Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa to visit family or friends

Bring: original document

You will need a completed and signed Schengen visa application form. Print the form and submit it with your other documents.

Complete the application form

Bring: original document

You will need a valid travel document, such as a passport. Your travel document must meet the following requirements:

• it is no more than 10 years old
• it must have at least 2 empty visa pages
• it must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area
• it must bear your signature

Bring: original document

You will need to submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements:

• colour photo
• no more than 6 months old
• 3.5cm by 4.5cm
• white or light-coloured background

Find out where you can have a photo that meets Dutch requirements taken outside the Netherlands

If you are applying for a visa through an external service provider, you do not need to submit a photo. A digital photo will be taken at your appointment.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You will need valid proof of legal residence in the country where you are applying for a visa. You can show that you are legally residing in the country where you submit your visa application using, for instance:

• a passport or other travel document
• a residence permit, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area
• a visa  
• a work permit

If you are not a resident of the country where you are submitting your application, you must show why you cannot apply in your country of residence.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must be able to prove that you have social or economic ties to the country where you live. What you can use for this depends on your situation:

• If you are employed: a recent statement from your employer stating your job title, contract duration and salary or a certificate of employment. Plus bank statements or payslips from the previous 3 months.
• If you are self-employed: a business permit or a photocopy of your income tax return, plus bank statements from the previous 3 months.
• If you are a student: a document proving you are enrolled in a study programme in your country of residence. The document must state your area of study and the duration of the programme.

If none of the above situations apply to you, you can show that you have social or economic ties using, for instance:

• a document proving that you are a caregiver in your country of residence
• a document showing that you have a home or other immovable property in your country of residence
• a document showing that your children attend school in your country of residence

Bring: original document and colour copy

You must provide a completed proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form. This form must be signed by the person who has invited you to the Netherlands and must be legalised by the Dutch municipality where that person is registered.  

• If you will be staying with the person who completed the sponsorship form and this person is sponsoring the costs of your stay, any medical care and, if necessary, repatriation, the answers to questions 3A and 3B on the sponsorship form should be ‘yes’.
• If the person who will pay the costs of your stay (subsistence costs) in the Netherlands is not the person with whom you will be staying, the person with whom you will be staying must provide a separate invitation or complete a separate sponsorship form.

Bring: colour copy of the document

• If you will be staying in a hotel or rental accommodation, you will need a hotel reservation or rental agreement for the entire duration of your trip.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You must show who will pay your international travel costs and the costs of your stay (subsistence costs) in the Netherlands.

• If you will pay these costs yourself, you must provide your bank statements for the previous 3 months and, if you are employed, 3 recent payslips.
• If a family member or friend in your country of residence will pay these costs, you must provide their bank statements for the previous 3 months and 3 recent payslips.’
• If the person who has invited you will pay for all your expenses, question 3B on the proof of sponsorship form must be filled out with "yes." You will need to bring three recent pay slips, a recent employment certificate, or a valid employment contract (valid for at least 12 months at the time of your visa application) from this person.
  

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need a reservation in your name for your travel to and from the Schengen area, or another document showing your travel plans. You do not need a paid travel ticket.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need proof of travel medical insurance in your name.*

The document must state that:

• the insurance provides cover in all Schengen area countries for the entire duration of your stay.
• the insurance covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses. This includes the costs of a hospital stay and treatment, emergency care, prescription medication and repatriation to your country of residence (including in the event of death).

Find out what requirements your travel medical insurance must meet

*Holders of diplomatic passports are not required to show proof of travel medical insurance coverage.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need the Dutch identity card (ID card) or passport of the person who has invited you. If the person who has invited you does not have Dutch nationality, you will need their valid Dutch residence permit.

If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18 who will be travelling without 1 or both of their parents or guardians, you will need the following documents:

Bring: original document and colour copy

• a recent extract of the child’s birth certificate
• a consent form signed by the parents or guardians not travelling with the minor

Bring: colour copy of the document

• a colour photocopy of a signed valid travel document (such as a passport) of the parents or guardians not travelling with the child
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has a valid Schengen visa: a colour photocopy of the biographical data page of their passport and of their valid Schengen visa. The biographical data page contains the passport holder’s details and photo
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has died: a photocopy of the death certificate of the deceased parent or guardian
• if a guardian has been appointed: a photocopy of official proof of guardianship
• if there is a court order in place: a photocopy of permission from the court for the minor to travel