How to apply for Netherlands Tourist Visa?

Please note being exempt from Netherland’s short-stay visa does not mean being exempt from Netherland’s long-stay visa. If you need to stay longer than 90 days in this country, then you have to apply for a different type of Netherland visa. The Netherlands Tourist Visa only allows you to stay in the country for 90 days in a six months period.

If your nationality DOES NEED a Netherlands short-stay Visa, then you need a Netherlands Tourist Visa. Please note if you need a short-stay visa, you must apply for a Netherlands tourist visa. Your nationality does not matter.

The requirements for a Netherlands tourist visa

Once you know you need a Netherlands Tourist Visa, you must collect all requirements to apply for it. The required documents for a Netherlands Tourist Visa are as follows:

Netherlands Tourist Visa application form. You must complete it with the appropriate information according to your documents. You can download it from the Netherlands embassy or consulate website in your home country. You should also mention your phone number and email address in the application form. The Dutch embassy or consulate will contact you through them.

Photo. Two photos of you are needed to get recognized. They must get taken in the past three months with a clear background.

Passport. It must be valid for three months over the date you will return from the Netherlands. It mustn’t be older than ten years ago either. At least it must have two blank pages in it too. If you have had other passports, you should provide a copy of their personal details page. Your photos must not scan from, stapled, or used in the previous visa.

Proof of accommodation. This document proves where you will stay in the Netherlands. It could be a:

• Hotel reservation
• Rental agreement
• Document proving you will stay with your host.

Travel itinerary. It is a travel reservation under your name to the Netherlands.

Proof you will go back to your home country. You must prove to the Dutch officials that you will go back to your home country once you have finished your visit. You must do it through a legal document. It could be:

• A document that proves your children or you are attending school in your country.
•  An employment contract.
• A document that proves your property in your country.
• A declaration from your employer.

Health insurance. The Dutch government (all Schengen states) cares about health a lot. You have to buy health insurance to cover your medical expenses in the Netherlands and all Schengen countries. It must cover your expenses of 30.000 EUR.

Evidence to have enough funds. You must state that you have enough money to cover your expenses in the Netherlands. Bank statements for the past six months will suffice. If your host covers your expenses, he/she must state the financial documents.

Cover letter. You state your name, designation, passport number, the purpose of your trip, and duration to the Dutch government.

If you will be visiting your friends or relatives:

• Invitation letter from him/her
• Inviter’s ID passport or PR
• Proof of Address like any Electricity bill, any Utility bill, etc.

If someone else will sponsor your trip to the Netherlands:

• Sponsorship letter.
• A copy of the residence permit
• Sponsor’s national ID proof like Passport, PAN Card, or Resident permit.
• Updated bank statements for the last three months.
• The past month’s Income tax returns.

The requirements for minors:

• The passport photocopy of both parents.
• Written formal permission leave signed by both parents.
• If one of the parents is dead or divorced, a death certificate or permission leave.

Learn how to immigrate to the Netherlands as a pilot by reading our article.

Required Documents based on employment status:

If employed

• Contract of employment
• Bank statement for the past six months
• Permission leave from your employer.
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If self-employed

• A copy of your business registration/business license
• Bank statements of your company for the past six months.
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If student

• Proof of enrolment
• A no-objection letter from your school, university, or educational academy
• Advertisements

If retired

• Bank statements from the last six months

What is the application process for a Netherlands tourist visa

The process you have to go through to get a Netherlands tourist visa is as follows:

Step 1. Figure out if you need a visa or not

As we explained above, you should find out whether you need a visa or not. If your nationality needs a short-stay visa for Netherland, then you have to get one. If you are staying longer than 90 days, then you have to apply for a visa.

Step 2. Complete the application form

You should download the Netherland tourist visa application form from the Dutch embassy or consulate you apply at. Then, you should complete, print, sign, and date it. Keep it until you deliver it to the Dutch officials during your appointment.

