Netherlands' visa requirements: Explained

Whether you’re visiting for a short trip, studying, working, or joining family, knowing the exact Dutch visa requirements helps you avoid delays, rejections, and unnecessary stress.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• The different types of Dutch visas and when you need them
• The standard documents every application requires
• Extra paperwork for specific circumstances
• How long-stay (MVV) visas work
• And our tips for avoiding common mistakes

By the end, you’ll know exactly what documents to prepare, how to prepare them, and have the confidence to successfully apply for a Dutch visa the first time around.

Who needs a visa?

If you’re planning a trip or a move to the Netherlands, the first thing to figure out is whether you need a visa at all.

The rules vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay.

If you’re a citizen of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, you can enter the Netherlands freely without a visa or residence permit, even for long stays.

For most other countries, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

The Netherlands has two types of visa:

• Short Stay Schengen visa: These are for anyone travelling to the Netherlands (or anywhere else in the Schengen are, for 90 days or less (with a 180-day period).
• National long-stay visa: You’ll need one of these if you’re travelling long-term for work, study, or family reunification. They often require sponsorship from an employer, school, or family member.

For short stays, some countries, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan, have agreements that allow their citizens to visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can find the full list of visa-free Schengen countries on the European Union’s website.

Required documents for a Dutch visa

No matter which visa you’re applying for, there are certain documents that you’ll likely be required to provide.

These include:

• A completed visa application form: These can be downloaded from your local Dutch embassy or consulate website. Some allow online submission, while others still require paper copies.
• A valid passport: Must be issued within the past 10 years, and be valid 3 months beyond your planned departure.
• Biometric photos: 35x45cm, against a plain light background, with a neutral facial expression.
• Proof of accommodation: Hotel bookings, rental contracts, or a notarized invitation from a host in the Netherlands.
• Travel itinerary: You don’t usually need to buy flight tickets before applying. A reservation showing your planned entry and exit is often enough. This protects you in case your visa is refused.
• Visa-compliant health insurance: Must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses, including emergency expatiation, across the entire Schengen area. Technically, this is optional, as you'll need to sign up for the Dutch healthcare system as soon as you arrive, but we've seen a higher visa application success rate for our clients in the Netherlands if they have this.
• Proof of financial means: Bank statements, pay slips, or a formal sponsorship declaration. You’ll usually need to prove that you can support yourself at €55 per day.

For the most up-to-date information, the Dutch government provides official checklists through the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and local embassies.

Requirements also change over time, so it’s worth checking the most recent updates before you apply.

Since specifics do differ slightly depending on where you apply, it’s always a good idea to check beforehand with your local Dutch embassy or consulate.

Additional documents

Beyond the standard checklist, you might be asked for additional documentation depending on the reason you’re coming to the Netherlands.

The IND and embassies use these documents to confirm that your plans are genuine and that you meet the conditions for your visa type.

Here are some instances where you may need to provide additional documents:

• Visiting family/friends: An invitation letter will be required. Your host may also need to submit a sponsor declaration (garantstelling) showing that they’ll cover your expenses if needed
• Joining family: You’ll need to provide legal proof of family ties, like marriage or birth certificates. Most of these must be legalized or carry an apostille stamp, depending on your country.
• Employed: Employees must usually provide an employer’s approval letter confirming their trip dates and job security.
• Self-Employed: Self-employed applicants may need to provide tax filings, registration documents, or proof of financial stability. These help prove you’ll return home and can support yourself.
• Students: You’ll need to show proof of admission from a Dutch school or research institute, along with financial information showing how you’ll fund your stay.
• Au pairs: Au pair arrangements must go through an IND-recognized agency. Contracts outside of this system aren’t accepted.
• Retirees: You’ll need to show proof of long-term financial security. This could be pension statements, proof of savings, or other evidence that you can sustainably support yourself.

If you’re moving to the Netherlands for work or study, you’ll also need coverage that goes beyond short-term travel.

Exploring short-term expat insurance might be worthwhile if you’re waiting to be accepted into the public system

Learn more about health insurance in the Netherlands

Additional documents for minors

When children apply for a visa to the Netherlands, embassies apply extra checks to protect them.

Authorities want to make sure both parents or legal guardians agree to the trip and that the child isn’t at risk of abduction.

Here’s what’s usually required:

• A signed parental consent form confirming the child has permission to travel.
• A copy of the parents’ or guardians’ passports or ID cards to verify signatures.
• The child’s birth certificate establishes the legal relationship.

In dual custody situations, both parents must give consent. If one parent cannot be present, their consent often needs to be notarized.

If only one parent has custody, official proof (a court decision or custody certificate) must be submitted.

Some countries may also require the consent documents to be legalized or carry an apostille.

Because rules can differ, it’s always best to check the Dutch embassy’s checklist for minors in your country.

