A visitor who wants to visit the Netherlands (Holland) for the purpose of tourism and sightseeing may require a visa depending on his or her nationality. Such a visa is known as ‘Schengen visa’. It is also known as short stay visa (VKV) or ‘type C’ visa. It is valid for up to 90 days.
Since the Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Agreement, it follows the common visa rules applicable to all Schengen countries. In other words, the Schengen visa is valid for all the European states that are part of the Schengen agreement, including the Netherlands. This means that a visitor who is issued the Schengen visa can travel and stay not only in the Netherlands, but in all the 26 countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement.
If a visitor wants to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, he or she will have to apply for a national long-stay visa or a residence permit.
Eligibility criteria for the Netherlands tourist visa
To be eligible for the Netherlands tourist visa or VKV visa you must fulfil the following conditions:
- You must have a valid passport with at least two blank pages to affix the visa
- Your passport must have a validity that extends the duration of the visa you are applying for by at least 6 months
- You passport must have been issued within the last ten years
- You must have a copy of the completed visa application form
- You must provide a covering letter introducing yourself and explaining the purpose and duration of the visit and the itinerary for the corresponding period in brief
- You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself monetarily during your entire period of study in the Netherlands and for your return transportation. The Dutch Ministry of Justice requires you to have a minimum of EUR 34 (INR 2,414.92)* per day for staying in the Netherlands.
- You must provide a recent statement of your financial situation from your bank or your salary slip for the last three months
- You must provide proof of confirmed hotel reservation and flight tickets
- You must provide proof of having obtained travel insurance and medical insurance policy, including medical emergency evacuation cover corresponding with the period of your stay
- You must be in good physical and mental health and free from any kind of contagious diseases
- You must not have been refused entry into the Netherlands previously
- You intend to leave the Netherlands at the end of your authorized stay
* The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change
Steps to follow to apply for the Netherlands tourist visa
You have to apply at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in your country for the Netherlands tourist visa. Before you apply for the visa check the time required for it to be issued. Once you are aware of all the details regarding the visa application, you can go ahead with the following procedure:
Step 1: Get the tourist visa application form
Your first step is to obtain the Visa Application Form. You can access the application form through the internet and download it.
Step 2: Fill up the visa application form
Fill in the details required in the visa application form carefully and put your signature on the completed application form.
Step 3: Gather the required documents for tourist visa application
For submission of the visa application at a Dutch Embassy or Consulate you must make a check list of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
Step 4: Provide photograph for your visa application
Provide two copies of your recent colour photograph along with your visa application. Make sure that your photograph matches or corresponds to all the photo specifications required for visa application. In any case, your photograph must not be more than 6 months old.
Step 5: Check the visa application fee
Check the fees required for processing your visa application. Keep the fee ready for submission along with your visa application form.
Step 6: Schedule an appointment to submit the visa application form
Schedule an appointment at your selected Dutch Consulate to submit your visa application form. Note that you will have to submit your application form personally along with all the required documents.
Step 7: Submit your application form
Submit your visa application form along with the required documents and application fees at the Dutch Consulate. You can either pay in cash or use a credit card or a debit card to pay for the visa application fee. Generally an interview is not compulsory. However, if an interview is required, you will be notified when you submit your application or through a phone call.
Step 8: Collect your visa
You can collect your visa directly from the Dutch Embassy or can have it delivered to you through courier service.
Required Fees for the Netherlands tourist visa
Fees for the Netherlands tourist visa for visitors above 12 years of age – EUR 60 (INR 4,261.63)
Fees for the Netherlands tourist visa for children between 6 to 12 years of age – EUR 35 (INR 2,485.95)
Note:
- Your application fee will not be refunded if your application for a tourist visa is refused or rejected for any reason
- The reduced visa application rate is also applicable to adult visa applicants from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine
- The visa application fee is exempted for children under 6 years of age
- The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change.
- The visa application fee is subject to change at any time
Extension of the Netherlands tourist visa
In case you want to stay longer in the Netherlands than the duration granted in your visa, you will have to apply for an extension. The extension of your tourist visa will depend upon the fulfilment of the following conditions:
- Your stay must not exceed 90 days in total.
- You must give satisfactory reasons for wanting to extend your visa, and you must present documents showing that you cannot return to your country of origin before your visa period ends.
- You must have enough money to support yourself as long as you remain in the Netherlands; or you must have someone in the Netherlands who can stand surety on your behalf.
- You must remain covered by healthcare and/or travel insurance.
- Your passport must be valid for at least a further six months.
- There must be no indications that you have other reasons for extending your visa, such as the intention to settle illegally in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands tourist visa exemption
The Netherlands exempts the citizens of several countries (including all countries under European Union) from obtaining a tourist visa to visit the country for a period of up to 90 days. The following is the list of the visa-exempted countries for the Netherlands:
| Andorra | Argentina | Austria |
| Australia | Belgium | Bolivia |
| Brazil | Brunei | Bulgaria |
| Canada | Chile | Costa Rica |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | El Salvador | Estonia |
| Finland | France | Germany |
| Greece | Guatemala | Honduras |
| Hungary | Hong Kong | Iceland |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy |
| Japan | Latvia | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malaysia |
| Malta | Mexico | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Nicaragua | Norway |
| Panama | Paraguay | Poland |
| Portugal | Romania | San Marino |
| Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | United Kingdom | United States of America |
| Uruguay | Vatican City | Venezuela |
Dos and Don’ts for the Netherlands tourist visa
You must remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for Netherlands tourist visa
Dos
- Apply for a tourist visa at least a few weeks in advance of your planned travel date so that there is enough time for the application procedure to be completed on time
- Fill up your application form carefully with all accurate details
- Bring original copies and photocopies of all supporting documents when you come to submit your visa application form at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate
Don’ts
- Do not present false documents for your tourist visa
- Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application
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