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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.

Visa Types

All about your Visas

Short-stay Schengen visa

(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:

Business, conference and official visit

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo specifications and fingerprints
  • Processing time

  • Overview

    A business visa is required if during any portion of your visit you intend to conduct business or commercial activities, e.g. conferences, meetings, 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.

    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 Iraq. 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 25.6 USD payable in cash (for submission with biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for applicants applying at the visa application centre.

    • Visa fees will be charged in USD.
    • 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.

    Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

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

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

  • 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.

    Additional information for specific nationalities

    Some countries in the Schengen area share information about visa applicants. You can read more about this on the European Commission website

    Tracking the status of your application

    You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. Do not contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the embassy or consulate-general about your application. It is not possible to speed up processing of your application.

    If you have questions about the status of your application or if you have not heard anything after 45 days, contact the VFS Global application centre.

  • Download Forms

    Schengen Visa Form:

    Note:

    • 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. 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

Entry Visa

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo specifications and fingerprints
  • Processing time

  • Overview

    Contact the Dutch embassy in Baghdad or consulate-general in Erbil to apply for an entry visa. If they refer you to VFS, you may submit your visa application at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre.

  • Visa Fees

    Please note that VFS Global offers an additional optional service for visa applicants in Iraq. 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 25.6 USD payable in cash (for submission with biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for applicants applying at the visa application centre.

    • Visa fees will be charged in USD.
    • 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.

    Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

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

  • 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.

    Additional information for specific nationalities

    Some countries in the Schengen area share information about visa applicants. You can read more about this on the European Commission website

    Tracking the status of your application

    You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. Do not contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the embassy or consulate-general about your application. It is not possible to speed up processing of your application.

    If you have questions about the status of your application or if you have not heard anything after 45 days, contact the VFS Global application centre.

  • Download Forms

    Schengen Visa Form:

    Note:

    • 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. 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

Study

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo specifications and fingerprints
  • Processing time

  • Overview

    If the applicant’s purpose of journey is the MENA Scholarship Programme available for Nuffic students.

    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 Iraq. 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 25.6 USD payable in cash (for submission with biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for applicants applying at the visa application centre.

    • Visa fees will be charged in USD.
    • 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.

    Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in Iraq | Netherlands Worldwide

     

  • 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.

    Additional information for specific nationalities

    Some countries in the Schengen area share information about visa applicants. You can read more about this on the European Commission website

    Tracking the status of your application

    You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. Do not contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the embassy or consulate-general about your application. It is not possible to speed up processing of your application.

    If you have questions about the status of your application or if you have not heard anything after 45 days, contact the VFS Global application centre.

  • Download Forms

    Schengen Visa Form:

    Note:

    • 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. 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

VISA AFTER APPROVED APPEAL

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo specifications and fingerprints
  • Processing time

  • 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 8:30 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 USD cash only.
    • Applicant shall be levied a VFS service charge of 25.6 USD per application
    • 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.

    • 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

    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?

  • Photo specifications and fingerprints

    NOT APPLICABLE

  • 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.

    Additional information for specific nationalities

    Some countries in the Schengen area share information about visa applicants. You can read more about this on the European Commission website

    Tracking the status of your application

    You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. Do not contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the embassy or consulate-general about your application. It is not possible to speed up processing of your application.

    If you have questions about the status of your application or if you have not heard anything after 45 days, contact the VFS Global application centre.

  • Download Forms

    • 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. 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.

    Online visa application form

Re-migrant

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo specifications and fingerprints
  • Processing time

  • Overview

    This category of short-stay Schengen visa is for people who are a remigrant, or partners and/or underage (step/foster) children of remigrants. A remigrant is a person who previously migrated to the Netherlands but returned to his/her former country and is currently receiving a remigration benefit. Remigrants must be 55 years old or over to apply for a remigrant visa.
    When you apply for this visa type, you will have to provide evidence that you fall under this category.

    A short-stay visa lets you visit the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. It is also valid in the other Schengen countries.

    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 Iraq. 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 25.6 USD (for submission with biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for applicants applying at the visa application centre.

    • Visa fees can be paid in cash or by credit card.
    • 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 see the checklist for a remigrant visa with the complete list of requirements.

    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 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
    https://www.government.nl/topics/identification-documents/documents/publications/2020/06/18/photo-specification-guidelines-2020.

    Fingerprints

    Your fingerprints will be taken when you apply. These will remain valid for 59 months. Some applicants, such as children under 12, do not need to be fingerprinted.

    Have you provided biometric data (fingerprint and photo) in the last 59 months before your current application? You can then choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You don't have to appear in person. This also applies if you have had your fingerprints taken within the last 59 months for a visa application submitted through another Schengen member state.

    Please note that if your fingerprints do not appear in the system during the evaluation of your application, you will have to come and submit it. Additionally, you can always be invited to an interview if your application gives a reason to do so.

  • Processing time

    You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before you 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. You cannot take your passport home with you while your visa application is being processed. If you are a pilot or flight attendant, your passport can usually be returned on the same day you submit your visa application, providing you apply at one of the following locations:

    • Erbil
    • Baghdad

    In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 45 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.

    Additional information for specific nationalities
    Some countries in the Schengen area share information about visa applicants. You can read more about this on the European Commission website

    Tracking the status of your application
    You can track the status of your application using your track & trace code. Do not contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the embassy or consulate-general about your application. It is not possible to speed up processing of your application.
    If you have questions about the status of your application or if you have not heard anything after 45 days, contact the VFS Global application centre.