The Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Whether you want to visit Amsterdam or roam the Dutch countryside to see the famous tulips and windmills, this country has all the sights and experiences you could ask for in a trip.
The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen area. This zone consists of 26 countries within the European Union that allow border-free travel between them. However, before visiting this region and the Netherlands, you might first have to apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa. Coming soon, this visa will be available online via iVisa.com to ensure a smooth, stress-free Dutch Schengen visa application process.
In the meantime, check our convenient Visa Checker to find out if you need a visa to visit the Netherlands.
What is the Schengen visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands became a Schengen country in 1985 along with Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Currently, the zone consists of 26 countries. Travelers can roam freely in the entire Schengen area without additional documents if they are eligible to do so.
There are several types of official Schengen visas:
- Type A (Airport Transit Visa): A special visa for people from a select number of countries, which allows them to transfer through a Dutch airport.
- Type C (single entry): This common visa category allows entry into the Schengen zone for up to 90 days. Reasons include family visits, business, or tourism. It can be valid for single entry, double entry, or multiple entry. This is a nonimmigrant visa.
- Type D: The type D Schengen visa is a less common document and acts as a temporary residence permit. It is issued to travelers who want to temporarily work or study in the Netherlands. This temporary residence permit could be valid for a period of up to 12 months.
Who is eligible for the Netherlands visa application?
Persons with a nationality from another Schengen country or from the EU/EEA regions do not need to apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa. They are afforded the right to travel freely among the Schengen states without visas.
Some nations have arranged non-visa travel agreements with the Schengen region, such as the United States. U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen region, including the Netherlands, don’t normally need a visa. A visa is only required if a U.S. citizen plans to stay in the Netherlands longer than 90 days.
Individuals who are nationals of the following countries must apply for a Schengen visa before visiting the Netherlands:
Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Armenia | Azerbaijan |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bahrain | Bangladesh | Belarus | Belize | Benin |
Bhutan | Bolivia | Botswana | Burkina Faso | Burundi |
Cambodia | Cameroon | Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Chad |
China | Comoros | Congo | Côte D’Ivoire | Cuba |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Djibouti | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt |
Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea | Eswatini | Ethiopia | Fiji |
Gabon | Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
Guyana | Haiti | India | Indonesia | Iran |
Iraq | Jamaica | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kenya |
Kosovo | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon |
Lesotho | Liberia | Libya | Madagascar | Malawi |
Maldives | Mali | Mauritania | Mongolia | Morocco |
Mozambique | Myanmar | Namibia | Nepal | Niger |
Nigeria | North Korea | Northern Marianas | Oman | Pakistan |
Papua New Guinea | Palestinian Authority | Philippines | Qatar | Russia |
Rwanda | São Tomé and Príncipe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
Somalia | South Africa | South Sudan | Sri Lanka | Sudan |
Suriname | Syria | Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand |
Timor-Leste | Togo | Tonga | Tunisia | Turkey |
Turkmenistan | Uganda | Uzbekistan | Vanuatu | Vietnam |
Yemen | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
How long can I stay in the Netherlands with a Schengen visa?
The basic Netherlands Schengen visa, called Category C, is valid for 90 days. After 90 days, you must leave the Netherlands and Schengen zone. This visa is intended to allow short visits by tourists and business people, or for a personal visit and other short-term purposes.
What are the Dutch visa requirements?
There are a number of required documents to apply for a Dutch Schengen visa. Once it becomes available online, we will update you on each visa requirement for your application.
Generally, applicants must submit these documents:
- Application form: You will be given a visa form to fill out when it is possible to apply online on iVisa.com. Make sure to fill out all the information requested by the embassy.
- Two passport-sized photos: Applying for a Netherlands Schengen visa requires two photos of yourself from the last three months. If you don’t have one, check out the convenient iVisa.com photo service.
- Valid passport: Upload a scan of a valid passport. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and not expire within three months before leaving for the Netherlands. You must also have a minimum of two blank pages left in your passport for your visa stickers.
- Trip itinerary: Applicants must be able to show you plan to stay less than 90 days. This means you will need to show your trip itinerary. What that usually translates to are records of hotel bookings, copies of flight information, and anything else showing your plans while there.
- Financial statements: Make sure to submit a bank statement proving you have the funds to pay for your entire stay in the Netherlands and Schengen zone. Bank statements showing your monthly income are sufficient.
- Travel medical insurance: Schengen visas require applicants to buy their own medical insurance coverage during their stay. Coverage must be at least €30,000 for emergency medical care.
- Proof of employment/enrollment: Provide proof of your employment by bringing a letter or employment contract from the employer. You can also bring an income tax return or business license if you are self-employed. If you are a student, bring documents such as an enrollment letter proving you are enrolled in the work or school program.
- Birth certificate: If applying for a minor, you must provide their birth certificate and a written consent letter signed by the parents or legal guardians.
Do I need a Schengen Visa if I am just passing through the Netherlands?
Most people don’t need a visa to transit through the country. If you are from one of the countries below, you need to obtain a Schengen visa even just to pass through a Dutch airport. If you have any questions, contact your local Dutch embassy or consulate general.
Travelers from the following nations need a visa to transit through the Netherlands: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
How do I apply for this type of Dutch visa online?
Until recently, applying for a visa has required a visit to the nearest Dutch embassy in person or mailing physical paperwork to your consulate general. iVisa.com, unlike other internet sites, will be making the application convenient, easy, and affordable by moving the entire process online in the near future.
This lets applicants submit their Netherlands visa application and all necessary documents from the comfort of your own home. We will pass them on to your consulate general, helping streamline your visa approval process.
These are the steps for the online form:
- First, read all the information and fill out your details in the visa application form. Then, choose the preferred processing time.
- Second, double-check and verify your information on the visa application and pay the visa fee.
- Third, attach any documents required and click on the submit button to apply for your Schengen tourist visa.
Please read all the info carefully and double-check the spelling. It may be difficult for us to change any mistakes after submitting. Once the online application is submitted and approved, a confirmation of your documents will be sent per email.
What are the costs and processing times for the Dutch Visa?
The application fee for the Netherlands visa must be paid before you can finish your application. Once this visa is available online, iVisa.com will offer three different visa services. Costs vary depending on your needs:
- Standard Processing Time for the budget traveler who has planned their visit to the Netherlands far in advance.
- Rush Processing Time for those who like to have everything done fast and still affordable.
- Super Rush Processing Time for the last-minute traveler who needs their Dutch short stay visa urgently.
Traveling to the Netherlands with children or minors
Traveling through the Schengen region with a minor means they will have to present their own visa. The exception is if the country you are from does not have a visa requirement. The ministry of foreign affairs may require additional documents from parents or legal guardians to prove their relationship with the child.
Request more information about this topic on the site of the Dutch ministry, embassy, or consulate.
COVID-19 requirements to visit the Netherlands
As of March 2022, the Schengen region has lifted its COVID-19 travel restrictions for visitors from the European Union. Travelers from the EU and other Schengen states are not required to provide their vaccination records when arriving in the Netherlands. It is also not necessary for individuals to quarantine or to show a negative result for COVID-19.
Where can I learn more?
Our customer support team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have. If you need help with your Schengen visa application, chat with a representative online or contact us at [email protected].
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