Visa Information
VISA TYPES
You may submit your visa application at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
Please note: not all travel documents are recognized by the Netherlands. If you apply for a visa with such a non-recognized travel document, your visa application can be declared inadmissible. More detailed information is available on the European Union website.
Select the visa type that is right for you to see important information on visa fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.
Short-stay Schengen visa (90 days or less)
(For a maximum stay of 90 days per 180-day period)
If you wish to visit the Netherlands for a short period of time, you must obtain a visa prior to entry if you come from a country with a visa requirement for entering the Netherlands.
A short-stay Schengen visa allows the holder to transit through or remain in Dutch territory and all other Schengen States for a maximum period of three months (90 days) within any period of 180 days.
Visiting more than one Schengen country?
You will have to obtain the Schengen visa from the country where the main purpose of travel lies.
When travelling to more than one Schengen country, submit your application with the country where you will be staying the longest. In case of equally long stays, you have to apply with the Schengen country where you arrive first.
Also travelling to a non-Schengen country?
When also travelling to another country outside the Schengen area (for example in the Caribbean, Croatia, Romania, the United Kingdom and/or the United States), apply for the other visa first, before applying for the Schengen visa.
Select your short-stay Schengen visa:
Tourism
-
Overview
This visa is solely for the purpose of leisure travel including vacationing, cruising, sightseeing and other recreational activities. If during any portion of your visit to Netherlands you intend to engage in business or other non-tourism activities you must apply under another visa category.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a tourist visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Business
-
Overview
A business visa is required if during any portion of your visit you intend to conduct business or commercial activities, e.g. meetings, conferences, business-related training.
Such a visa can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by an entity within the Netherlands. If you intend to undertake paid work in the Netherlands you will need to obtain a work permit.
Orange Carpet Program
Are you are a business traveller who travels to the Netherlands frequently from Ethiopia and you need a short-stay Schengen visa each time? Find out if you or your employees are eligible for the Orange Carpet programme, which offers exemptions and longer-stay visa.
Who is eligible?
- Dutch companies that have a subsidiary in Ethiopia or vice versa and whose employees travel frequently to the Netherlands for business purposes
- An Ethiopian company having a long-term business relationship with a company in the Netherlands.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a business visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Visiting family/friends
-
Overview
If you are travelling to the Netherlands to visit family / friends (including girlfriend/boyfriend), you may apply for this visa.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Visa facilitation for family members of EU/EEA or Swiss national
-
Overview
If you need a visa to travel to the Netherlands, in some situations, you may be eligible for free visa facilitation. Check whether your situation meets the conditions.
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
-
Visa Fees
Visa Facilitation for family members of EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
Applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category. Applications for Schengen visas for this purpose are free of charge.
Service fees are applicable.
-
Documents Required
Go to the checklist to see which documents you need to submit with your application:
Checklist for a family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.
In case you are a parent of a Dutch national under 18:
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Airport transit
-
Overview
Nationals of certain countries also need an airport transit visa to change aircraft at an airport in a Schengen country. See the list of countries whose nationals need an airport transit visa.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for an airport transit visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Entry Visa
-
Overview
You are a foreign national (i.e. non-Dutch) with a valid long-term residence permit for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Your document was stolen, lost or has expired during your stay abroad and you have to return. In this case you need for an entry visa.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a entry visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Medical treatment
-
Overview
An applicant travelling for medical treatment and the accompanying person(s) can apply for a medical treatment visa.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a medical treatment visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Official visit
-
Overview
This visa is solely for the purpose of undertaking journeys by members of official delegations who, following an official invitation, participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as events held in the Netherlands by intergovernmental organizations.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for an official visit visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sports
-
Overview
A sports visa is required if during any portion of the visit you intend to participate in sports competitions. Such a visa can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by an entity within the Netherlands.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a sports visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Study and research
-
Overview
A study and research visa is exclusively meant for someone who is going to undertake study and research in the Netherlands.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
Travelling with children
If you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (child under 18 years of age) there are specific requirements for the documents to be submitted (see the checklist).
When a child travels with one parent (or alone)
When a minor travels with one parent or alone a so-called “consent letter for minors travelling abroad” is needed. For more information, see the page Travelling with children on government.nl.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Please see the checklist for a study and research visa with the complete list of requirements.
- Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
As a part of your visa application, your digital photograph will be taken and you will need to provide your fingerprints
Read more about the biometric data collection when you attend the Visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Visa after approved appeal
-
Overview
If your application for a short stay visa for the Netherlands has been refused, you can object against this decision by sending an objection letter to the IND. If your appeal or objection is successful, your application will be approved.
