My Dutch residence permit will expire soon. Can I stay in the Netherlands after it expires?
If your Dutch residence permit will expire soon and you have not applied for an extension, you can stay in the Netherlands and the other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days after it expires. In some cases you will need a short-stay visa (Schengen visa). Follow the steps to see how to stay in the Netherlands after your residence permit expires.
Step 1: Check whether you need a Schengen visa
You may need a visa to stay in the Netherlands after your residence permit expires. This depends on your nationality and other factors.
If you need a short-stay visa, you will need a valid Schengen visa to stay in the Netherlands after your residence permit expires. Your visa must be valid on the day your residence permit expires. Be sure to apply for your visa in good time. You can submit an application up to 6 months before your residence permit expires. Read step 2 to see how to arrange this.
If you don't need a short-stay visa, you can stay in the Netherlands and the other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days after your residence permit expires. You do not need to arrange anything for this.
You will, however, need to meet certain requirements:
- Your passport or travel document was issued less than 10 years ago.
- Your passport or travel document will be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Netherlands or another Schengen country.
- You have enough money to finance your stay in the Netherlands and your return journey.
When you leave the Schengen area, border control will check whether you had a residence permit and were permitted to stay in the Schengen area without a visa after your residence permit expired.
Step 2: Decide where you will stay the longest
Decide whether you will stay longer in the Netherlands or another country in the Schengen area. Then you can find out where to apply for a visa.
If you want to stay longer in the Netherlands than in another Schengen country, you must apply for your visa from outside the Netherlands. Continue to step 3.
If you want to stay in another Schengen country for longer than you will stay in the Netherlands, that other country is your main destination. Apply for a visa in the Netherlands at the embassy or consulate of the country that is your main destination.
Contact details of embassies and consulates in the Netherlands
Step 3: Apply for a Schengen visa outside the Netherlands
Apply for a Schengen visa at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general in another Schengen country. Which country you choose is up to you.
Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in another Schengen country
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