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Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the Netherlands?

Netherlands is in the Schengen area, in which European member states have jointly agreed their common visa rules towards third country nationals. Schengen area refers to the free travel area established by most EU member states in which freedom of movement is granted.

Netherlands Visa Types

There are different visa types including single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry and airport transit visas that enable holders to enter the Netherlands for stays up to 90 days in periods of 180 days. Single-entry visa grants one-time entrance whereas double-entry visa holders may travel twice in designated times. On the other hand, multiple-entry visa allows for consecutive visits not exceeding the time constraints.

What is Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa allows its holder to move freely within the Schengen area for a short period.  The Schengen area comprises of 26 European countries, namely the Schengen States, among which border controls are abolished. Therefore, passengers who wish to travel in the Schengen area either for business-related or touristic visits are obliged to obtain Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. The complete list of Schengen States include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Netherlands Schengen Visa (Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits)

Netherlands Schengen Visa Types:

• Netherlands Airport Transit Visa: is required if the passenger will make a stopover in one of the Dutch airports. However, it does not entail entrance to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries and is valid only for the international zones of the airport to change planes. Your nationality is among the determinants of transit visa requirements. You can check whether you will need it
• Netherlands Business Visa: is required for those who would like to visit the Netherlands with the purpose of doing business in the Schengen area, which is valid for stays up to 90 days. “Orange Carpet Visa Facility” mechanism allows for regular travels of business staff to the Netherlands under certain conditions.
• Netherlands Tourist Visa: is granted to third country citizens who seek to visit the Netherlands or other Schengen states for entertainment purposes over a period not exceeding 90 days.
• Netherlands Visitor Visa: is required for the third country citizens who would like to travel to the Netherlands or the Schengen area in order to visit family members, relatives or friends with the support of an invitation letter. Visitor visa is valid for up to 90 days within 6 months.
• Netherlands Cultural Visa: is obtained for short term cultural visits such as attending cultural, sports or religious events for stays up to 90 days within 6 months.
• Netherlands Medical Treatment Visa: enables the holder to receive medical treatment for healthcare reasons in the Netherlands for stays up to 90 days.

Netherlands Category D visa- For Long Stay Visits

Netherlands National Visa Types:

• Netherlands Student Visa: are granted to third country citizens who seek to stay in the Netherlands for study purposes. Admission to a study program is among the prerequisites for applying a long-term student visa. Holders of this type of visa are entitled to apply for residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days.
• Netherlands Employment Visa: is granted to non-EU citizens who fulfill the specific conditions and are found eligible to work in the Netherlands. An employment contract or a binding offer by nature is essential for such kind of visa applications. Also referred as Highly Skilled Immigration Visa, it can be applied by your employer which will eventually guarantee residence and work permit.

You can discover online more on the long-stay visa (MVV) conditions.

• Netherlands Job Seeker Visa: Graduates of a Dutch high education institutes can apply for a job seeking visa within the framework of orientation year that lasts one year. The orientation visa can be applied for following three years after graduation. It enables the holder to work part-time, full-time and as an entrepreneur or freelancer. A start-up visa may be issued for expat entrepreneurs wishing to start their own businesses in the Netherlands if certain conditions are met.
• Netherlands Family Reunion Visa: is the type of visa that can be obtained by family members of Dutch residents who wish to travel to the Netherlands to visit relatives.
• Netherlands Researcher Visa: refers to guest scientist or visiting scholar visas granted to non-EU citizens who wish to engage in research activities in an established research institution for a designated time.
• Netherlands Freelancer Visa: is granted to third country nationals who seek to go to the Netherlands and work as a freelancer. Portfolio including previous works, professional authorization, evidence of a freelance plan and letters of commitments from future customers are among the key documents to apply for a freelancer visa.
• Netherlands Language Course Visa: is an educational visa given to non-EU citizens who intend to enroll in a language course for a period of 3-12 months. Confirmed registration to the course along with other documents is required to obtain this type of visa.
• Netherlands Student Internship Visa: are requested from third country citizens who would like to do an internship in the Netherlands. Therefore, an approval letter from your prospective employer and permission to work are among the documents to attach to your application file. If you would like to remain in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need a residence permit.
• Netherlands Partnership Visa: spouse or registered partner of a Dutch citizen holding his/her own country’s passport which does not have any bilateral visa free agreements with the Netherlands are entitled to apply for an entry visa of such kind. However, to stay and live in the Netherlands requires a residence permit.
• Netherlands Work Permit Visa: shall be obtained by people who are eligible to work in Netherlands.
• Netherlands Relative Visa: relatives of a Dutch citizen may apply for an entry visa if they do not obtain EU/Schengen passport, residence permit or the passport of a country which has visa bilateral free agreements with the Netherlands.