This visa category is solely for applicants whose appeal or objection has been approved by the IND.
There is no need to schedule an appointment for this category. Applicants can walk in from 08:00 to 15:00 hrs.
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
-
Visa Fees
If your objection has been approved after an appeal, you do not have to pay the official consular visa fee again. However, you will have to pay the VFS service charge.
- All payments will be collected in ETB cash only.
- VFS service charge :
- Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
- A valid travel document
- The no-objection letter (and a copy) stating that your objection has been successful
- Any documents mentioned in the no-objection letter (if applicable). For example, a valid:
- hotel
- flight reservation
- proof of insurance
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
NOT APPLICABLE
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
-
Download Forms
Please click here to download - Complete the online Schengen visa application form, print it out and take it to your appointment. It is strongly recommended to complete the form using the online portal instead of the paper format.
- The portal will guide you through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
Long-stay visa (MVV)
In case you intend to stay in the Netherlands for a continuous period of longer than 90 days you will need a provisional residence permit (MVV), informally known as a ‘long-stay visa’.
Applying for a provisional residence permit and a residence permit must be done with the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service IND.
You apply for a specific purpose of stay, for example living with a family member, study or work.
It is often your sponsor who applies. This is a person or organization that wants you to
come to the Netherlands. For example the family member you are going to stay with in the Netherlands. Or a school or employer.
If you do not have a sponsor, you apply for the MVV and residence permit yourself. To do this, please contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or in your country of permanent residence.
You must apply at least 3 (three) months before your intended stay in the Netherlands.
When you have received a positive decision on your application, you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect the MVV. Please refer to the ‘alien number’ (V number) in the letter of approval.
For detailed information about the MVV procedure plus the entry conditions for all nationalities, please visit the IND website.
More information on applying for a long-stay visa (MVV) for Ethiopia residents.
Dutch Caribbean visa
The Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands consist of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.
Whether you need a Caribbean visa depends on your nationality and the length of your stay.
On the website of the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country you can find out whether you need a visa.
The website also gives more information about travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Select your Caribbean visa:
Short-stay Caribbean visa
-
Overview
If you want to stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for 90 days or less, you may need a short-stay visa. This depends on your nationality. You may also need a short-stay visa if you are transiting through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
What is a short-stay Caribbean visa?
- A short-stay Caribbean visa lets you travel throughout the Dutch Caribbean, i.e. Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.
- A standard short-term Caribbean visa is issued for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is a multiple-entry visa.
- A short-stay Caribbean visa does not permit you to undertake paid work. If you would like to work, you must have a work permit.
- A short-term Caribbean visa is not valid for travel to the European part of the Netherlands or to any other Schengen area country.
Caribbean visas | Netherlands Worldwide
Applying for a short-stay Caribbean visa in Ethiopia | Netherlands Worldwide
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
-
Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Step 1: Complete the application form
Caribbean visas | Netherlands Worldwide
Applying for a short-stay Caribbean visa in Ethiopia | Netherlands Worldwide
Complete the online application form, print it out and take it to your appointment.
Step 2: Get all the required documents
Get all the documents required for your application. The online form explains which documents you need to provide and which requirements they must meet.
Medical insurance
You must show an official document from your insurance company. The document must prove that the insurance is in your name. It must also prove that your insurance policy provides medical cover:
- in all Caribbean parts of the Kingdom
- for the entire duration of your stay
- for at least USD 15,000
- for hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death).
If your insurance policy does not cover the above, or if you do not have an official document proving this, you must take out a policy that does provide this cover.
Please note: Providing these documents does not automatically entitle you to a visa. The embassy or consulate can refuse your application or request additional information.
For every document submitted, you must provide the original (to show at the counter) and a photocopy (to be attached to the visa file). The documents must have been drawn up in (or translated into) Dutch, English, French or Spanish.
Step 3: Make an appointment online
Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment at your preferred location using the online appointment system.
-
Photo specifications and fingerprints
No fingerprint requirement for Short Stay Caribbean visa.
-
Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Long-stay Caribbean visa
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Overview
If you wish to take up residency in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom or stay for longer than 90 days, in most cases you will need a residence permit. If you have applied for one already, please be aware that you may require a visa to collect your residence permit in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten.
