Dutch visa resources
Appointments and biometrics for a Netherlands visa application
You book an appointment at a Dutch embassy or consulate via netherlandsworldwide.nl, where staff register the application and record your signature and fingerprints.
Important
For a national long-stay application from abroad you must first make an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of origin or country of continuous residence (where you may stay for more than three months). Appointments are booked through the Dutch government's worldwide-missions service at netherlandsworldwide.nl.
At the appointment an embassy or consulate official registers your application and records the submission date, and takes your biometric data — your signature and fingerprints. After the appointment you send your own application and documents to the IND in the Netherlands and pay the fee, both within three weeks of the recorded date.
Booking and attending the appointment
- Book via netherlandsworldwide.nl at your designated Dutch embassy or consulate
- If there is no mission locally, use the nearest Dutch diplomatic mission
- Bring the completed application form, valid passport and passport photo
- Children under 12 must attend with a parent or legal guardian with parental authority
Biometrics
- The embassy/consulate records your signature and fingerprints at the appointment
- Biometrics are used to produce the residence document
- After the appointment, send the application to the IND and pay within three weeks
MVV-exempt applicants
- If your nationality is MVV-exempt, you may apply for the residence permit differently (often via the sponsor in the Netherlands)
- Biometrics can then be given at an IND desk in the Netherlands
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.