Special requirements for long-stay (MVV) visa

If you’re planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you’ll likely need a long-stay visa (MVV). This process includes additional steps to ensure you’re ready to settle in the country.

One of the biggest is the civic integration exam abroad.

This covers basic Dutch language skills and knowledge of Dutch society, and many applicants must pass this test at the Dutch embassy in their home country before applying.

The goal is to show you can adapt and understand everyday life in the Netherlands. Some groups, like young children or certain students, may be exempt.

Another key requirement is having a recognized IND sponsor.

This sponsor can be an employer, a Dutch university, or a family member already living in the Netherlands. Only sponsors officially registered with the IND are accepted.

The process starts with your sponsor applying to the IND. Once the IND approves, they issue an approval letter (the MVV decision). You’ll need this letter in hand when you book your appointment.

Legalization and translation of documents

When you submit foreign documents for a Dutch visa, they typically need to be legally recognized by the embassy or IND before they will be accepted.

Whether or not your documents need legalisation depends on whether or not your country has signed the Hague Convention:

• Hague Convention countries: An apostille stamp from the issuing authority is enough to make the document valid in the Netherlands.
• Non-Hague countries: Documents must go through full legalization. This means approval from local authorities first, followed by the Dutch embassy or consulate in that country.

Additionally, your documents must be translated by a sworn translator if they aren’t in Dutch, English, French, or German.

The exact process depends on where the documents were issued, so as always, it’s worth checking details with your local Dutch consulate or embassy.

Biometric data

All applicants, no matter which visa you’re applying for, must provide fingerprints and a digital photo.

These are usually taken on-site during your appointment.

Fingerprints are stored for roughly 5 years in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS), so if you reapply within that window, you may not need to repeat them.

Some applicants, such as certain government officials or children under 6 years old, may be exempt.

Visa fees

When applying for a visa, everyone must pay a fee.

These fees cover the cost of application, and are non-refundable even if your application is rejected.

Prices differ based on the type of visa:

• Schengen short-stay visas: Around €80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6–12, and free for children under 6.

• Long-stay MVV visas: Fees vary widely depending on purpose, usually between €210–€350.

Methods of payment differ by consulate/embassy. Some only accept cash, whilst others accept card or bank transfers.

Due to these small differences, it’s always worth reaching out to your local Dutch mission beforehand to make sure you aren’t caught off guard.

How to apply

Most people apply through the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

In many places, the Netherlands works with outsourced providers like VFS Global. These centers handle the intake, but decisions always come from the Dutch authorities.

You can apply as early as 6 months before your trip (or 9 months for seafarers). The absolute latest is 15 days before departure.

Cutting it close is risky though, and processing times can extend during peak seasons, so applying well in advance is strongly advised.

Learn more about how to apply for a Dutch visa.

Processing times

For short-stay Schengen visas, the standard processing time is about 15 calendar days. Some cases are faster, while others may take longer, especially if additional documents are required.

For long-stay MVV visas, expect a more complex process that typically spans several weeks or even months.

Processing times for both Schengen and long-stay MVV do vary, and tend to be longer during peak seasons (July-August and December-January).

Frequently asked questions

Should documents be originals or copies?

Most Dutch embassies require the originals of your documents and retain copies for their records.

Originals are usually returned during or after the appointment. However, if you submit notarized or legalized originals, the embassy may temporarily retain them for verification purposes.

Because practices differ slightly from one mission to another, always double-check the embassy’s specific checklist before your appointment.

What if my passport has less than 6 months' validity?

For a Schengen visa, the official rule is clear: your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date and have been issued within the last 10 years.

If your passport doesn’t meet these validity rules, your visa application will be automatically rejected.

The best option is to renew your passport before applying.

Can I apply in a country where I am not a resident?

Generally, you must apply for a Dutch visa in your country of legal residence. This allows the embassy or consulate to properly verify your ties and supporting documents.

There are exceptions. If there’s no Dutch representation in your home country, or if the Netherlands outsources applications to another state, you may be allowed to apply elsewhere.

In such cases, always confirm with the specific embassy or consulate before booking an appointment.

What if I overstay my visa in the Netherlands?

Overstaying a Dutch visa comes with serious consequences.

Penalties may include fines, entry bans across the Schengen Area, and future visa refusals. Every overstay is recorded in EU-wide systems, so it won’t go unnoticed when you apply again.

If your overstay happens because of exceptional circumstances (illness, cancelled flights, or other emergencies) it’s important to contact the IND as soon as possible.

The earlier you act, the better your chances of resolving the situation.

Do I need a separate visa for traveling to other Schengen countries?

No, you don’t need a separate visa. A valid Dutch-issued Schengen visa lets you travel to all other Schengen countries during its validity period.

This makes it easy to combine the Netherlands with trips to France, Germany, Spain, or any of the 20+ Schengen states.