Important to know
- Arrive at your appointment well prepared. Choose your country of residence to find out how to apply for a Schengen visa.
- In most cases you must submit your application in person.
- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request an interview or additional documents.
- You must sign a document at the appointment, declaring the following:
- you understand that you must submit all documents in order for your application to be processed
- you are aware that an incomplete application may be rejected and that your visa application fee will not be refunded
Personal documents
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 your own application form online. Only then will you receive a form with a unique code. Forms without this code may cause issues while processing your application. For that reason, do not use someone else’s 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 will need a recent and signed statement from your employer on company letterhead paper stating:
- your job title
- your contract duration
- your salary
Bring: original document and colour copy
Your seafarer’s record book, if you have one.
Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Schengen area
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need a signed invitation on company letterhead paper from a shipping company in the Netherlands stating:
- that the company is sponsoring you
- that you have travel medical insurance
- your personal details
- the purpose of the trip
- your passport details
- your seafarer’s record book number, if you have one
- your job title or rank as seafarer on the ship
- the name of the ship
- the place where you will board the ship
- the dates of your entry into and exit from the Schengen area
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.