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Tourist and Business Visa – The Netherlands / Schengen
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How to obtain a Schengen visa for travel to the Netherlands and/or other European countries that are part of the Schengen area


NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Effective December 21, 2023 the processing time for Schengen visa applications for the following nationals will change:

Belarus
Bangladesh
Kazachstan
Nigeria
Tunesia
Vietnam
Yemen

Please be advised that applications must be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance.

The list above is in addition to the list of the Nationals below:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Burundi
China
Colombia
Congo
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Indonesia
Iraq *  
Iran
Jordan
Libanon
Libya
North Korea
Palestinian Authority*
Philippines
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Sudan
Syria
United Arab Emirates
US Refugee and Re-enter Document holders*

* Contact the Consulate or Embassy


THE SCHENGEN VISA: tourist/business short-stay visa (up to 90 days)
On March 26th, 1995, a new type of visa, the Schengen visa, was introduced by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. In 1997, Greece, Austria and Italy joined the list of Schengen visa countries. In 2001 the countries Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland joined as well.

As of December 21, 2023 the following countries joined the Schengen treaty:
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
As of December 12th 2008
Switzerland

A Schengen visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of the above countries allows the holder to travel freely in all of the issuing countries. Be aware that you may still be refused entry at the Netherlands border if you do not meet all other admission requirements. A visa is just ONE of the requirements for admission into the Netherlands. If admission is denied, your visa will be withdrawn and you may be returned to your own country.

With a Schengen visa, a visitor may stay up to a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen area within a 6 months period. If the visitor used up all the 90 days, he/she has to leave the Schengen area and may only reenter after 3 months of being abroad.

Important:
Please note that the duration of stay on the visa will be based upon your airline ticket(s). I.e. if you intend to stay for 1 week, the visa issued will be valid for 1 week.

Intending to stay for more than 90 days? Please click here for more information.

WHERE TO APPLY
The following rules apply, listed by importance, to determine at which office you should apply for the visa:

  1. If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that particular country
  2. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination.
  3. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.
  4. If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country which is your main destination or first point of entry. Please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries you wish to visit. You should then apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the first Schengen country which requires you to have a visa.

Netherlands Embassy and Consulates in the US
You should apply for a visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate office of the Netherlands in your region:

DO I NEED A VISA?
To determine if you need a visa to enter the Netherlands / Schengen area you can contact one of our visa officers, or consult the online visa inquiry form which will answer your visa query.

NOTE: Holders of a US refugee travel document do require a transit visa if the country of origin comes up in the visa inquiry tool.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
All visa applications must be made in person, well in advance at the Embassy or Consulate in whose jurisdiction you reside.

WHEN TO APPLY
Please note that in some cases authorization is required from the competent authorities in the Netherlands or other Schengen countries. In that case your application will have to be sent to the Netherlands. The Alien Police (Vreemdelingendienst) of the Municipality you intend to visit will investigate your application. As this procedure may take considerable time, it is advisable to apply for your visa well in advance. Applications can be submitted a maximum of 3 months before the date of departure.

WHAT TO SUBMIT
Applications must be submitted in person. The following documents should be submitted by each applicant:

  1. Completed visa application form: (0.25mb pdf). This form can be completed and printed online but you have to sign the form in front of the visa officer.
  2. Passport or official travel document recognized by the Schengen countries, with a validity that exceeds the intended stay by at least 3 months. Please make sure that the passport has a blank page to affix the visa.
  3. Original Alien Registration Card (Green Card). If you do not have an alien registration card, a Greencard Stamp in your passport, an Advance Parole, or a valid US Visa together with the valid I-94 departure record must be provided. Students should also submit an original validated I-20, DS-2019 or IAP-66.
  4. One recent passport photograph, full face, which show a clear and exact likeness of the applicant. Photo must be taken against a plain, light background with good contrast, in color or black & white, clear and of good quality, printed on normal photographic paper (without sunglasses or head covering, unless it is on account of religious or medical reasons).
    Children travelling with their parents on their parent’s passport do need their own visa with photo (free of charge). Therefore, applicants should also submit one recent passport size photographs for every child travelling with them. Please make sure that you have enough pages to affix the visa’s for you and your child(ren).
  5. Proof that you can proceed to the next country after you have visited the Schengen countries, i.e. confirmed itinerary / airline reservation or airline ticket and required visa.
    When you bring a confirmed itinerary / airline reservation at the time of your visa application, the actual airline ticket has be shown if your visa has been approved.
    Important: if you are not sure that your visa will be approved, do not buy an airline ticket yet, bring a confirmed airline reservation which can be cancelled.
  6. Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay: 3 recent monthly bank statements and/or signed travelers checks.
  7. Original letter of employment or 3 recent pay stubs. If you are self employed a business license and tax return forms are required.
  8. Proof establishing the purpose of your trip:

    When visiting relatives or friends, please submit an official invitation letter issued and certified by a City Hall in the Netherlands and a copy of the relatives’ or friends’ Dutch passport or valid Dutch residence card. If they are paying for your expenses proof of financial means is required from your reference person in the Netherlands (e.g. salary statements, recent bank statements, etc.).

    For tourism, please submit confirmed hotel reservations, stating name, address and telephone number of the hotel, including confirmation number and/or proof of group travel participation, etc.

    If the purpose of your trip is business, please present a letter of support from the company concerned in the Netherlands, and a letter from your employer stating your position within the company and the reason for your business travel to the Netherlands. Either letter should clarify who is responsible for expenses and where you will be staying (such as an hotel reservations).

  9. Medical health/travel insurance that meets the following criteria:
    • It is valid throughout Schengen territory.
    • It is valid during the entire period that you will be in Schengen territory.
    • The coverage is at least €30.000 (US $45.000).
    • The coverage includes repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care and/or emergency treatment in a hospital.
  10. Cash (exact change please) or money order to pay the visa fee. Personal and business checks and credit cards are NOT accepted. Visa fees vary depending upon the type of visa, duration of stay and the exchange rate between the euro and US dollar. Click this link to find the correct fee. Visa fees are non refundable. If your visa is approved, anyone can collect the visa with the coupon you received at the time of application. It is also possible to have the passport with the approved visa sent to your home or business address – at your own risk – by overnight mail. In this case an additional postal fee will be charged.

    Please note:
    The Consular Department has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

VISA APPLICATION FORM DOWNLOAD
Download the form: (0.25mb pdf). This form can be completed and printed online but you have to sign the form in front of the visa officer.
Visa Application Form

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Constitution Square Building
350 Albert Street, suite 2020, Ottawa, ON K1R 1A4 – CANADA
1-877-DUTCHHELP (1-877-388-2443) (phone)
+1 613 237 6471 (fax)

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