Applying for a visa support letter in the United States
In some situations, the Dutch embassy in Washington can issue a no objection statement. Read how to apply for this statement and what documents you will need.
What is a no objection statement?
Exchange students with a J-1 visa are subject to the 2-year home-country physical presence requirement. Participants are expected to return to their home country for a minimum of 2 years at the end of their programme. This requirement can be waived with the no objection statement.
What documents do I need?
To apply for a no objection statement, you will need:
- Letter with a brief explanation why you need the declaration. This letter should include your full current postal address (no PO box allowed).
- Copy of the holder or personal details page of your current and valid Dutch passport.
- Copy(ies) of your J-1 visa (if available).
- Copy(ies) of all DS 2019 forms ever issued to you (mandatory, without this you cannot apply for a no objection declaration).
- Statement of payment of tax and contributions, issued by the Dutch taxation office. Request this from the office 'Invordering Kantoor Buitenland', through the website of the Dutch taxation office (Belastingdienst.nl). In Dutch this statement is called: Verklaring betalingsgedrag nakoming fiscale verplichtingen (information in Dutch). You must send the statement in Dutch.
- DS-3035 form with 'Third Party barcode' page. You'll receive this form after registering your Visa Waiver Recommendation application at the State Department. See the page Apply for a Waiver of the Exchange Visitor two-year home country physical presence requirement for instructions.
How do I apply for a no objection statement?
You can apply by email:
- Send your email to the Netherlands embassy in Washington, D.C.: was-ca@minbuza.nl.
- Include the name of declaration and your surname in the subject of your email.
- Please indicate in the email what you need the declaration for. So the embassy will state the purpose of your declaration in the declaration.
- Do not forget to mention your (mobile) telephone number in the email.
- Make a PDF of all the required documents and send it as an attachment (a photo of your documents is not allowed).
Is the PDF file too large to send in one go? Then split the documents and send them in 2 (or more) emails.
Is your file not complete? Or is something unclear or do you have questions? Then you may have to send additional documents.
How much should I pay?
Is your application complete? Then you will receive an e-mail with the following information:
- The total amount you have to pay: a no objection statement costs €50.
- Payment instructions: transfer in euros to the bank account of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
As soon as your payment has been received, the embassy will draw up the statement. You will receive a copy of your statement digitally by email.
How long does it take?
After receiving and processing your payment, it takes about 10 working days to process your request.
Do you have to send additional documents because your application is not complete? Then it takes longer.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.