Visa Information
Visa Types
You may submit your visa application at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
Please note: not all travel documents are recognized by the Netherlands. If you apply for a visa with such a non-recognized travel document, your visa application can be declared inadmissible. More detailed information is available on the European Union website.
Select the visa type that is right for you to see important information on visa fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.
Representing other Schengen countries
The 26 Schengen countries have visa representation agreements at the European level. This means that, at some locations, the Netherlands accepts short-stay visa applications for other Schengen countries.
You can submit your short-stay visa application (Schengen visa) to the Visa Application Centre for the Netherlands in New Zealand for the countries below:
Belgium
Finland
Iceland
Luxembourg
Norway
Slovenia
Sweden
If you wish to spend longer than 90 days in one of these countries, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country in question.
Please note: as of 15 December 2019, for Norway an airport transit visa (ATV) is mandatory for nationals of Syria.
Short-stay Schengen visa
If you wish to visit the Netherlands for a short period of time, you must obtain a visa prior to entry if you come from a country with a visa requirement for entering the Netherlands.
A short-stay Schengen visa allows the holder to transit through or remain in Dutch territory and all other Schengen States for a maximum period of three months (90 days) within any period of 180 days.
Visiting more than one Schengen country?
You will have to obtain the Schengen visa from the country where the main purpose of travel lies.
When travelling to more than one Schengen country, submit your application with the country where you will be staying the longest. In case of equally long stays, you have to apply with the Schengen country where you arrive first.
Also travelling to a non-Schengen country?
When also travelling to another country outside the Schengen area (for example in the Caribbean, Croatia, Romania, the United Kingdom and/or the United States), apply for the other visa first, before applying for the Schengen visa.
Select your short-stay Schengen visa:
Tourism
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Overview
This visa is solely for the purpose of leisure travel including vacationing, cruising, sightseeing and other recreational activities. If during any portion of your visit to Netherlands you intend to engage in business, or official duties you must refer to other relevant visa categories.
Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, please check it carefully and inform the staff at the counter if you find an error. Correction of any error discovered after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require new visa registration and payment of new handling fee.
Upon receiving your visa by courier, please check it immediately and call the Visa Application Centre helpline if you find an error.
The validity of your visa indicates the dates between which you should enter AND leave the Schengen.
The length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days indicated on your visa, even if your visa sticker itself has a longer validity. If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
When a visa is valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is 90 days in a 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
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Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a tourist visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Business
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Overview
A business visa is required if during any portion of your visit you intend to conduct business or commercial activities, e.g. meetings, conferences, training.
Such a visa can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by an entity within the Netherlands. If you intend to undertake paid work in the Netherlands you will need to obtain a work permit.
Orange Carpet
Applications for business visa of employees from companies registered with the Netherlands embassy under the Orange Carpet programme can also be submitted at the Visa Application Centre.
Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, please check it carefully and inform the staff at the counter if you find an error. Correction of any error discovered after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require new visa registration and payment of new handling fee.
Upon receiving your visa by courier, please check it immediately and call the Visa Application Centre helpline if you find an error.
The validity of your visa indicates the dates between which you should enter AND leave the Schengen.
The length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days indicated on your visa, even if your visa sticker itself has a longer validity. If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
When a visa is valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is 90 days in a 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
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Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a business visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Visiting Family and Friends
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Overview
If you are travelling to the Netherlands to visit family / friends (including girlfriend/boyfriend), you may apply for this visa.
Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, please check it carefully and inform the staff at the counter if you find an error. Correction of any error discovered after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require new visa registration and payment of new handling fee.
Upon receiving your visa by courier, please check it immediately and call the Visa Application Centre helpline if you find an error.
The validity of your visa indicates the dates between which you should enter AND leave the Schengen.
The length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days indicated on your visa, even if your visa sticker itself has a longer validity. If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
When a visa is valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is 90 days in a 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Airport Transit
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Overview
Nationals of certain countries also need an airport transit visa to change aircraft at an airport in a Schengen country. See the list of countries whose nationals need an airport transit visa.
Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, please check it carefully and inform the staff at the counter if you find an error. Correction of any error discovered after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require new visa registration and payment of new handling fee.
Upon receiving your visa by courier, please check it immediately and call the Visa Application Centre helpline if you find an error.
The validity of your visa indicates the dates between which you should enter AND leave the Schengen.
The length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days indicated on your visa, even if your visa sticker itself has a longer validity. If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
When a visa is valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is 90 days in a 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for an airport transit visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Entry Visa
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Overview
You are a foreign national (i.e. non-Dutch) with a valid long-term residence permit for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Your document was stolen, lost or has expired during your stay abroad and you have to return. In this case you need for an entry visa.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a entry visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Visa facilitation for family members of EU/EEA or Swiss nationals
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Overview
Please note: the following procedure does not apply to family members of Dutch nationals travelling to or living in the Netherlands, unless they have recently worked/lived in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
If you want to travel to the Netherlands with a family member who is an EU, EEA or Swiss national, or visit them there, you can apply for visa facilitation. This usually means you can get your visa faster and free of charge.
