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You have decided to visit the Netherlands. Maybee for the gardens filled with versatile types of tulips. It’s impossible to turn my eyes from them. But you might be wondering whether you need a visa or not. If not, why? Are there limits? If yes, what visa to apply for and how to apply for it? Don’t worry. The answer is more clear than you are worried about. A Netherlands visitor visa is for visiting the country for the short term.

By going through the below article, you know whether you need a visa or not, the different visitor visa types, the requirements, and the application process.

Who Needs Netherlands Visitor Visa?

You should answer this question. You and your conditions are the key elements that determine it. Look at your conditions to answer it.

Netherlands Visitor Visa Requirements, Netherlands Visitor Visa Application Process

First, the lengths of your stay. There are two types of visas based on the duration of stay:

  1. Short-stay that is up to 90 days stay
  2. Long-stay, which is longer than 90 days.

When you want to stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days, you need a short-stay visa. The Netherlands visitor visa is for short stays. You need to choose among them the visa that suits your purpose. Once you seek to stay longer than three months, you will need a long-stay visa. The picked visa must fit the nature of your visit as well.

The second key factor is your nationality. A few states and countries do not need a visa for short stays. They can enter the Netherlands with a passport or travel document. Before you apply for a visitor visa, see if you are among these countries or not.

So, determine the lengths of stay and your nationality. If it is a short-term visit, see if you need a visa or not. If it is a long-term visit, apply for the appropriate visa.

Netherlands Visitor Visa Requirements

The requirements for a Netherlands visitor visa are as follows:

  • Application form
  • Passport
  • Photos
  • Cover letter
  • Copy of the previous passport (if have had any)
  • Travel itinerary
  • Evidence or proof that you will leave the Netherlands.
  • Proof to have enough funds
  • Proof of civil status
  • Health insurance
  • A copy of the passport’s information page
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Required supporting documents based on your job status
  • Supporting documents for minors
  • Invitation letter
  • Banks statements (for the latest six months)

The mentioned supporting documents are a standard for the Netherlands visitor visa. Yet, there are more documents. It depends on the visa you apply for and the Dutch embassy. Your particular case is also another factor.

Netherlands Visitor Visa Application Process

The application process for the Netherlands visitor visa is as follows:

1. Ask the crucial question before doing anything

As explained above, you might be exempt from a Netherlands visitor visa. By the Netherlands law, some countries do not need a visa for short-term visits. You could be among them and not know. Before you begin the procedure, ask Do I need a Netherlands visitor visa? If yes, then follow the below steps.

2. Are you eligible

When you know you need a visitor visa, determine the appropriate visa. Also, find out if you are eligible for it or not. Each visa has a set of standards. Discover them and see if you comply with them or not. If not, try to change your conditions. Try to reach the standards to be eligible for the visa.

3. Application form

The application form is the first thing to complete. Get it from the Dutch embassy’s website in your home country. Complete it with care. Then, print, date, and sign it.

3. Supporting documents

Gather all the supporting documents set by the Dutch officials. You can see the list of them in the above section.

4. Meeting with the embassy

Schedule a meeting with the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. Get there in person on the exact date and time. Bring all the requirements, application form, and passport. Submit all of them to the authorities.

Each visa has a cost for processing. Pay it and keep the receipt. The visa officials might ask you to pass an interview. Answer the questions and give true answers.

5. Processing

Wait for processing. The visa processing time depends on various elements. When your visa is ready, the embassy mails it to your address. Officials could refuse your application. If so, they will inform you why. They will return the original form of your documents to your address.

Want to immigrate to the Netherlands as a pilot? Read our article.

Types of Netherlands Visitor Visa

There are a few subcategories for the Netherlands visitor visa. They are for different purposes. Please bear in mind that a visitor visa is for short-term stays. Whatever your purpose is, the length of stay is up to 90 days. Providing that you need to stay longer, choose a long-stay visa.

Tourist visa

When you seek to visit the Netherlands’ tourist attractions, you might need a tourist visa. It allows foreign people to have a legal visit to the country. Yet, not anyone might need it. Some countries do not need a tourist visa for the Netherlands. Their nationals have permission to visit it with a passport. Yet, for up to 90 days. The EU members are some of them. To stay longer, they need a visa. Many more countries have to apply for a tourist visa. Such countries do not have visa waiver agreements with the Netherlands. They can use a tourist visa to visit places, spend time, or see friends and family. It is illegal to work or study under a tourist visa.

Transit visa

When you have to change your flight to one of the Dutch airports, you might need a transit visa. It allows foreign people to catch a flight in the Netherlands. It only has one usage. Even its validity is up to 24 hours. Its holders can only wait in the international zone of the Dutch airport. They have no authorization to leave the Dutch airport, let alone enter the Netherlands. Who needs it? Lots of countries do not need it. Only a few non-EU nationals have to receive a transit visa for the Netherlands.

Business visa

Do you want to take a business trip to the Netherlands? You might require a business visa and not know.

Some people need a business visa to visit the Netherlands for business purposes. It is a matter defined by nationality. Some countries do not need it. But a few more need it. When your nationality needs a Netherland short-stay visa, you need a business visa as well.

The business visa has some limitations. You can not work or study in the Netherlands under it. However, you can travel to other Schengen Area members. But, you can not stay in the Schengen Zone for longer than 90 days.

Cultural Visa

Foreign nationals need a cultural visa to do something in one of the following activities:

  • Sport
  • Religion
  • Cultural
  • Make a film

When what you seek to do is related to one of the above items, you might need a cultural visa. It allows legal permission to complete your task in the Netherlands. Also, you could visit other Schengen countries.

The validity depends on the Dutch authorities’ decision.

Medical Treatment Visa

The Netherlands enjoys a high standard of medical services. People want to use their services. Yet, they might need a visa to do so. The visa for this purpose is Medical Treatment Visa. To apply for a medical visa, you must contact a Dutch hospital and agree to its terms. You should also have enough money to pay for medical expenses.

Visa for the Caribbean

There are a few islands that get called the Caribbean part of the Netherlands. Foreign nationals might need a visa to visit them. It is a matter of your nationality. A visa to visit all of them will suffice. There is no need to have a visa for each one of them.

The Caribbean parts are as follows:

  • Aruba
  • Bonaire
  • Curacao
  • Saba
  • St Eustatius
  • St Maarten

Bear in mind that the Caribbean is a short-term visa. You have permission to stay for three months in 180 days. Also, you can enter and leave the islands as many times as you want.

Let’s sup up…

This article covered whatever you should know about Netherlands visitor visas. The text covered whether you need a visitor visa, different types, requirements, and the application process.

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2 Comments

  1. Kevin says:

    Hello.
    How can I work under a Netherland visitor visa?

    • Support says:

      Hey there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. Unfortunately, under no circumstances will you be allowed to work under a visitor visa.