Change Schengen visa from single-entry to multiple-entry

How to change a single entry visa to a multiple entry visa

Do you have one Schengen visa? And do you want to enter the Schengen area more than once? Then in some situations you can change your visa from single entry to multiple entry.

Application change visa to multiple entry

Are you in the Netherlands with a valid Schengen visa type C (single entry visa), this means that you only have to do it once Schengen area may enter. If you want to travel to the Schengen area more often, you must change your visa to one multiple entry visa. This is a visa that allows you to enter and leave the Schengen area more than once. You then ask the IND to change your visa.

Please note! With a multiple entry visa you are not allowed to stay longer in the Netherlands and the Schengen area than with a single entry visa. With a multiple entry visa you can therefore be in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days.

Change conditions Schengen visa

The following conditions apply to changing your visa from single entry to multiple entry:

• Your passport is valid for at least 3 months on the planned date of departure.
• You have a valid short-stay Schengen visa (type C). You have received the visa from the Netherlands or one of the other countries in the Schengen area.
• A new, special and unexpected situation has arisen. This means that the situation was not yet there when you applied for your visa. This is one of these situations:
  • Force majeur. This means that there is nothing you can do about the situation.
  • Important humanitarian reasons.
  • Important serious reasons related to your work.
  • Important personal reasons.
• When you applied for your visa, it was not clear that you had to travel to the Schengen area more often.
• You use your visa for the same purpose for which you received the visa.
• You will still have enough money to pay for the costs of staying in the Schengen area.
• You have (medical) travel insurance taken out in your name. The insurance covers a minimum of €30.000 for medical expenses in the Schengen area. And covers at least these costs:
  • Costs for going home for medical reasons (repatriation).
  • Urgent medical care.
  • Emergency treatment in hospital.
• You will still leave the Schengen area on the date stated on your visa. 
• It is certain that you will get access to your own country or another country.

Documents you need

You show with documents that you meet the conditions. You need these documents to change your Schengen visa to multiple entry:

• Valid passport. 
• Documents that show why you want to change your visa. The documents must show that it concerns a special and unexpected situation. For example: a statement from a medical specialist or general practitioner, death notice, invitation from a company.
• Proof that you have enough money for the stay in the Netherlands.
• Proof of medical travel insurance (policy).

How to request a change to multiple entry

To change your short-stay Schengen visa, make an appointment at the IND desk. You must come to the appointment yourself. Are you under 18 years old? Then your parent or guardian must come to the appointment.

• Call for an appointment to change your visa

Visa change costs

The application for a short-stay Schengen visa change from single entry to multiple entry costs €30. You pay these costs during the appointment at the IND desk.

Decision on the application

On the day of the appointment, bring the requested documents with you. The IND assesses the application immediately at the appointment. The decision is positive or negative. If the decision is positive, you will receive a multiple entry Schengen visa. The counter employee will stick the multiple entry visa in your passport. This is still a Schengen visa type C. In the event of a negative decision, the IND will not change the visa to multiple entry. 

Object to the decision

Will your visa not be changed? And don't you agree? Then ask the IND employee to put the rejection in a letter. You will receive that letter with the negative decision within 2 weeks. You can object to this decision. Read more about objecting and appealing against a decision of the IND.

Medical travel insurance if you are already in the Netherlands

Taking out medical travel insurance when you are already in the Netherlands is sometimes quite difficult. With almost all insurers, the insurance must already have been taken out before departure, once you are in the Netherlands this is no longer possible. Fortunately, you can here on this website take out medical travel insurance for you foreign guest.

Laws and rules

• Regulation No. (EU) No. 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code)
• Regulation No. 810/2009 EC (Visa Code)
• A1/5.1 Aliens Circular

Date article: 10-03-2021 – Source: IND

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• Change Schengen visa from single-entry to multiple-entry
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• Multiple entry visa
• How long is a Schengen visa valid for?