For details information on Long Stay Caribbean visa and residence permit please visit https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/caribbean-visa/long-stay
Check the details on your visa
Upon receiving your visa at VFS, please ensure that all the information is accurate, including your name and the visa’s validity period. If there’s a mistake on your visa, the airline may not let you board your flight or you may be refused entry into the Schengen area.
Is there a mistake on your visa? Notify the agent at VFS Global immediately.
If you notice the mistake at a later stage or if your visa was sent by courier, please contact the Dutch embassy immediately.
During which period can I travel?
The fields 'From' and 'Until' on your visa tell you how long your visa is valid for.
- ‘From’: the first day that you can enter the Schengen area
- ‘Until’: the last day by which you must leave the Schengen area
How long can I stay?
The field ‘Duration of stay’ on your visa tells you how many days you may stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries, within the period of validity mentioned at 'From' and ‘Until’. This is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you get a multiple-entry visa you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the Schengen area must not total more than 90 days.
If you overstay, you risk a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.
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Visa Fees
Please note that on top of the official visa fees, VFS Global charges an extra service fee to be paid by the applicant.
- For the official visa fees charged by the Dutch government, click here.
- VFS service charge :
Apart from the visa fee, a VFS service charge in (ETB 2597.00/ USD 21/ Euro 20) per application will be levied for applicants applying at the Visa Application Centre.
- All charges (visa fee and other charges) are to be paid in cash and VFS Global service charge must be paid online while booking an appointment.
- For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here
- All fees are non-refundable.
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Documents Required
Please note: you can apply for a visa only when you have applied for your residence permit and your application has been approved. For Curaçao, provisional approval is enough.
Step 1: Complete the application form
Complete the online application form, print it out and take it to your appointment.
Step 2: Get all the required documents
Get all the documents required for your application. Below you can find out which documents you need to provide and which requirements they must meet.
For every document submitted, you must provide the original (to show at the counter) and a photocopy (to be attached to the visa file). The documents must have been drawn up in (or translated into) Dutch, English, French or Spanish.
Passport
A passport or other travel document containing at least two blank pages. It should be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Documents for children under 18
If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18, you must provide the child’s birth certificate and an identity document for each parent.
Proof of legal residence
You must be able to prove that you are legally resident in the country you are applying from. To do this, you can show your passport, residence permit or a visa.
Photo Specifications. Click Here
Photocopy of letter from immigration service
Has your residence permit application been approved by the local immigration service? If so, you must submit a photocopy of the letter your sponsor received.
- Aruba: temporary admission document (VTA)
- St Maarten: landing permit
- Curaçao: you do not need to provide a copy of the letter
- Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba: authorisation for temporary stay (MVV-BES)
You should also bring any additional documents listed in the letter.
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Photo specifications and fingerprints
No fingerprint requirement for Long Stay Caribbean visa.
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Processing Time
The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.
Starting from 01 June 2024, the following measures in accordance with Article 25a of the Visa Code will come into effect for Ethiopian nationals:
- All documents (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/netherlands/ethopia/english/) required for the purpose of your stay must be submitted;
- The standard processing period will be 45 days;
- Only single-entry visas can be granted;
- Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.
The following categories are exempt from the new visa measures:
- Family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies and family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK.
- Nationals of Ethiopia who participate in meetings organized by an international organization (https://www.government.nl/topics/international-organisations/multilateral-forums) and nationals of Ethiopia that attend an international conference that is hosted by the Netherlands.
Note for airplane crew members
If you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application.
Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:
In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include:
- Your application is impacted by high volume.
- Your application requires further consideration.
- You need to provide additional documents.
Longer processing time for certain nationalities:
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. For more information please the website of the European Commission.
Please avoid contacting NetherlandsWorldwide or the Embassy:
You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. If you have any questions about the status of your application after the 15 calendar days have passed, contact the Visa Application Centre
We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting NetherlandsWorldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.
Thank you for your understanding.
Caribbean Carpet Programme
Do you regularly travel to Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius? If so, you may be able to apply for your short-stay visa through the Caribbean Carpet Programme. The programme simplifies the application procedure and your visa will also be valid for longer.
Applying for the Caribbean Carpet Programme
You can find out whether you are eligible for the Caribbean Carpet Programme on the website of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, if so, how to apply. If your application for the Caribbean Carpet Programme is successful, you can apply for your visas at the Visa Application Centre.
Applying for a visa through the Caribbean Carpet Programme
If your application for the Caribbean Carpet Programme was successful, you will receive an -email confirmation. The email will also contain details about how to submit future visa applications to the Visa Application Centre.