Step 3. Gathering Requirements.

You have to collect all the required documents from the Dutch embassy or consulate, as we explained above. Please note that the Furth authorities can ask for more documents, and you have to obey.

Step 4. Schedule an appointment

Once you gathered all the requirements, book an appointment to:

• The Dutch consulate/embassy in your home country
• A visa center authorized by the Dutch government
• The Dutch embassy, consulate, or a visa center in a neighboring country

Step 5. Attend appointment

When the time for the appointment comes, you should attend it in person. Wear conventional clothes (a bit formal would be better) and don’t be late. Submit all the requirements along with the application form. Then pay the fee for visa processing. It is 80 EUR. Now you have to go through an interview. Please note that the fate of your visa depends on this interview. The Dutch visa officer will ask you a few questions about your history, resume, and the purpose of your visit to the Netherlands. Be friendly, strong, and give honest answers.

Step 6. Wait for the processing

Now you have to wait until your application gets processed. It often takes two weeks for a Netherland tourist visa to get processed. If your application gets accepted, the Dutch officials will send it to your address. If it gets denied, they will send you a letter explaining the reason.

Netherlands tourist visa validity

The Netherlands Tourist Visa is valid for only 90 days in six months. Yet, the times you can enter the Netherlands depends on the type of visa; the authorities grant you:

Single-entry. You may only enter the Netherlands one time for six months.

Double-entry, you have the right to enter the Netherlands two times.

Multiple-entry. You can enter the Netherlands as many times as you want for six months.

The type of entry visa you will receive depends on the Dutch decision and your case.

How long does it take to get a Netherlands tourist visa?

It often takes about two weeks for a Netherlands Tourist Visa to get processed. Yet, depending on the Dutch embassy workload or political circumstances, it might take up to 30 or even 60 days.

Can you extend a Netherlands tourist visa?

You CAN NOT EXTEND a Netherlands Tourist Visa. It is only valid for 90 days. YET, in some special emergency or humanitarian cases, you can extend it. Please note that you must have a compelling reason to convince the Dutch authorities and stay in the Netherlands.

Can you apply for a Permanent Residence with a Netherlands tourist visa?

You have no right to apply for a Permanent Residence with a Netherland tourist visa. This visa only allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days for tourism and visiting purposes.

Do you have to buy Health Insurance for a Netherlands tourist visa?

YES. You have to buy health insurance valid for the Netherlands and all Schengen states. It must cover your medical expenses for 30.000 EUR.

Can you work in Switzerland on a tourist visa?

NOT AT ALL. You have no right to get a paid job in the Netherlands under a tourist visa. Please note that violating EU or Schengen rules will have heavy consequences.

f you need to work in Switzerland, you can apply for a work visa.

Netherland tourist visa costs

The cost for a Netherland tourist visa is 80 EUR. The cost for 6-12 children is 40 EUR and under six children are free.

Netherlands Tourist Visa Interview Questions

During your visa appointment, the Dutch visa officer will ask you a few questions about your history and the purpose of your visit. They might include:

1. The place you live
2. Family
3. Background
4. Previous studies
5. Marital status
6. Does anyone will travel with you
7. Financial means
8. scholarship or sponsorship
9. The reason you have chosen Sweden, university, or course
10. Insurance
11. The plans for further studies
12. will you return to your home country after your studies
13. Your plans after finishing your studies
14. Your hobbies.
15. Your children, etc.

Let’s sum up…

In this blog, we explained all about the Netherlands tourist visa.

The people who need and don’t need it, requirements, the application process, validity, fees, FAQs, got covered.

You can find all the Netherlands visa information in the world here. To find out more about the visa that suits you, go through the menu of the site. You can find all types of Netherlands visas on the left sidebar Including Netherlands business visas, Medical visas, etc.

You can check the visa Library to find more information about other countries’ visas.

In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences as comments is a great help for applicants.