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Netherlands Visa Guide
The Netherlands is world-renowned for its windmills, canals, and tulips, but there is so much more to see and do in this beautiful country. The capital of the Netherlands is one of the perfect places to start your vacation, you can find several IndiGo codeshare flights to Amsterdam from India. Once here, you can explore this beautiful country from the vibrant cities to the picturesque villages dotting the landscape, visitors will find a wealth of attractions and activities to enjoy.
And because the Netherlands is relatively small, all of these great things to see and do are within easy reach. The best way to explore is by hiring a bicycle. Most of the major tourist attractions encourage the use of bicycles to explore the sights. This is also a fun way to traverse the cities like Amsterdam and The Hague because you get to truly experience one of the world’s friendliest and most beautiful countries in Europe, the Netherlands.
Since Netherlands is a part of Schengen area, you need to apply for the Schengen Netherlands visa, you can apply for a short-stay Schengen visa or a long-stay Schengen visa. These are the steps you need to keep in mind:
We have a comprehensive Schengen visa guide here which provides detailed information about the visa, how to apply, types of visa and more.
You can check your visa application on the official website by filling out your visa application number and travel document number. The Netherlands visa process is simple, and it has a user-friendly website to check the application status.
Based on different purposes like tourism, business, education, and transit, you can apply for the Netherlands visas.
To enter the Netherlands, you need to apply for the Netherlands visa, or, to put it simply, the Schengen tourist visa. With this visa type, you can explore the different cities and tourist attractions. The tourist visa falls under short-stay visas for those who want to stay for up to three months. To extend your stay in the Netherlands for more than a three-month period, you need to apply for a long-stay entry visa.
The Netherlands visa for tourism is valid for no more than 90 days. This visa will be issued under a short-stay visa, which is valid for this Schengen country.
The Netherlands visas can take up to 10 to 15 working days to process. But remember that the process can extend to a month or more, if the information provided by you is incorrect.
The business visa for the Netherlands provides access for business-related activities. A business visa can be acquired through the Schengen visa programme, wherein a local company or individual business from the Netherlands needs to provide a copy of the invitation letter.
The Netherlands visa for business is valid for a period of 90 days. This visa will be issued under a short-stay Schengen visa, which is valid for this country.
The Netherlands visas can take up to 10 to 15 working days to process. However, it can take up to a month or more if the information provided is not correct.
You need to apply for a student Schengen visa to study in the Netherlands. This visa allows an individual to legally study at a university or school. You will be provided with a short stay of a maximum of three months.
The student visa is valid for up to three months within a six-month period. After you receive the passport with the visa, double check the validity period and duration of stay.
The processing time for student visas may take up to 15 working days. The processing time for student visa may take more or less than two months in case changes need to be made on your visa application form.
An airport transit visa allows travellers to make a stop or change flights at the airport. This airport transit visa will not allow you to exit the airport. The type A short-stay visa allows passengers to pass through an international airport.
The airport transit visa does not allow travellers to exit the airport. If you have a long layover or want to spend a few days in the Netherlands before flying to another country, you will need to apply for a regular Type C short-stay Schengen visa. This is also applicable if you need to transit from one airport to another within the Schengen area.
The processing time for transit visas may take up to 15 working days. But remember that the process time can extend to a month or more, if the information provided by you is incorrect.
Through a Dutch Caribbean Visa, you will be able to enter the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands, which are Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. You cannot travel to the European part of the Netherlands with this visa.
The Dutch Caribbean visa is valid for no more than 90 days. This visa will be issued under a short-stay visa, which is valid for this Schengen country.
The processing time for Dutch Caribbean visas may take up to 15 working days. But remember that the process time can extend to a month or more, if the information provided by you is incorrect.
Where can I submit my visa application?
For the Netherlands visa, you can submit your visa application either at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general, at VFS Global, or at TLS Contact.
How can I track my visa application status for the Netherlands?
You can check your visa status for the Netherlands online, or contact the agents from whom you have applied for your visa, like VFS Global.
Who assesses my visa application for the Netherlands?
Your visa application for the Netherlands will be checked in the Schengen Information System (SIS II) as well as the Visa Information System (VIS). This process may take several days—a week or even two weeks.
What is the waiting time for visa applications?
The wait time for visa application may take longer than 15 days or more to process your application.
What is the difference between a visit visa and a tourist visa?
Generally, a visit visa is given for many purposes, like short-term business or medical treatments, whereas, a tourist visa is given for sightseeing.
