There are three different types of visas to the Netherlands:
1. Schengen Visa - Short Stay Visa
2. Airport Transit Visa
3. National Visa – Long Stay Visa
As the Netherlands belongs to the list of Schengen countries, you should apply for the Netherlands Schengen visa to make your short trip. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, medical examination or treatment, short-term education, exchange programs, and many other non-permanent nuances.
If you want to study in the Netherlands for more than 90 days (such as bachelor's, master's, doctoral, etc.) or work permanently in an institution located here, you can also apply for a Netherlands national visa, if you have official invitations or letters of acceptance from those educational and business institutions.
The Schengen visa entitles the holder to visits of up to 90 days in every 6 months in the entire Schengen area.
The Schengen area is an area comprised of 26 European states that have abolished passport control at their shared borders and have adopted a common visa policy.
Austria |
Liechtenstein |
Belgium |
Lithuania |
Czech Republic |
Luxembourg |
Denmark |
Malta |
Estonia |
The Netherlands |
Finland |
Norway |
France |
Poland |
Germany |
Portugal |
Greece |
Slovakia |
Hungary |
Slovenia |
Iceland |
Spain |
Italy |
Sweden |
Latvia |
Switzerland |
If your citizenship country does not have a visa exemption agreement with the Netherlands and you want to come to the Netherlands for a short stay, for a business trip, holiday, family or friends visit, you will be required to apply for a Schengen visa beforehand. This short-stay visa is valid only for up to 90 days to stay within a 180-day period in the Netherlands and all other Schengen area member states. The start date of the 180-day period is the day you enter the Netherlands or another Schengen country.
The main purposes of the visit for a Schengen visa are:
If you intend to visit the Netherlands with the purpose of tourism for a period shorter than 90 days, depending on your nationality, you might be required to obtain a Netherlands Tourist visa first.
The Netherlands Tourist visa permits you to stay in the Netherlands and realize your tourist activities for a maximum period of 90 days at most per 180 days.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)
9. Proof of Financial Means
10. Overseas Medical Insurance
11. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Tourist visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for the Netherlands Tourist Visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
A Netherlands Business visa gives you the authorization to enter the Netherlands and stay here for a maximum period of up to 90 days within six months, as permitted. It permits its holder to engage in business-related activities such as attending meetings or conferences, conducting or attending the training, conducting internal audits, installing equipment, or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate, or branch office.
Under the Business visa category, other following cases would be applicable:
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)
9. Proof of Financial Means
10. Overseas Medical Insurance
11. For Minors:
12. Documents Reflecting the Nature of the Business Trip and the Existence of Business Relations
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Business visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for a Netherlands Business visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
The Netherlands Cultural/Scientific/Sports Visa enables you to enter the Netherlands for cultural, scientific or, sports purposes, such as attending cultural events.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)
9. Proof of Financial Means
10. Overseas Medical Insurance
11. Documents Reflecting the Nature /Purpose of the Journey and stay of Artist/Member of Cultural / Sports Association in the Netherlands: Artist/Athlete Member of Cultural/Sports Association in your country travels to a Cultural/Sports Event organized in Cooperation with a Netherlands Cultural/Sports Association
12. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Cultural visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for the Netherlands Cultural visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
A Short-stay Family/friend Visit visa allows you to travel to the Netherlands to visit family or friends for up to a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)
9. Proof of Financial Means
10. Overseas Medical Insurance
11. Proof of Visit / Accommodation:
If visiting: close relatives - spouse, children, parents (including guardians), grandparents:
If visiting other relatives or friends:
12. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Family Visit visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for the Netherlands Family Visit visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
A Netherlands Study visa is granted to you to undertake trips to the Netherlands for study or educational training, which requires staying in the Netherlands up to 90 days per half a year.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Proof of Visit
9. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation), if any
10. Proof of Financial Means
In case of scholarship:
In case of self-funding:
In case of sponsorship:
11. Overseas Medical Insurance
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Schengen (Study up to 90 days) visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for the Netherlands Schengen (Study up to 90 days) visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
A Netherlands Work visa is granted to you to undertake trips to the Netherlands for short-term work activities, which requires staying in the Netherlands up to 90 days per half a year.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Proof of Visit
9. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation), if any
10. Proof of Financial Means
In case of self-funding:
In case of sponsorship:
11. Depending on the Type of Works, the Applicant Should Provide the Following Documents:
To construct and assemble machines, systems, and software which have been ordered from the employer and to provide instruction in their operation, service, or repair:
To accept machines, systems, or other objects acquired for the local employer and/or receive instructions in their operation:
To dismantle acquired, used systems for the purpose of reconstructing them in your country:
To construct, dismantle, and manage the company's own trade fair stands or the trade fair stands of a foreign company which is resident in your country (do not need an invitation):
To participate in training as part of export delivery and licensing agreements:
For holiday jobs:
12. Overseas Medical Insurance
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Schengen (Work up to 90 days) visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application Center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for a Netherlands Schengen (Work up to 90 days) visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
An airport transit visa allows you to change planes at a Dutch airport for onward travel to a destination outside the Schengen Area. The visa (also referred to as an 'A' visa) does not allow you to enter the Netherlands or another Schengen country. This means you cannot leave the airport nor the international zone of the airport.
