Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
How do you apply for a visa for the Netherlands?
Are you coming to the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days? Then you may need a short-stay Schengen visa. This depends on your nationality. The visa allows you to travel freely in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries within a period of 180 days.
A short stay visa applying for the Netherlands requires good preparation. That is why you will have to take plenty of time and sit well to provide the forms and supporting documents correctly. Make sure your application is complete and provide the correct supporting documents, such as the mandatory ones medical travel insurance.
Apply for a visa for the Netherlands in good time
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. Our advice is to submit an application well in advance of the intended departure date. Also consider the Schengen insurance for the Netherlandsnd
Provide biometric data
You must always apply for a visa for the Netherlands in person if you have not yet provided biometric data. You then have fingerprints taken. You do this when you submit the 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 such as embassy or consulate
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 VFS Global for this. 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.
There are two types of short stay visa (Schengenvisa) for the Netherlands:
- A single-entry visa with a maximum validity of 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 maximum validity of 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.
Frequently asked questions and answers about applying for a visa for the Netherlands
If you have a visa-required nationality, yes. You can read that here: visa-requiring nationalities »
Family members of EU citizens can invoke their right of free movement in a number of situations. You can read more about this subject here: right to free movement »
You must submit the visa application for the Netherlands to the embassy of the country you intend to visit. If you plan to visit several Schengen states, you must apply for the visa at the embassy of the Schengen country where you will be staying the longest. If you plan to visit several Schengen states and will stay for the same length of time, you must apply for a visa at the embassy of the country whose external borders you will cross first upon entering the Schengen area.
That is possible, you have to pay extra for that and in the end you still do the work yourself because you have to provide all the documents. In addition, the use of a desk has no influence whatsoever on the decision-making process.
With a first visa application you are usually only eligible for a single entry. A visa can also be issued for two or multiple entries. It is therefore best for someone who travels frequently to ask for multiple entry.
Yes that is allowed. You do not necessarily have to arrive via the Netherlands, provided you make it plausible that the Netherlands is still the main purpose of the trip. You are then free, for example, to cross the external border via Germany and to travel from there to the Netherlands. Make sure you have all supporting documents for your visa application with you.
In normal situations, the embassy will make a decision within 15 calendar days. This decision period is determined by law and is included in the European Visa Code (Term Regulation (EC) 810/2009). 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. If this is the case, you will be notified by the IND. If additional documents are required, this period may be extended to 60 days in exceptional cases.
Applying for a visa for the Netherlands can be submitted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days (due to the normal maximum decision period) before the start of the intended travel date. It is therefore advisable to submit the application well in advance, preferably at least one month before the intended departure date.
A visa for a short stay (up to 90 days) in the Netherlands costs €80. For children aged 6 to 12: €40. For children up to the age of 6: €0 The costs for the service fee from VFS Global may amount to a maximum of € 40 (half of the fee for a visa application).
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.
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 »
