As a Dutch citizen you do not need a visa for countries within the European Union Schengen area or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. You may need a visa for other countries.
What is a Visa?
A visum is an official permission to enter and stay in a country. A visa is usually issued by the embassy or consulate of the country the traveler is going to. The issuance of a visa is subject to rules. There are also different visas, the issue of which is determined by the purpose of the trip. Commonly used visas are:
- tourist visa;
- Visa for students;
- Visa for pensioners;
- Visa for expats with permission to work.
Most tourist visas are valid for up to 90 days. A distinction is made how often the traveler is allowed to enter the country in a certain period:
- Single entry (one time access).
- Double entry (twice entry).
- Multiple entry visa (unrestricted entry).
Often, multi-entry visas require you to leave the country in order to get permission again for the next visa period. This usually involves a short trip to a neighboring country. This is called a 'visa run'.
For a number of countries, a visa must be applied for at an embassy or consulate before departure. There are also commercial companies that apply for a visa for you for a fee.
Visa on arrival
Many tourist countries issue a visa the moment you enter the country, this is called 'visa on arrival'. You almost always have to pay for the issuance of a visa. Sometimes countries (temporarily) waive this and free visas are issued to stimulate tourism.
A visa is usually a sticker or seal that is placed in your passport, but it can also be a stamp. Sometimes a visa is a document that must be kept alongside the passport.
Travel insurance against medical costs is sometimes mandatory
When applying for a visa, the traveler is often required to submit a number of documents or evidence. This can be an invitation letter or proof that you are going to study in the country of destination. In a number of countries you must demonstrate that you have health insurance and repatriation. These countries do not want to pay for the medical costs if tourists cannot or do not want to pay a hospital bill.
Travel within the European Union (EU) or Schengen area
You do not need a visa for an EU country or Schengen country. You must have a valid Dutch passport or identity card.
Travel to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom
You do not need a visa for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. You then need a valid Dutch passport. However, certain conditions apply conditions if you go to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom want to travel.
The Caribbean part of the Kingdom consists of:
- the countries Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten;
- the 3 public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Travel to another country
Are you going to a country outside the European Union, the Schengen area or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom? Then you may need a visa. You can check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are traveling to whether this is the case. And whether there are any other conditions to be able to travel into the country.
