Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands for the first time is quite a job. It takes time to prepare, especially to collect all forms and supporting documents and to submit them correctly. If you ensure that your application is complete and with the correct documents, there is a very good chance that you will receive a positive decision.
A visa application for the Netherlands can be submitted at the earliest 6 months and at the latest 15 calendar days before the start of the intended travel date. It is advisable to submit your visa application well in advance of the intended departure date.
Submit visa application in person
You must always apply for a Schengen visa in person when applying for the first time. This is because you also have to provide your biometric data. You then have your fingerprints taken. You do this when you submit your application. These remain valid for 59 months. For some applicants, such as children under the age of 12, this is not necessary. Have you provided biometrics (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have your application submitted by someone else. You do not have to appear in person.
Dutch representation
You always apply for a visa at the Dutch representation in your own country (country of origin). Or in the country where you live with a valid residence permit (country of residence).
You often have to submit the visa application to an external agency: the external service provider (EDV). The Dutch government uses this Vfs global. This office will receive the application and send it to the Dutch representation for processing. In this case, in addition to the costs for the visa application, you also pay an additional amount to the external service provider.
Single entry or multiple entry?
There are two types of short stay visa (Schengenvisa) for the Netherlands:
- 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 permit allows a maximum stay of 90 days per 180 days in the Netherlands/Schengen area. This does not have to be consecutive. You can also distribute this. But the foreigner may never stay in the Netherlands/Schengen area for more than 90 days out of 180 days.
The following applies to both visas: if one has had a consecutive stay of 90 days in the Netherlands or in one of the Schengen countries, the guest must wait at least 90 days before he/she can return to the Schengen area.
Think about the right medical travel insurance
A mandatory one medical insurance is a condition for issuing a short stay visa (Schengen visa) for the Netherlands.
Therefore, when applying for a visa, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that one medical travel insurance has been taken out. This can be done by showing a copy or the original policy. The medical travel insurance must meet the following EU conditions:
- The validity of this Travel Insurance must be equal to the total visa period.
- The travel insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries (minimum Europe coverage).
- The travel insurance must cover repatriation costs and urgent medical expenses.
- The cover for medical costs must be at least € 30.000.
Close who and where?
The insurance may be taken out by a guarantor, sponsor or family member in the Netherlands. The sponsor is then the policyholder and the visa applicant is the insured. The Schengen insurance policy can then be forwarded to the visa applicant.
A Schengen travel insurance policy and the policy conditions may be drawn up in Dutch or English.
Frequently asked questions and answers about a visa application for the Netherlands (FAQ)
You can apply for a visa for the Netherlands at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live. Usually this has to be done through an external service provider such as VFS Global.
A visa for a short stay (up to 90 days) costs € 80 For children aged 6 to 12: € 40 For children up to 6 years of age: € 0 The costs for the VFS service fee Global may amount to a maximum of € 40 (half of the fee for a visa application). There are also additional costs, such as those of medical travel insurance.
A visa application for the Netherlands can be submitted at the earliest 6 months and at the latest 15 calendar days before the start of the intended travel date. It is advisable to submit an application well in advance of the intended departure date.
You must have a valid passport not older than 10 years. You may not pose a threat to public order, national security or the international relations of one of the Schengen countries. In addition, there are a number of conditions, which you can read here: about the visa procedure »
A visa application starts with filling in a visa application form and then collecting the required documents such as proof of travel medical insurance. It is best to use the checklist from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In normal situations, the embassy will make a decision within 15 calendar days. The legal decision period starts on the day the visa application is received by the embassy. In some cases, more time is needed to conduct research. In that case, the decision period can be extended to a maximum of 30 days.