If you are travelling to another Schengen country via the Netherlands, you will need a short-stay Schengen visa. Airport transit visas are not valid for this purpose.
If you are transiting through two different Schengen airports for onward travel to a country outside Schengen and the first transit airport is in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa. Airport transit visas are not valid for this purpose.
Whether you need an airport transit, visa depends on a number of things, including your nationality. The Netherlands Official Visa Adviser helps you determine whether you need an airport transit visa.
Regardless of whether or not you need an airport transit visa, it is the airline that decides to allow you onto the flight or not. Even if you have the necessary documents for your journey.
Under certain circumstances, you do not require an airport transit visa. For example, if you:
As of February 2, 2020, you do not need an airport transit visa if you have a valid visa or a residence permit for Aruba, Curaçao, Sint-Maarten, Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, or Saba.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Two Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Travel Itinerary
8. Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (Proof of Occupation)
9. Proof of Financial Means
10. Overseas Medical Insurance
11. For Minors:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Airport Transit visa is 5-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
Since 02 February 2020, the fee for Schengen visas has been 80 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application. Additionally, you may also need to pay other Administrative fees such as the Visa Application center fee, courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.
According to the agreement signed between The EU and Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, visa fee reduced to 35 EUR for the citizens of these countries.
Visa fees are waived by all Schengen states for the following categories of persons, regardless of their nationality:
You will apply for a Netherlands Airport Transit visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Even if your country is exempt from visa requirements if you intend to stay longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a long-stay visa from your home country before coming to the Netherlands.
The national visa grants entry to the Netherlands on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit. It enables you to enter the Netherlands as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency. You will need to convert your visa into a residence permit within three months of arriving in the Netherlands.
This visa is designed for applicants wishing to take up employment in the Netherlands, as well as for high skilled persons who are candidates for a Blue Card of the European Union.
The EU Blue Card allows third-country nationals with a university degree to take up employment in the Netherlands commensurate with their qualifications. Please note that potential Blue-Card holders need to earn a gross salary of 52.000 € or MINT profession (Mathematics / Informatics / Natural Sciences / Technology) require at least 40.560€ and shall have found a position in their field of study.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Three Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Proof of Employment in the Netherlands
a) Employment contract or Contract/binding job offer
b) Deputation Order:
8. Proof of Qualification
a) General employment:
b) EU Blue-Card Candidate:
9. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Professional Career, Specifying the Certificates, Diplomas, and Qualifications You Have Obtained
10. Proof of Accommodation
11. Police Record
12. Medical Certificate
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Employment (National) visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
The Netherlands Employment (National) Visa fee is 285 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for the Netherlands Employment (National) visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is intended to permit foreign nationals to obtain a long-term visa, allowing them to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period. This visa applies to those who are admitted to the state college or state university in the Netherlands.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Three Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Details from your University in the Netherlands:
a) Confirmed University Admission
b) Confirmed Language Course with Conditional University Admission
8. Knowledge Of Language, For Cases of Confirmed University Admission and Confirmed Admission to a Preparation Course for University
9. Proof of Accommodation in the Netherlands
10. Proof of Economic Solvency
You will have to submit one or more of the following:
11. Medical Insurance
12. A Certificate of Criminal Record
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Study (National) visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Netherlands Student (National) Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Dutch National (long-term) Visa fee is 171 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
In most cases, your university in Netherlands issue a visa for you in Netherlands itself.
In case of you are required to apply for the Netherlands Study (National) visa yourself, you will apply for it in the Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is intended to permit foreign nationals to obtain a long-term visa, allowing them to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period. This visa applies to family members of Netherlands nationals and wishing to obtain a permit for long-term residence in the Netherlands.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Three Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Details of Spouse
8. Marriage Certificate
a) Netherlands Marriage Certificate:
b) Foreign Marriage Certificate:
9. Divorce Decree of Previous Marriages or Death Certificate of Former Spouse (if the applicant has been previously married)
10. Proof of Accommodation in the Netherlands
11. Proof of Sufficient Means of Substance
12. Health Insurance Will Only Be Requested Where Applicable
Requirements:
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Family Reunion (National) visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Netherlands Family Reunion National Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Dutch Family Reunion Visa fee is 171 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for the Netherlands Family Reunion National visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Netherlands Self-Employment (Entrepreneurial) visa can be granted to third-country nationals investing in the national economy of Netherlands, whose who are or intend to become stockholders or shareholders, with management or administration powers in companies that are Netherlands legal entities.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Three Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Company Profile
a) Head Office
b) New Office
8. Business Plan
9. Concept
10. Capital Requirements
11. A Certificate of Criminal Record
12. Personal Details
13. Medical Insurance
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Entrepreneur visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Netherlands Entrepreneur Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Dutch National (long-term) Visa fee is 1348 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for the Netherlands National Entrepreneur visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
This visa is intended to allow foreign nationals to obtain a long-term visa, allowing them to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period. This visa applies for young people welcomed temporarily into a family, where he/she is lodged and fed in return for light everyday family tasks, to perfect his linguistic knowledge and increase his general culture through an improved familiarity with the country while participating in the life of the host family.
1. Application Form
2. Passport
3. Three Photos
4. ID Card
5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
6. Photocopies
7. Invitation Letter from Host Family Clarifying the Following:
8. Agreement with the Host Family
9. Au Pair/Host Family Questionnaire
10. Motivation Letter (why do you wish to go to the Netherlands?) in Dutch or English
11. Documents Reflecting your Previous Education and Skills
12. A Certificate of Criminal Record
13. Medical Insurance
*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.
The average processing time for a Netherlands Au Pair visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.
When you submit your application for a Netherlands Au Pair Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The Dutch National (long-term) Visa fee is 285 EUR for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.
You will apply for the Netherlands Au Pair visa in Netherlands visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.
Yes. Once you have entered the Schengen territory, a single entry visa allows the holder to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory, he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.
You must meet certain requirements to enter the Netherlands, even if you do not require a visa:
This visa gives permission to its holder to enter the Schengen Area (all 26 member States) as many times as they wish, within a period of 1, 3, 5 years. However, even in this case, the visa holder is limited to remaining in the Schengen Area no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
Schengen visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days (within 180 days) from your arrival date. The Schengen visa is not valid before the arrival date you provide on your visa application.
An airport transit visa is valid for the period it takes you to transfer between flights in a Netherlands airport.
National visas are usually issued for three months but can be valid up to 12 months, depending on your reason for requesting a visa. The national visa will cover you while your residence permit application is processed.
If your Netherlands visa application is rejected, you will be notified by your mission that your application has been unsuccessful. You will be informed of the grounds on which it was rejected and have one month to appeal the decision by writing to the Dutch mission. Then, your application will be reconsidered. You can also apply for a visa again if your circumstances changed.
All applicants must appear in person in the Embassy/Consulate of Visa Application Center for the submission of the documents since the identity needs to be verified and biometric data must be collected. Please contact local Netherlands representatives for more precise information.
All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.
No, you generally can not work in the Netherlands with a Schengen Visa. If you come to the Netherlands as a temporary foreign worker, you need to apply for a national visa in advance.
It is possible to extend the validity of visas only in exceptional cases, such as a natural disaster. This must be done at the Foreigners’ Office covering your area of residence.
A Schengen visa is issued for a maximum period of stay of three months and cannot be extended. The visa must be applied for, by the traveler personally, at the Dutch Foreign Mission abroad, which is responsible for the place of residence and cannot be extended in Netherlands, nor converted into a residence permit.