Netherlands Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Indian and Filipino passport holders need a Schengen visa (Type C) for the Netherlands, allowing stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Some other nationalities can enter the Netherlands visa-free under bilateral agreements. A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
the Netherlands visa at a glance
- Government fee
- EUR 90 per adult / EUR 45 per child 6–12 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 15 calendar days (up to 45 calendar days)
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Visa types
- 3
Do you need a visa for the Netherlands?
Check the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) visa-exemption list for your nationality before traveling. If your nationality is not on the visa-exemption list, you need a Schengen visa.
the Netherlands visa types
- Schengen visa (Type C)
- Tourism, business, family visits — Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Visa-free entry
- Short stays under bilateral agreement — Up to 90 days
- Transit visa
- Passing through Netherlands to a third country — Per the transit rules
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for Netherlands depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter the Netherlands visa-free for short stays under bilateral agreements — typically up to 90 days.
Visa-required nationalities need a Schengen visa (Type C) for tourism, business, or family visits.
Documents required for a the Netherlands visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportSchengen visa (Type C) · 6+ months validity after departure, 2+ blank pages.
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application formSchengen visa (Type C) · Completed and signed Schengen visa application form.
- Recent passport photo (35×45 mm, white background)Schengen visa (Type C) · Recent passport photo (35×45 mm, white background).
- Proof of travel medical insuranceSchengen visa (Type C) · minimum EUR 30,000 coverage.
- Proof of travel itinerary (flight reservationSchengen visa (Type C) · not a purchased ticket).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)Schengen visa (Type C) · Proof of accommodation (hotel booking).
- Proof of financial means (bank statements or employment letter)Schengen visa (Type C) · Proof of financial means (bank statements or employment letter).
- Return ticketSchengen visa (Type C) · Return ticket.
- Valid passportTransit visa · 6+ months validity.
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country within the allowed transit windowTransit visa · Confirmed onward ticket to a third country within the allowed transit window.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the transit periodTransit visa · Proof of sufficient funds for the transit period.
- Valid passportVisa-free entry · 6+ months validity.
- Return or onward ticketVisa-free entry · Return or onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodationVisa-free entry · Proof of accommodation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stayVisa-free entry · Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
the Netherlands visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- EUR 90 per adult / EUR 45 per child 6–12 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official processing
- 15 calendar days (up to 45 calendar days)
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a the Netherlands visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the IND visa-exemption list for your nationality. If you're exempt, you don't need this process.
Confirm Netherlands is your main Schengen destination
Apply at the Netherlands consulate only if it's your sole or main Schengen destination.
Get the current form and checklist from the IND or VFS Global for your country of residence. Requirements differ by country
use their list, not a generic one.
Gather your documents
see the checklist in Required documents for a Netherlands visa above (passport, form, photo, insurance, itinerary, accommodation, proof of funds).
Book an appointment at VFS Global and submit your application and biometrics
Pay the government visa fee.
Wait for processing
the official ETA is 15 calendar days, extendable to 45. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Don't book non-refundable flights until approved.
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Netherlands' requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the embassy portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into the Netherlands is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or exemption stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A tourist visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a tourist visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a the Netherlands visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
the Netherlands visa questions, answered.
More for your the Netherlands trip
How we reviewed this page
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.