Egypt , Pakistan , Vietnam , United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Ghana , Oman, United States, Algeria , Jordan, Qatar, Syria, Dominican Republic , Suriname , and Tunisia.
Can't find something? Then check our sitemap page.
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