| Applying for a visa |
 Where can I apply for a visa? |
| How do I apply for a visa? |
| What conditions must I meet? |
| How long does it take to get a visa? |
| What can I do if my visa application is refused? |
| What does a visa cost? |
| How long is a visa valid for? |
| I want to enter the Netherlands more than once. Can I do so? |
Who decides whether my visa application is accepted? |
| Where can I apply for a visa? You can apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) of a Schengen country, even if you are not a national of the country where the mission is situated. Under the Schengen Agreement, honorary consuls are not authorised to grant visas. You should apply for a visa at a mission belonging to the Schengen country that is the main destination of your journey. If you cannot specify your main destination, you should apply at a mission belonging to the Schengen country you will enter first. In places where the diplomatic mission uses the services of a private company to collect visa applications, it is also always possible to apply for a visa directly at the diplomatic mission. |
| How do I apply for a visa? The first step is to download checklist and make sure that you collected all necessary documents. Than make appointment through Online Appointment System. Complete a visa application form (download the form in pdf). You should then go to the mission, taking the completed and signed application form and one passport photo (also if you are applying for an authorisation for temporary stay). When submitting your application, you must be able to produce a travel document that will be valid for at least three months after your visa expires. |
| What conditions must I meet? The number and type of supporting documents to be enclosed will depend on the circumstances in the country where you are applying and the nature of the visa application.You can obtain more information from the mission where you submit your application or from its website. In some cases you can obtain information about visas in the local language. The visa-issuing authority will establish whether your visit poses a danger to public order, national security or international relations, and whether you have already been refused entry to the Schengen Area. It will also take into account the purpose of your visit in assessing these risks and the risk that you may remain in the country illegally. You should be able to prove that you have enough financial means at your disposal to cover your travel and accommodation expenses. You need to have a travel medical insurance to cover any expenses for repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment. The insurance must: 1. be valid throughout the Schengen territory 2. have a minimum coverage of EUR 30.000 3. cover the entire period of the person's stay. The amount of financial means considered "enough" will depend on the purpose of your visit (you may for instance intend to buy goods), your accommodation (whether you intend to stay in hotels or with friends or relatives), and the duration of your visit. Alternatively, you can give the name of a "guarantor" - a person in the Netherlands willing to guarantee payment of any costs the Dutch state may incur as a result of your visit. The applicant should obtain the travel medical insurance in their state of residence. For more detailed information you can visit the webiste www.ind.nl. Where this is not possible the applicant can obtain the insurance in another country or the host can obtain the insurance for the applicant in his own place of residence. When submitting your visa application, you should also enclose supporting documents relating to your visit (such as reservation of a return flight ), its purpose (such as an invitation), and your ability to pay all your travel and accommodation expenses (such as traveller's cheques, bank statements, and payslips). |
| How long does it take to get a visa? It can take a minimum of a few days up to a maxiumum of two months to process a visa application, depending on whether further investigation is necessary in the Netherlands. In exceptional cases, an investigation will take longer than two months. You should therefore apply for a visa as soon as possible to avoid the disappointment of having to postpone your visit. |
| What can I do if my visa application is refused? If the visa-issuing authority refuses your application, it will send you an official letter containing the decision with an explanation on what/which ground(s). You may object against this decision within four weeks of its date of issue (details of where to send your objection are enclosed in the decision). You may also authorise a person in the Netherlands to object to the decision on your behalf or to represent you at any hearing. This person (usually your "guarantor") must have written authority to do so (in Dutch, French, German, or English) signed by you. The competent authorities in the Netherlands will decide on your objection. If it decides in your favour, it will authorise the mission to issue you a visa. If it decides against you, it will send you a copy of its decision, explaining why it has rejected your objection. You can submit a new visa application if new facts or circumstances arise, however, if you want to do so, you will have to withdraw your objection on forehand in writing. |
| What does a visa cost? When you submit a visa application, you must pay a fee. If your application is refused, the fee will not be refunded but retained to cover the processing costs. The Schengen countries have harmonised visa fees. Visa fees: an airport transit visa: EUR 60; a transit visa valid up to five days: EUR 60; a visa valid for up to thirty days: EUR 60; a single-entry visa valid for up to ninety days: EUR 60; a multiple-entry visa valid for up to ninety days: EUR 60; a multiple-entry visa valid for up to one year: EUR 60; a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years: EUR 60; an authorisation for temporary stay: see website www.ind.nlVisa applicants with the nationality of a country with which the European Union has entered or will enter into a visa facilitation agreement (Albania, Bosnia, Former Yugoslav Republic Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine, Russia and Serbia) will pay EUR 35,-. This fee is for the handling for your visa application. No refund will be given when your visa application will be refused. |
| How long is a visa valid for? Visas are normally issued for the duration you specify on your visa application form, with a maximum of three months (90 days) per six months. The visa-issuing authority wants to see a reservation of a return flight to check the dates on which you will be entering and leaving the country. In the "duration of stay" box on the sticker, you will find the number of days during which you may remain in the Schengen Area. In the "from" box, you will find the date on which your visa becomes valid. You may enter the Schengen Area on that date or afterwards. In the "to" box, you will find the date on which your visa expires. As soon as you enter the Schengen Area, the days in the "duration of stay" box start to count down. You must leave the Schengen Area no later than the day on which you have reached your maximum number of days or on the date stated in the "to" box. |
| I want to enter the Netherlands more than once. Can I do so? A visa can also be valid for "multiple entries". This will be stated on the visa sticker. The holder may enter and leave the Schengen Area an unlimited number of times during the visa's period of validity (see the "from" and "to" boxes), however in total he may not stay longer than the number of days stated in the "duration of stay" box, nor may he stay longer than three months within a six-month period, since this would amount to settling in the Netherlands, for which an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV) is required. |
| Who decides whether my visa application is accepted? Most embassies and consulates may take independent decisions on visa applications. However in the case of certain nationalities, the visa application of these nationalities have to be forwarded to the competent authorities in the Netherlands. A Schengen visa is valid for 15 countries, some of which want to be informed about visa applications bz certain nationalities and/or certain persons. This could be the reason why an application for a visa can take up to two weeks. You should take this into account when applying for a visa. Also the visa-issuing authority can decide to submit your visa application to the competent authorities in the Netherlands for an advice or . |