Family members are:
- Spouse/partner/common law spouse
- The direct descendants (children) who are under the age of 21 or are dependents, and those of the spouse or partner.
- The dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (e.g. parents) and those of the spouse or partner.
An applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category. Applications for Schengen visas for this purpose are free of charge; service fees are applicable.
Important notice:
This procedure does not apply to family members of Dutch nationals travelling to or living in the Netherlands, unless they have recently worked/lived in another EU/EER country or Switzerland.
Directive 2004/38/EC governs visa facilitation and visa exemptions for family members with a visa-required nationality of EU/EEA or Swiss nationals who are exercising (or have exercised) their right of free movement. They may be entitled to a relaxed (free of charge and accelerated) visa procedure. An EU/EEA or Swiss national is exercising his/her right of free movement if he/she moves to or resides in (or has recently moved to or resided in) a member state their than that of which he/she is a national.
Eligibility
You are eligible if you can prove objectively that all of the following requirements are met:
- You are a family member of an EU/EEA or Swiss national.
(This includes a spouse, registered partner, child who is under 21 or a depending family member);
- you are accompanying the EU/EEA or Swiss national or planning to join him/her;
- this EU/EEA or Swiss national is traveling to or is residing in another member state than that of which he/she is a national.
What else do you need to know?
- If you think you qualify for visa facilitation you will need to prove that you meet all of these criteria when you submit your Schengen visa (type C) application.
- The accelerated procedure means that you need not answer the questions on the Schengen visa application form marked with an asterisk (*), which are numbers 19, 20, 31, 32, 33 and fewer supporting documents are required.
- Family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens must present documents to prove their relationship and fill in fields no 34 and 35 of the visa application form.
- The Schengen visa fee will be waived but you will need to pay the VFS service fee.
Find detailed information about the procedure for verification against EU law on the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website.
Parent(s) of Dutch nationals under 18
If you are the parent of a Dutch national aged under 18, and you want to travel to the Netherlands with your child, you can apply for visa facilitation if you meet the conditions.
On the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) you can find out what conditions you must meet.
Under the tab “Required documents” of this website you will find the checklist with the required documents to be submitted with your application.
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
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Visa Fees
Visa Facilitation for family members of EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
Applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category. Applications for Schengen visas for this purpose are free of charge.
Service fees are applicable.
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Documents Required
Go to the checklist to see which documents you need to submit with your application:
Checklist for a family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.
In case you are a parent of a Dutch national under 18:
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Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
VISA AFTER APPROVED APPEAL
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Overview
If your application for a short stay visa for the Netherlands has been refused, you can object against this decision by sending an objection letter to the IND. If your appeal or objection is successful, your application will be approved.
This visa category is solely for applicants whose appeal or objection has been approved by the IND.
There is no need to schedule an appointment for this category. Applicants can walk in from 3pm -5pm NZ time
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Visa Fees
If your objection has been approved after an appeal, you do not have to pay the official consular visa fee again. However, you will have to pay the VFS service charge.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre
- Applicant shall pay a VFS service charge at the application center NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here Premium Services - vfsglobal.
- All fees are non-refundable.
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Documents Required
- A valid travel document
- The no-objection letter (and a copy) stating that your objection has been successful
Any documents mentioned in the no-objection letter (if applicable). For example, a valid:
- hotel
- flight reservation
- proof of insurance
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Photo and fingerprints
NOT APPLICABLE
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Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for this visa category is 1 week after the issuance date of the no-objection letter. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the | vfsglobal - vfsglobal.
After applying for your visa, your passport will remain at the Dutch embassy while your visa application is being processed.
Partner in long-distance relationship
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Overview
Until further notice, your partner from a country to which an entry ban applies may travel to the Netherlands under certain conditions. Your partner may stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Children under the age of 18 can also travel with your partner.
Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, please check it carefully and inform the staff at the counter if you find an error. Correction of any error discovered after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require new visa registration and payment of new handling fee.
Upon receiving your visa by courier, please check it immediately and call the Visa Application Centre helpline if you find an error.
The validity of your visa indicates the dates between which you should enter AND leave the Schengen.
The length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days indicated on your visa, even if your visa sticker itself has a longer validity. If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
When a visa is valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is 90 days in a 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee and a Covid-19 fee, to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 and a Covid-19 fee of NZD 8.5 inclusive of GST per application will be levied for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Due to COVID regulations the VFS centre is currently only using mandatory courier service to return the passport to the applicant. The costs are to be paid by the applicant.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
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Documents Required
- You must both sign the Declaration of relationship for COVID-19 entry ban exemption form. On it you must indicate when your relationship started. You must also enclose proof of your relationship and time spent together. You decide what proof you send. For example:
- airline tickets
- previously used visas
- copies of passport stamps
- payment details showing that you spent time together somewhere (such as hotel reservations)
- statements by third parties that you are in a relationship (such as a statement from parents or friends)
- photos.
