Dutch Schengen Visa Application Requirements

Introduction

There are various kinds of visas depending upon one’s purpose of traveling to the Netherlands. These include visit, study, work, and permanent residence and therefore, one has to apply for a different Dutch Schengen Visa, accordingly. The Netherlands started issuing Dutch Schengen Visa in 1995.

According to the stats and figures issued by Dutch’s embassies and consulates around the world, the Netherlands has issued a total of 550,910 uniform Schengen Visas from a total of 621,431 application received in 2017. The rejection rate for 2017 stands at 10.10pc

Schengen Area

Schengen Area is a borderless, passport-free zone comprising 26 countries of Europe. Till date, the Schengen Area remains the world’s largest visa-free zone in the world.

What is Schengen Visa?

Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject holder of Schengen Visa to border checks at internal borders of the Schengen countries.

General Documents for Dutch Schengen Visa Application

Application form: The first step is to download the application form, read it carefully, and then fill it completely with utmost honesty.

The Netherlands has also introduced the facility of filling the Schengen Visa application electronically and then print a hard-copy.

After filling the application form, attach two latest photos with it. Photos should be clicked in the passport format by the applicant, full-face captured with a light background. Also, attach with the visa application form original passport and copies of visas previously issued. It is pertinent here to mention that the passport must contain at least two blank pages.

Other important documents are as follow:

Roundtrip Flight Itinerary for visa application: A verifiable document issued by an airline, travel agency or an online service provider to confirm that the visa applicant has booked/paid for a flight seat on an aircraft.

Travel Visa Health Insurance: A health insurance covering minimum expenses worth 30,000 euros in case of any medical complication, accident or repatriation after death. The insurance policy should clearly mention insuree, its validity and the benefits offered. It is pertinent here to mention that availed insurance should cover emergency treatments of hospitals in case of medical complication and repatriation on medical grounds and even death.

Hotel Booking Reservation/Proof of accommodation: It is a document that specifies place/places of applicant’s stay during the course of his visit to Schengen state/states. It includes:

A hotel/hostel booking.

A rental agreement.

A letter of invitation from a host at whose house you will be staying.

Cover Letter for Dutch Schengen Visa: Cover Letter or Covering Letter is a letter sent with, and explaining the contents of another document/documents or parcels of goods.

The applicant explains the following things in Schengen Visa Cover Letter:

The Intention of traveling to the Schengen state/states.

Evidence pertaining to bearing expenditures of the trip. This may be own funds in shape of a bank statement or sponsorship letter issued by the citizen of the host nation.

Explaining relation with a sponsor (if any) and the reasons for sponsorship.

An overview of the applicant’s flight itinerary.

If the applicant is unable to submit any of the required documents, he tells the reasons and explains the alternative documents (that he/she might have submitted).

Applicant’s intention to return to the home destination as soon as the purpose is completed.

Means of subsistence for Dutch Schengen Visa: It means to provide evidence to the Dutch Embassy or consulate that the applicant has sufficient amount or financial resources to bear his/her expenditures during the course of stay in Schengen country. The applicant is supposed to attest to Dutch Consulate or Embassy that he possesses daily cash equivalent to 34 euros.

Proof of paid visa fee:  €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old. These fees are not reimbursable in case visa application is rejected by the embassy or consulate.

If employed:

Employment contract

Current bank statement of the latest 6 months,

Leave permission from the employer,

Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

If self-employed:

A copy of your business license

Company bank statement of the latest 6 months,

Income Tax Return (ITR).

If a student:

Proof of enrollment.

No-objection certificate from school or university.

If retired:

Pension statement of the latest 6 months.

If applicable:

Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months.

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Dutch Visa application.

Dutch Schengen Visa for Tourism/Visit Purpose

Proof of sponsorship/Invitation (originally signed): It is advisable to have the proof of sponsorship/invitation issued by the Immigration Authority of the host nation; and

Photocopy of both sides of the inviting person’s ID; and

If the applicant is visiting a close relative, proof of family relationship through a copy of the Family Registration Certificate (FRC), proof of family relationship through national civil status records; and

In case the applicant intends to visit more Schengen countries, travel plan.

Dutch Schengen Visa for Business Purposes

Invitation letter: An applicant should have an invitation detailing address of the inviting company and letter issued by the company of the host country he/she is intending to visit. It is pertinent here to mention that an invitation letter must contain the detailed address of the company and complete dates of the applicant’s visit.

NOC from employer: This letter explains the reasons for applicant’s travel to the host nation.

Proof of financial means: The employer or company of the host nation are bound to submit an affidavit regarding coverage of applicant’s expenses during the course of his/her stay.

Business Bank Statement: Applicant must attach the bank statement of his/her company of the last six months.

Dutch Schengen Visa for Medical Purposes

Medical report: A medical report issued by the doctor, clinic or hospital of the applicant’s country.

Medical Attestation: An attestation from the doctor or hospital of the host nation stating the date of the applicant’s appointment.

Receipts: Payment receipts of medical dues.

Confirmation: A confirmation by the doctor or hospital of host nation regarding treatment of appointment of the applicant.

Proof of financially well-being: A proof that applicant can support his/her expenditures during the course of stay in the host nation.

Dutch Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – the purpose of visit, expense coverage; and

Names of the applicants (crew members); and

Duration of stay; and

Travel itinerary.

Dutch Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other types of Internship Purposes

An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses; and

Certificate of completion or courses attended; and

Financial sustenance.

Dutch Visa for the Wife/Husband of a Dutch citizen

Proof of Dutch citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Dutch nationality or naturalization order); and

Dutch marriage certificate; and

Dutch family record book; and

Dutch Airport Transit Visa; and

Visa or other types of entry permit in the transit country; and

Copy of your valid visa for your final destination.

Dutch Schengen Visa for Minors

Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license); and

Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent); and

If one parent lives in another country – their notarized parental travel consent.

Other specific documents depending upon nature of visa

Apart from all the aforesaid documents, diplomatic officers at embassies or consulates of Schengen states can demand various other documents depending upon the type of visa application.

Duration of Dutch Schengen Visa

A Dutch Schengen Visa holder can stay up to 90 days within a period of six months for business or tourist purpose in Schengen state/states.

However, if you want to live or work in any of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you are required to apply for a national visa of that specific European country.

When to apply?

As per instructions and rules of European Commission, an aspirant must file Schengen Visa application at least 15 days prior to the start date of his trip.