Netherlands Visa Requirements are akin to that of most Schengen and EU countries. Even so, there is a lot of difference. After all, we are talking about the land of European Tulips and Windmills.
Because Netherland is a Schengen member country, certain Nationals can enter it visa-free. However, it depends on the duration of their stay and the type of visa they want. For instance, short stays of about 90 days are visa-free for certain countries’ citizens. However, for some others, even that is not visa-free.
So, the first thing to do would be to find out if you are from a country whose nationals can enter Netherland without a visa. If yes, you may not have to read further. On the other hand, if you must obtain a visa to travel to the Netherlands, let’s explore the Netherlands visa requirements, find out what fees you must pay, and the validity of these visas.
What is a Netherlands Visa?
A Netherlands Visa is an authorization issued by the Netherlands government to a foreigner who wants to enter the country. The visa is affixed to a foreigner’s passport in the form of a sticker or a stamp. That is the permission the foreigner needs to enter the Netherlands.
That is, if the visitor is not from a Schengen member country, the EU, or the European Economic Area.
What are the Requirements for a Netherlands Visa?
Here’s a list of documents you must have for application to the Netherlands. However, this list of requirements for a Netherlands visa is not exhaustive as it depends on the visa officers to request any other document in addition to the under listed:
1. A completed Visa Application Form. There is a uniform visa application form for all the Schengen member countries. This serves both short and long stays. In any case, an applicant for a Netherlands visa must indicate the purpose of the visit in the appropriate column. On the one hand, short stays do not exceed a maximum of 90 days in 180 days. Still, on the other hand, extended stays can last from 9 months to 5 years, depending on the purpose of travel.
2. Passport-size photographs. A recent photo of passport size is needed for identification. The photo must be clear and taken with all your facial features visible. It must also be 35×45 mm in size and with a white background. Finally, the photo must not also be older than six months.
3. Your Passport or any other travel document. This must not be more than ten years old, with two blank pages for your visa to be affixed. Also, it must be valid for at least three months after you return to your country of residence.
4. A copy of your Personal Information on your Passport. This can be found on pages 2 and 3 of your passport. Besides, these pages include your picture as well as other details. Some details on your information page are Name, Nationality, Date and Place of birth, passport number, date of issue, and expiry.
5. Copies of old passport pages which contain your personal information.
6. Copies of previous visas with the entry and exit stamps, if any.
7. Proof of Residency. According to the Netherlands visa requirements, you must show that you legally reside in the country you are applying from. For this reason, you can submit a residence permit, visa, or passport as proof. Also, include a copy of the one you want to submit to the Netherlands embassy or consulate.
8. Your Travel Itinerary. This is not an airplane ticket, but it can be a travel reservation made in your name to and from the Netherlands.
9. Proof that you will return to your country of residence. For this purpose, you can present a document proving that you own property in your country of residence. It can also be a letter from your employer showing that you are still in his employ. On the other hand, it can be an employment contract that you cannot execute remotely.
10. Health Insurance. This must be valid in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries. Your insurance cover must be at least €30,000 to cover any medical emergencies during your stay.
11. A Letter from your employer. If you are employed, this letter will give details like your salary, position in the employment, how long your visit to the Netherlands will be, and the reason for your visit.
12. Proof of sufficient finance. This is an integral part of a Netherlands visa requirement. In particular, the applicant must be able to provide €34 for each day in the Netherlands. Specifically, this amount must include meals, transportation, and other little details.
13. If you are employed, you must add the following documents to 1 to 12 above:
13a. Pay stubs of your salary for the past three months
13b. Your letter of employment
13c. Approval of leave of absence from your employer
14. If you work for yourself, you must include:
14a. Your company’s certificate of registration
15. If you are retired, you must include:
15a. Your pension statements for the past three months
15b. Proof of earnings if you own a business or property as a retiree
16. If you have a sponsor, you must provide:
16a, Proof of sponsorship
16b. A cover letter explaining the reason for your visit and how long you will stay
17. If you are applying for a minor, you will need the following documents:
17a. A copy of the minor’s birth certificate
17b. Signatures of both parents on their separate identification documents
17c. Letter of consent signed by both parents
17d. Court statement identifying the particular parent that has custody of the minor
17e. You may include a letter from the minor’s school indicating that they are aware of the intended travel and approve.
Read also: How to complete a Schengen Visa Application Form.
Who is exempt from a visa application?
There is a long list of people who do not need a Netherlands visa, but here are some of them:
- Citizens of the Schengen Member Countries & EU
- Citizens of the European Economic Area
- Foreigners who have a residence permit or long-stay visa from another country in Schengen
- In addition, foreigners with a valid residence permit from Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland, or the UK say that you are a family member of an EU citizen, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Iceland.
- Citizens of Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia do not need a visa for a short stay in the Netherlands if they have a biometric passport
- Taiwanese citizens whose ID card number is not included on their passport. In other words, if their ID number is included on their passport, they must obtain a visa to enter the Netherlands
Who Can Apply For a Netherlands Visa?
A total of one hundred and six countries must obtain a visa to travel to the Netherlands. Here are a few of them:
- Afghanistan
- Gabon
- North Korea
- Madagascar
- Timor-Leste
- Cote D’Ivoire
- Malawi
- Togo
- Cuba
- Maldives
- Tonga
- Dem. Rep. Of Congo
- Mali
- Tunisia
- Djibouti
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Uzbekistan
- Nigeria
- Equatorial
- Guinea
- Namibia
- Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of Netherlands visas?
There are two main types of Netherlands visas: Short-Stay and Long-Stay Visas. Short-stay visas are for people who want to visit the Netherlands for tourism, transit through the country, business, and a visit to the Caribbean part of the country. Also, for Long-Stay Visas, there are visas for work, study, family reunion, seasonal employment, Au Pair, startup, and a special visa called a DAFT visa.
What is the application fee for a Netherlands Visa?
Generally, the application fee for the Netherlands visa is €80. Children aged 6 to 12 years will pay €40, while children under six are not required to pay. However, if you request a visa extension, you will pay €30. People traveling as a group, who want an extension, will pay €1 each. Finally, if you want a change from a single-entry to a multiple-entry visa, the fee is €30.
What is the validity period for Netherlands Visas?
Precisely, short-Stay visas are valid for 90 days out of 180 days. For instance, if you have a visa stamped for the first of January, you can travel any day after that date, but you must leave the Netherlands within 90 days. You can choose to leave and return to the country, but you must do that within the window period of 189 days.
Long-Stay visas are valid for six months to 5 years, depending on the type of visa and the purpose of your visit.
How long does it take for my Netherlands visa application to be processed?
Technically, it takes about 15 working days, sometimes up to 30. However, it depends on the time of year and the number of applications waiting to be processed. Sometimes too, the visa officer may require more documents from you apart from the list of requirements for a Netherlands Visa above, which could extend processing time.
What are the reasons for the rejection of a Netherlands visa application?
There are many reasons why your application for a Netherlands visa can be refused. Some of them fail to provide all the documents on the list of Netherlands visa requirements. Also, it can be incorrect information or insufficient proof of finance. It could also be that the visa officer is not convinced that you will return to your country of residence at the expiration of your visa.
Conclusion
The Netherlands is an excellent place to visit. With this article, you have all the information you need about the requirements for a Netherlands Visa, fees, and validity. The Netherlands has more than 100 embassies and about 300 consulates worldwide. So, find the one closest to you.
