Short stay Schengen visa application information
Schengen Visa
Foreigners intending to travel to the Netherlands for a short stay (maximum 90 days) may require a visa, depending on their nationality. Having a visa is one of the conditions for being granted access to the Netherlands and the other Schengen countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland, Sweden and Switzerland). A visa may also be limited to one or several Schengen countries (visa with territorial restrictions). In such cases the stay is only permitted in the territory of one or more designated Schengen countries.
For the most recent information concerning visa application, you can visit the website of the Dutch Immigration Service: https://www.ind.nl/EN
Who needs a visa for the Netherlands?
Not all countries need to apply for a visa for a short term stay in advance. You will need a visa if you are a national of one of these countries.
Where to apply
You can apply for a short stay visa at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of origin or country of continuous residence. If there is no Dutch representation in your country, you may have to submit the application at the embassy or consulate of another Schengen country. This depends on whether the Netherlands has representation arrangements with another Schengen country for short stay visa applications in the country concerned. For a list of embassies that can handle visa applications for the Netherlands, please go to
If no Dutch representation is available and there are no representation arrangements, then you should turn to the nearest Dutch representation in a surrounding country.
How to apply
You must submit an application for a short stay visa at the embassy or consulate in person. Do not forget to take the items and documents referred to further in this document with you. Do not make a definitive booking for your trip until you have received a positive answer from the embassy or consulate. Before you receive the actual visa, the validity of your passport and proof that your return journey has been booked will be checked.
General conditions for admission
If you wish to apply for a short stay visa, the following general conditions apply:
– Your passport (travel document) must be valid. At the time of application, the passport must be valid for a further 3 months beyond the date on which the visa period ends. In addition, the passport should not be older than 10 years.
– There may be no risk of illegal immigration (risk of settlement, where there is insufficient guarantee that the person in question will return to the country of origin or country of continuous residence in time). Several factors play a role in the assessment as to whether there is a risk of illegal immigration. One aspect considered is for example whether or not you have strong social and/or economic ties with your country of origin or the country of continuous residence.
– You will have to be able to make a plausible case for your travel purposes.
– You must have sufficient means of support.
– You must not constitute a danger to public order, domestic security, public health, or the international relations of one of the Schengen countries. Constituting a danger to public order means, for example, that you have been sentenced for, or are suspected of, committing an offence.
– Your name must not be on the list of persons to be refused.
– You must have adequate and valid travel medical insurance coverage.
What documents do you need for application?
When applying for a short stay visa, you need a number of documents. You must show these documents when submitting your application. The documents required
include the following:
– Valid passport (travel document).
– Documentary evidence in support of the purpose of your trip. This may be a hotel reservation or the WCO invitation for the 5th WCO T&I Forum.
– Evidence showing that you have sufficient means of support for your stay in the Netherlands, transit journey, and/or return journey. Showing you have at least € 34 per person per day at your disposal for the duration of your visa, by means of bank statements, traveller’s cheques or cash for example.
– A sponsor declaration. A signed format for a sponsorship declaration has been made available to all the invited delegates. The format is available at the WCO TI Forum Organizing Team.
Processing times
The processing of visa applications usually takes up to 15 days. But it can sometimes take up to 60 days, if more information is needed. For instance, you may need to undergo screening. You cannot apply for a visa more than three months before your intended departure.
Costs of visa
If you want to know in advance about the specific amounts charged, please go to https://www.ind.nl/en/individuals/short-stay/costs-income-requirements/Costs
Please note that obtaining a visa is the sole responsibility of the Delegate. It is highly recommended to check the requirements and apply for a visa well in advance in order to avoid delays and travel cancellations.
