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.

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 If admission is denied, your visa will be withdrawn and you may be returned to your own country.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). E.g. 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:

US residents: list of our Embassy and Consulates across the United States
Other countries: listing of our Embassies and Consulates world wide
DO I NEED A VISA?

To determine if you need a visa to enter the 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.

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

NOTE: As per June 1, 2004, a medical travel insurance is required with a minimum coverage of US$37,500.00. This insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of visit in the Schengen area.

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

One visa application form: download the form in PDF format (73 KB). Please fill out the form on both sides in a legible manner. Please sign the form in the presence of the visa officer.
Passport or official travel document recognized by the Schengen countries, with a validity that exceeds the intended stay of the applicant by at least 3 months. Please make sure that the passport has a blank page to affix the visa.
Original Alien Registration. 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 have to be provided. Students should also submit an original validated I-20 or IAP-66.
2 Recent passport photographs (not older than 12 months).
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. If you are not sure if your visa will be approved, do not buy an airline ticket yet: bring a confirmed airline reservation which can be cancelled.
Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay: 3 recent monthly bank statements and/or signed travelers checks.
Original letter of employment or 3 recent pay stubs. If you are self employed a business license and tax return forms are required.
Proof establishing the purpose of your trip:
when visiting relatives or friends, please submit an official invitation letter issued and certified by 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 (e.g. hotel reservations).
Medical health/travel insurance As per June 1, 2004, a medical health/travel insurance is required with a minimum coverage of US$37,500.00 This insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and for the entire duaration of visit in the Schengen area.
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 Dutch and US currency. 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 in PDF format (73 KB).