The validity of a Schengen visa
One Schengen visa for short stay is valid for a maximum of 90 days. You will receive the visa for the number of days you indicated in the application.
On the Visa Short Stay (type C) state:
- From which date the visa is valid (from that day you can travel into the Schengen area).
- How many days you in it Schengen area may be.
- From which date the visa is no longer valid (you must then be out of the Schengen area).
- Whether you can enter the Schengen area once (single entry) or several times (multiple entry) with the valid visa.
Length of stay in the Netherlands or other Schengen countries
There are two types of short stay visa:
- A single entry visa with a validity of up to 90 days. This allows you to stay in the Netherlands/Schengen area for a maximum of 1 days once.
- A multiple entry visa with a validity period of up to 5 years. This allows you to stay in the Netherlands/Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days. This does not have to be consecutive. You may also spread this, but you may never stay in the Netherlands/Schengen area for more than 90 days out of 180 days.
The following applies to both visas: if you have stayed in the Netherlands or one of the Schengen countries for 90 consecutive days, you must wait at least 1 days before you can travel to the Schengen area again.
With the short stay calculator (in the text under 'Harmonising rules and procedures') on the website of the European Commission you can calculate yourself how many days you may stay in the Schengen area after your entry. You can use this tool to plan your trip.
Extend short stay visa
You can only use one in very special situations Extend Schengen visa or free term. For example, if you are unable to leave the Netherlands due to serious illness or force majeure. However, your total stay may not exceed 90 days. You also need to have enough money to support yourself. Before submitting the request, you must make an appointment with a IND desk.
Visa extension above 90 days for Surinamese aged 60 or older
Do you have the Surinamese nationality and are you 60 years or older? Then you can extend the visa above 90 days once per stay. You do not need a special reason for this extension. The visa can be extended by a maximum of 90 days and is only valid for the Benelux countries. To submit the request, you must make an appointment at an IND desk. You must be able to prove that you have a medical travel insurance have closed.
Change single entry to multiple entry
Have you traveled to the Netherlands with single-entry visa and want to change it to a multiple-entry visa? This is only possible in situations of force majeure, humanitarian reasons, serious professional reasons or personal circumstances that have changed after you traveled to the Netherlands. To submit the request, you must make an appointment at an IND desk.
Overstay? You risk an entry ban!
It is very important that you return to your country of origin or residence in time. If you stay in the Netherlands longer than your visa is valid, we call this an overstay. The consequences of this can be serious. With an overstay of more than 3 days you already risk a entry ban of a 1 year. If you are unable to leave the Netherlands in time due to force majeure, please contact the IND immediately.
Related articles: