Netherlands Visa
Schengen Visa Applications
For Travel To Netherlands For Tourism, Business and Family Visits
Click below to get started.
Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
Third-country nationals must obtain a short-stay Schengen visa to visit the Netherlands for up to 90 days.
Visa processing can take up to 12 weeks during busy seasons. We strongly advise applying as soon as possible to ensure that you get a visa to the Netherlands in time for your trip.
European Union, European Economic Area, and Swiss citizens are exempt from the visa requirement. Several non-EU countries also do not require a visa.
Netherlands Schengen Visa Entries
To start the visa application process for the Netherlands, click below to get started
Apply For A VisaNetherlands Schengen C-Visas
A Schengen Visa is an official travel document which allows travel to the Netherlands or any other countries in the Schengen region.
You are permitted to remain in the Schengen region for up to 90 days out of every 180 days. Your visa will be good for a set amount of time. This time frame can be less than 90 days. While your visa is still in effect, you can travel freely between the 27 Schengen nations.
Select the multiple-entry option when submitting your application if you want to enter and exit the Schengen region more than once during the 180-day window.
Netherlands National D-Visas
If you want to remain longer than 90 days in the Netherlands, for example, to live with family, work or study, you may need a long-term visa or a residence permit. A long-stay visa is a temporary stay authorization (MVV). Whether you need an MVV or a residence permit depends on factors such as your nationality and purpose of stay.
You do not require an MVV or a residence permit if you are a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
Your long-stay visa is for a period of three months to one year, regardless of the length of your anticipated stay.
The long-stay visa is comparable to a Schengen visa throughout its validity term, allowing you to travel and remain in the Schengen area outside of the Netherlands for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, under the same circumstances as if you had a Schengen visa.
Netherlands Schengen Visa Purposes
A Netherlands Schengen visa allows you to stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You can use your visa to travel to any of the other 26 Schengen countries during your stay.
The following are the most common purposes when applying for a short stay Schengen visa to the Netherlands:
Tourism: If you are planning to visit the Netherlands for sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or attending a cultural event.
Business: If you are traveling to the Netherlands for business purposes, such as attending a conference or meeting with clients.
Medical treatment: If you are traveling to the Netherlands for medical treatment.
Study: If you are planning to study in the Netherlands for less than 90 days.
Transit: If you are passing through the Netherlands on your way to another country, you may not need a visa, but it is always best to check beforehand
Dutch Family Members
If you wish to live in the Netherlands with a Dutch family member, you will require an MVV and a residence permit.
If a member of your Dutch family has recently resided in another EU member state or in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, decide whether EU legislation qualifies you for a residence visa. If so, your sponsor must submit the application to the IND directly. Please note that a short-stay visa may be required to acquire this permit in the Netherlands.
Family Members of Other EU Member States
You want to reside in the Netherlands with a family member who is a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. If you qualify to live with a family member, you will not require an MVV, but you will need residence permission.
Your sponsor may apply to the IND immediately. Please note that a short-stay visa may be required to acquire this permit in the Netherlands.
Visa Types For The Netherlands
Short-term visa
If you want to visit the Netherlands for up to 90 days, you will require a Schengen visa for short stays. This is dependent upon your nationality, the visa permits you to travel freely for up to 90 days inside the Netherlands and other Schengen countries during 180 days.
Your visa will be valid for a certain amount of time. This term may be less than ninety days. While your visa is valid, you are permitted to travel between the 27 Schengen states.
Choose the multiple-entry option on your application if you want to leave and re-enter the Schengen region during the 180-day term.
If you have more than one nationality, your passport will dictate whether or not you require a visa.
Airport transit visa
If you are transiting via two separate Schengen airports on route to a non-Schengen country and the first transit airport is in the Netherlands, you must apply for a Schengen visa for short stays. Transit visas for airports are not valid for this purpose.
A transit visa for airports permits you to change aircraft at a Dutch airport en route to a non-Schengen destination. The visa (also known as an ‘A’ visa) does not permit entry into the Netherlands or any other Schengen nation. You cannot exit the airport or its international zone.
Regardless of whether you need an airport transit visa, the airline determines if you are permitted to board the trip. You may still be denied boarding even if you have the required travel documentation.
Caribbean Visa
If you want to visit the Caribbean regions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, you will require a Caribbean visa. This will let you to go to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.
For detailed information on specific parts of the Netherlands visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any detailed information, please contact us via email.
Useful Resources
Schengen Visa Countries
A Schengen visa is required for any third national wishing to enter the Netherlands or any other Schengen country. It could be a short-stay Schengen C-visa for stays of up to 90 days or a national D-visa / residence permit for longer stays in the country.
Netherlands Work Visa
If you want to work during your stay, a work permit will be required.
Foreign nationals who seek to work in the Netherlands are required to fulfil certain criteria. People from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland typically need one of two kinds of work permits: an employment permit (TWV) or a single permit (GVVA), sometimes known as a combined residence and work permit.
Workers having Dutch nationality or the nationality of another country within the EEA or Switzerland may work without a work permit in the Netherlands under specific circumstances.
Track The Status Of Your Application
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive regular email updates throughout the process. Your application will first be reviewed for errors and we will contact you to request any missing information. Once your documentation is processed this will be delivered to you via secure download and you will receive an email with the next steps including your appointment booking options and document checklist.
Once you book an appointment and attend your interview, you should receive a result within 15 working days. Tools are available online to track the status of your application with the relevant visa office once you have submitted in person.