General Requirements to Apply for the Netherlands Visa

Detailed explanations on the Netherland’s tourist visa requirements under certain categories can be reached below. In general, applicants must submit their applications comprising of the requested documents to the Diplomatic Mission or authorized visa application centers in due time. The full list of essential documents can change depending on the category of your visa. Therefore, make sure to consult the Dutch diplomatic mission in your country.

Netherlands Visa Applications

1. A passport with at minimum two blank pages and is valid for at least 90 days after the end of travel. Copy of the first page including personal data and previous Schengen visas if obtained.
2. Completed and signed visa application form along with one color biometric photo that is not older than 6 months.
3. Proof of travel with confirmed both-way tickets.
4. Bank account details proving that the passenger can sufficiently fund his/her travel.
5. Evidence of occupation in the form of certified documents through employer letter, student certificate, document of registration or demonstration of pension funds.
6. Accommodation details through an invitation letter or proof of your hotel reservation throughout your stay.
7. Documentation of travel health insurance that will cover up to 30.000 euros throughout the period of travel and is valid within the entire Schengen area.

There are specific documents to attach to your application dossier depending on your status of employment.

Employed:

• Employment contract (original certificate of employment indicating the position in the company and the salary)
• Bank account statement of the past 6 months
• Approval letter of leave from employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

Self-employed:

• Proof of business license (company registration)
• Company’s bank account statement of the past 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

Student:

• Documentation of University enrollment
• No-objection certificate from school management

Retired:

• Pension statement documenting the past 6 months

Unemployed:

• Proof of financial resources is nevertheless required
• If the person is not able to finance his/her own expenses, proof of a sponsor is mandatory.

What is Visa Sponsorship for Netherlands?

Students or unemployed/retired people who are not in a position to cover their own travel expenses will need to demonstrate support from a sponsor who will borne the full costs. Travelers should prove sufficient financial resources demonstrating 55 euros per day for short term stays up to maximum of 90 days. Otherwise, your sponsor will have to prove that through meeting certain requirements such as filling out the sponsorship form and submitting the requested documents. Moreover, only first grade relatives can fulfill this position. You can check our website for all the relevant details.

Netherlands Visa Rules

• A minimum of 55 euros per day as of 1 April 2020 is asked for proof of the sufficient financial assets in order cover the full travel expenses.
• Your passport must have at least two blank pages left, and it shouldn’t be older than 10 years.
• Kingdom of Netherlands has overseas territories in the Caribbean, hence a visit to those parts require a peculiar Caribbean visa, which will enable you to travel to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.

Netherlands Visa Requirements

In addition to above mentioned application documents, general requirements include:

Netherlands visa requirements for Non-Europeans

• The general requirements for non-Europeans wishing to enter the EU conform to above mentioned procedures. In case of an invitation supporting the document, contact details of the host organization or private host such as name, address, relation to the guest, purpose and length of visit shall be included to the application.
• Non-EU nationals who are not obliged to have an entry visa for visits to the Netherlands will nonetheless be required to ask for prior authorisation to travel to the Schengen area as of 2021. The authorization can be processed online through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Netherlands visa for European countries

Citizens of European countries can benefit from visa-free travel opportunities within the borders of the European Union.

Netherlands Visa Requirement for US, UK, and Canadian Citizens

• US citizens holding US passports valid for at least 3 months from intended return date from Finland are not obliged to obtain a visa for tourist or business purposes as well as airport transits for stays up to 90 days.
• UK is not included in the Schengen area. Moreover, the UK citizens won’t have the right to freedom of movement in the European Union since the UK officially leaves the EU as of 31 January 2020. The details will be formalized following a possible post-Brexit transition period.
• Canadian citizens are not obliged to get a visa to travel to Schengen countries for stays up to 90 days within a period of 180 days.

Netherlands Visa Fees

You can find below fixed fees for different types of visas determined as of March 2020. In general, the visa fees include consultation, submission and processing of your application yet conditions some applicants may be exempt from visa fees or benefit from reduced prices. The visa fee is non-refundable, thus in the case of rejection of your application reimbursements are not available.

NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visa applications for your destination country may not have started yet. Please consult the relevant official authorities for up-to-date information.

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The Netherlands Visa

You can below find key information on different types of visas and detailed visa application processes to visit the Netherlands. Do not forget to buy your “Netherlands Flight Ticket” as the first step of your application process.