Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa to study or to attend a political, academic, cultural, sporting or religious event
Find out what documents you need in order to apply for a Schengen visa to study or to attend a political, academic, cultural, sporting or religious event.
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. This applies to babies and children too.
- If you have had your fingerprints taken for a Schengen visa in the past 5 years (59 months), someone else may submit your application for you. However, if your fingerprints were taken but not saved, you will need to appear in person to have them retaken.
- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request an interview or additional documents.
- You must sign this checklist 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.
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
Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Schengen area
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need an invitation, registration, programme or admission ticket from the company or event you will be visiting in the Netherlands. It must state:
- the duration of the event
- your personal details
- the dates of your visit
- the reason for your visit
If you will be representing a non-profit organisation, you will need an official document showing that the organisation is registered as a non-profit and that you represent the organisation.
If you will be participating in an event hosted by a non-profit organisation, you will need an official document showing that the organisation is registered as a non-profit.
If you are travelling to the Netherlands to study or for other educational purposes, you will need:
- proof of enrolment at the educational institution where you will be participating in a practical or theoretical study programme or professional training course
- a student ID or certificate for the lectures or courses you will attend in the Netherlands if applicable
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need proof of where you will be staying in the Netherlands.
- 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.
- If the party inviting you is arranging your accommodation, this must be stated in the letter of invitation.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You must show who will pay your international travel costs and your costs of stay 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 the party inviting you is paying, this must be stated in the letter of invitation.
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.
Documents relating to minors
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