Visa Information

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.

Check here for nationalities which do not require a visa.

Making an airport transit through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom

Check if you require a 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.

Visa Fees

Please note that on top of the official visa fees and VFS Global charges an extra service fee is 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, VFS charges an additional service charge of 35 Euro or the equivalent in local exchange rate.

All fees are to be paid in cash in HTG.

For the VFS Global additional services for visa applicants please click here.

All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

You need several documents to apply for a Schengen visa. Always submit all documents. Your application may be rejected if you fail to do so.

Step 1: Complete the application form

Complete the online Schengen visa application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.

For more information, please visit the Ministry website Where can I get a visa application form for the Netherlands?

Step 2: Get all the required documents (checklist)

Get all the documents required for your application. When filling in the online application form, you will see 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.

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

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

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 30 calendar days:

In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 30 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 30 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.

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, training, trade fairs.

Such a visa can only be issued to travelers 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.

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 VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Venezuela. VFS charges an extra service fee for this service, 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 of Euro 35 will be applied to your application.
• Visa fee payment can only be made by bank deposit prior to your appointment.
• All fees are non-refundable.

 

Documents Required

Please see the checklist for a business visa with the complete list of requirements

Travel insurance is mandatory for all the Caribbean parts of The Kingdom of The Netherlands. If you have not purchased, please click here

• Complete the online Caribbean visa Application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
• The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
• Make an appointment online
• Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment using the online appointment system

 

 

Photo specifications and fingerprints

As part of biometric data collection, your digital photograph is taken with your full face visible, without sunglasses or tinted glasses or a head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible, with no hair over the eyes.

Your photo must be taken according to ICAO standard.

Processing Time

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 Netherlands Worldwide 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 Netherlands Worldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.

 

Overview

If you are traveling 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 VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Venezuela. VFS charges an extra service fee for this service, 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 of Euro 35 will be applied to your application.
• Visa fee payment can only be made by bank deposit prior to your appointment.
• All fees are non-refundable.

 

Documents Required

Please see the checklist for a tourist visa with the complete list of requirements.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all the Caribbean parts of The Kingdom of The Netherlands. If you have not purchased, please click here

• Complete the online Caribbean visa Application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
• The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
• Make an appointment online.
• Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment using the online appointment system.

Photo specifications and fingerprints

As part of biometric data collection, your digital photograph is taken with your full face visible, without sunglasses or tinted glasses or a head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible, with no hair over the eyes.

Your photo must be taken according to ICAO standard.

Processing Time

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 Netherlands Worldwide 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 Netherlands Worldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.

 

Overview

If you wish to travel to the Netherlands to study or participate in a sports event, a cultural event or a conference, you can apply for this visa. Such a visa can only be issued to travelers 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.

Visa Fees

Please note that VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Venezuela. VFS charges an extra service fee for this service, 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 of Euro 35 will be applied to your application.
• Visa fee payment can only be made by bank deposit prior to your appointment.
• All fees are non-refundable.

 

Documents Required

Please see the checklist for a study/event visa with the complete list of requirements

Travel insurance is mandatory for all the Caribbean parts of The Kingdom of The Netherlands. If you have not purchased, please click here

• Complete the online Caribbean visa Application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
• The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
• Make an appointment online.
• Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment using the online appointment system.

Photo specifications and fingerprints

As part of biometric data collection, your digital photograph is taken with your full face visible, without sunglasses or tinted glasses or a head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible, with no hair over the eyes.

Your photo must be taken according to ICAO standard.

Processing Time

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 Netherlands Worldwide 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 Netherlands Worldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.

 

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 the 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 VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Venezuela. VFS charges an extra service fee for this service, 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 of Euro 35 will be applied to your application.
• Visa fee payment can only be made by bank deposit prior to your appointment.
• All fees are non-refundable.

 

Documents Required

Please see the checklist for a tourist visa with the complete list of requirements.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all the Caribbean parts of The Kingdom of The Netherlands. If you have not purchased, please click here

• Complete the online Caribbean visa Application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
• The portal will guide through the application questions and will make sure you do not forget to enter any necessary values.
• Make an appointment online.
• Before you visit the Visa Application Centre, you will need to make an appointment using the online appointment system.

Photo specifications and fingerprints

As part of biometric data collection, your digital photograph is taken with your full face visible, without sunglasses or tinted glasses or a head covering, unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible, with no hair over the eyes.

Your photo must be taken according to ICAO standard.

Processing Time

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 Netherlands Worldwide 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 Netherlands Worldwide regarding the status of your application. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to speed up the processing.

 

Overview

If you wish to stay in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom 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 long-stay visa to collect your residence permit in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius or St Maarten

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 VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Dominican Republic. VFS Charges an extra service fee for this service, to be paid by the applicant.

Official visa fees charged by the Dutch government -

• VFS charges an additional service fee of EUR 35.
• All Fee Payment can be made via cash only in HTG.
• All fees are non-refundable.

Documents Required

You need several documents to apply for a Schengen visa. Always submit all documents. Your application may be rejected if you fail to do so.

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 Schengen visa application form. Only forms completed online receive a unique code. Forms without a unique code may cause issues when processing your application. Print this form and submit it along with the other documents. Handwritten forms are not accepted.

For more information, please visit the Ministry website Where can I get a visa application form for the Netherlands?

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
You must submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements.

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.

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

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

You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your travel. The average processing time is 15 calendar days. The maximum is 45 calendar days.

During your appointment you will be asked to submit your passport so that your visa application can be processed. You will get your passport back when your visa application is completed. There are only two situations in which you do not have to submit your passport:

• if you do not live in the country where you are submitting the visa application and you need your passport to travel home; or
• if you are airline flight crew or cabin crew.

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 30 calendar days:

In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 30 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 30 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.