What is a visa?

A visa is an authorisation or decision in the form of a sticker affixed to a passport or other travel document. It means that when the visa was issued no objection existed to the holder entering the Netherlands to stay temporarily or travel on to a third country. But having a visa does not give a person the automatic right of entry. When visa holders enter the country, they have to show that they still meet the conditions for entry.

Who deals with visa applications?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with visa applications for three months or less for persons wishing to visit the Netherlands for such purposes as conducting business, attending a conference or seminar, attending a sporting or cultural event, visiting an international organisation, and conducting diplomatic or political business. It also deals with all visa applications by persons from the former Soviet republics.

The Ministry of Justice Visa Service deals with visa applications for three months or less submitted by the Dutch missions for persons wishing to visit the Netherlands to spend a holiday, visit relatives, perform music, attend a study programme, take up a work experience placement or undergo medical treatment (except in the case of persons from the former Soviet republics). It also deals with applications to stay in the Netherlands for longer than three months (authorisations for temporary stay, or MVVs).

You can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa information Monday to Friday, 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:30. Tel.: +31 70 348 5622. Postal address: Postbus 20061, 2500 EB The Hague.

The Ministry of Justice Visa Service’s information line can be reached via the general information line of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. The line is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Tel. from within the Netherlands: 0900-1234561 (€ 0,10 per minute). Tel. from abroad:+31-20-889 3045 Postal address: Postbus 3109, 2280 GC Rijswijk.