Applying for an entry visa for the Netherlands in Uganda
If you are in Uganda and your Dutch residence permit has been lost or stolen, or has expired, follow the steps below to apply for an entry visa.
Step 1: Check whether you need a visa
In some cases, you may not need a visa to return to the Netherlands. Select the situation that applies to you.
My residence permit has expired. Check whether you need a visa
My residence permit has been lost or stolen. Check whether you need a visa
Step 2: Gather the documents that you need
The checklist tells you which documents you need for your entry visa application.
Step 3: Make an appointment
Once you have all the documents you need for your entry visa application, make an appointment with VFS Global or the Netherlands embassy in Kampala.
Making an appointment at VFS Global
Make an appointment online at VFS Global in Kampala
- Making an appointment is free of charge. Do not make an appointment with an intermediary because they will charge you money.
- If you are applying for visas for multiple people, make a separate appointment for each person.
Making an appointment at the Netherlands embassy
Send an email to the embassy in Kampala to apply for an entry visa.
In the subject line of your email, state: Entry visa application
In the body of your email, state:
- your surname and given names
- your current location
- the telephone number on which you can be reached
- your date of birth
- your nationality.
Attach the following documents to your email:
- a scan or photo of your passport or ID card
- a scan or photo of your expired residence permit
or
as much information as possible about your residence permit, such as your alien registration number (V number); if your residence permit was stolen, also include a police statement
The embassy will check with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) whether you are entitled to a residence permit for the Netherlands. If so, the embassy will contact you to make an appointment and start your application for an entry visa.
You must appear in person at your appointment to submit your application, even if you’re under 18.
Exception
You don’t need to appear in person to submit your application if:
- you have applied in person for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years (59 months), and:
- you submitted a photo with that application, and:
- your fingerprints were taken for that application (only applies if you are 12 or older).
If you meet all 3 conditions, you can have someone else submit your application for you. The appointment must be under the name of the person submitting your application.
If you are not certain whether VFS Global has your fingerprints on record, you should submit your application in person. VFS Global cannot check this for you.
To change or cancel your appointment, contact VFS Global in Uganda.
Step 4: Go to your appointment
Go to your appointment at VFS Global, and bring all the documents on your checklist from step 2 with you, plus the checklist itself.
At your appointment you should:
- submit the documents that are on your checklist together with your passport;
- have your fingerprints taken (only if you are 12 or older);
- answer questions about your trip;
- pay the visa fee;
- say whether you want to collect your passport (with visa affixed) or have it sent to you; and
- receive a reference or tracking number to track your application.
The overview of consular fees in Uganda tells you what your visa will cost. You will also need to pay a service fee to VFS Global.
Usually, you will receive an email in response to your application within 15 days. This may take longer in some situations. In that case, you will receive a response within 45 days.
Application at VFS Global
When you submit your application you will receive a reference number from VFS Global. You can use the number to track the status of your visa application online.
Application at the Netherlands embassy
After you submit your application you will receive a tracking number that you can use to track the status of your visa application online.
Step 5: Collect your passport or have it sent to you
You will receive an email once your application has been processed. The email won’t say whether your application was successful. You can collect your passport or have it sent to you. If your application was approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.
If you want to have your passport sent to you, you can ask during your appointment how to arrange this.
If you want to collect your passport in person, you will be given a collection date during your appointment. You can also have someone else collect your passport for you.
If you collect your passport yourself, you must bring:
- a valid identity document; and
- your payment receipt.
If someone else collects your passport for you, they must bring:
- a valid identity document
- a signed letter from you authorising them to collect your passport; and
- your payment receipt.
Check whether the information on your visa is correct. Your name and the visa’s validity period, for example.
Find out more about the information on your visa
If any of the information is incorrect or you can’t use the visa, for example because the period of validity is later than the dates of the plane tickets in your application, contact the Netherlands embassy in Kampala.
Step 6: Prepare for your return trip
Return to the Netherlands within 7 days of the date shown on your visa.
Your entry visa is valid for 7 days after the date shown on the visa. You must return to the Netherlands within that period.
You are only allowed to travel to the Netherlands via another country in the Schengen area if this is stated on your visa. The visa states the countries you are allowed to travel through on your way to the Netherlands. The entry visa does not give you the right to stay in any country other than the Netherlands.
When you arrive in the Netherlands or another Schengen area country, the visa in your passport will show border control that you are allowed to stay in the Netherlands.
Apply to the IND for a new residence permit once you have returned to the Netherlands.
Contact
Do you have a question about your application at VFS Global?
Do you have a question about your application at the embassy?