- You must meet the conditions required for a short-stay visa if you are subject to a visa requirement for the Netherlands.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days before your trip.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. It can take up to 45 days to decide on your visa application. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities. For more information please check the website of the European Commission.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre
After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
-
Download Forms
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it out and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide you through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
Long-stay Visa
In case you intend to stay in the Netherlands for a continuous period of longer than 90 days you will need a provisional residence permit (MVV), informally known as a ‘long-stay visa’.
Applying for a provisional residence permit and a residence permit must be done with the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service IND. You apply for a specific purpose of stay, for
example living with a family member, study or work.
It is often your sponsor who applies. This is a person or organization that wants you to come to the Netherlands. For example the family
member you are going to stay with in the Netherlands. Or a school or employer.
If you do not have a sponsor, you apply for the MVV and residence permit yourself. To do this, please contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or in your country of permanent residence.
You must apply at least 3 (three) months before your intended stay in the Netherlands.
When you have received a positive decision on your application, you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect the MVV. Please refer to the ‘alien number’ (V number) in the letter of approval.
For detailed information about the MVV procedure plus the entry conditions for all nationalities, please visit the IND website.
More information on applying for a long-stay visa (MVV) for New Zealand residents.
Dutch Caribbean visa
The Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands consist of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.
Whether you need a Caribbean visa depends on your nationality and the length of your stay.
On the website of the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country you can find out whether you need a visa.
The website also gives more information about travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Select your Caribbean visa:
Short-stay Caribbean visa (90 days or less)
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Overview
If you want to stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for 90 days or less, you may need a short-stay visa. This depends on your nationality. You may also need a short-stay visa if you are transiting through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
What is a short-stay Caribbean visa?
- A short-stay Caribbean visa lets you travel throughout the Dutch Caribbean, i.e. Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.
- A standard short-term Caribbean visa is issued for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is a multiple-entry visa.
- A short-stay Caribbean visa does not permit you to undertake paid work. If you would like to work, you must have a work permit.
- A short-term Caribbean visa is not valid for travel to the European part of the Netherlands or to any other Schengen area country.
Check here for nationalities which do not require a visa.
Making an airport transit through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom
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Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
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Documents Required
Step 1: Complete the application form
Complete the online application form, print it and take it to your appointment.
Step 2: Get all the required documents
Get all the documents required for your application. When filling in the online application form, you will see which documents you need to provide and which requirements they must meet.
For every document submitted, you must provide the original (to show at the counter) and a photocopy (to be attached to the visa file). The documents must have been drawn up in (or translated into) Dutch, English, French or Spanish.
Step 3: Make an appointment online
Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment at your preferred location using the online appointment system.
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Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
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Processing Time
The earliest you can apply is 3 (three) months before you intend to travel. In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
Long-stay Caribbean visa
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Overview
If you wish to stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for longer than 90 days, in most cases you will need a residence permit. If you have applied for one already, please be aware that you may require a visa to collect your residence permit in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in NZD 34 inclusive of GST per application will be charged for applicants applying at the visa application centre.
- Payment can only be made by Credit card or debit card at the Visa Application Centre.
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please note: you can apply for a visa only when you have applied for your residence permit and your application has been approved. For Curaçao, provisional approval is enough.
Step 1: Complete the application form
Complete the online application form, print it and take it to your appointment.
Step 2: Get all the required documents
Get all the documents required for your application. When filling in the online application form, you will see which documents you need to provide and which requirements they must meet.
For every document submitted, you must provide the original (to show at the counter) and a photocopy (to be attached to the visa file). The documents must have been drawn up in (or translated into) Dutch, English, French or Spanish.
Passport
A passport or other travel document containing at least two blank pages. It should be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Documents for children under 18
If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18, you must provide the child’s birth certificate and an identity document for each parent.
Proof of legal residence
You must be able to prove that you are legally resident in the country you are applying from. To do this, you can show your passport, residence permit or a visa.
Photo
You must submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements.
Photocopy of letter from immigration service
Has your residence permit application been approved by the local immigration service? If so, you must submit a photocopy of the letter your sponsor received.
- Aruba: temporary admission document (VTA)
- St Maarten: landing permit
- Curaçao: you do not need to provide a copy of the letter
- Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba: authorisation for temporary stay (MVV-BES)
You should also bring any additional documents listed in the letter.
Step 3: Make an appointment online
Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment at your preferred location using the online appointment system.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
In most cases, you'll be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. Are you applying for a visa between April 2024 and October 2024? During this high season, your visa application may take longer to process.
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact the Visa Application Centre.
Caribbean Carpet Programme
Do you regularly travel to Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius? If so, you may be able to apply for your short-stay visa through the Caribbean Carpet Programme. The programme simplifies the application procedure and your visa will also be valid for longer.
Applying for the Caribbean Carpet Programme
You can find out whether you are eligible for the Caribbean Carpet Programme on the website of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, if so, how to apply. If your application for the Caribbean Carpet Programme is successful, you can apply for your visas at the Visa Application Centre.
Applying for a visa through the Caribbean Carpet Programme
If your application for the Caribbean Carpet Programme was successful, you will receive an -email confirmation. The email will also contain details about how to submit future visa applications to the Visa Application Centre.