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What kind of visas are there for the Netherlands?

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There are different types of visas for travelling to the Netherlands. Find out more here.

Visas for the Netherlands

An airport transit visa allows you to make a brief stop or change planes at an airport in the Netherlands. 

An airport transit visa does not allow you to go through passport control or to visit the Netherlands.

Check whether you need a visa

Visa required?

You can apply for your visa between 6 months and 45 days in advance of the date you will be travelling to the Netherlands. 

Find out how to apply for an airport transit visa

No visa required? 

Find out what other documents you will need for your trip to the Netherlands, and what you can and cannot bring with you.

Check what you need to travel to the Netherlands

A short-stay Schengen visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period in all countries in the Schengen area. For instance for a holiday, business trip or to visit family or friends. The Netherlands is a Schengen country. 

The visa clearly states the period for which it is valid. You can travel freely in all countries in the Schengen area while your visa is valid.

See what countries are in the Schengen area

Check whether you need a visa

Visa required?

You can apply for your visa between 6 months and 45 days in advance of the date you will be travelling to the Netherlands. If you are a seafarer, you can apply for your visa between 9 months and 15 working days in advance of the date you will be travelling to the Netherlands.

Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa

No visa required? 

Find out what other documents you will need for your trip to the Netherlands, and what you can and cannot bring with you.

Check what you need to travel to the Netherlands

Do you travel regularly to the Netherlands on business? The Orange Carpet Visa Facility makes it easier for business travellers from certain countries to apply for a Schengen visa. You will need to submit fewer documents when you make a visa application, for example. The Orange Carpet Visa Facility is available in a limited number of countries.

Read more about the Orange Carpet Visa Facility

Schengen visa facilitation is a special procedure that allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period in the Netherlands and other countries in the Schengen area. You can only apply for Schengen visa facilitation if you are a family member of a national of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland.

Check whether you need a visa

Visa required?

Find out whether you are eligible for Schengen visa facilitation. You do not have to pay a visa fee if you are eligible for visa facilitation, although you may have to pay a service fee in some situations.

Find out whether you are eligible for visa facilitation

No visa required?

See what documents you do need to travel to the Netherlands, as well as what you can and cannot bring with you.

Check what documents you need for travel to the Netherlands

A long-stay visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV). This visa allows you to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days.

Check whether you need a long-stay visa (MVV)

Visa required?

Find out how to apply for a long-stay visa (MVV)

No visa required? 

Use the checklist for moving to the Netherlands to see what you need to arrange before you move to the Netherlands.

See the checklist moving to the Netherlands

You may require an entry visa if you are abroad and your Dutch residence permit has been lost or stolen or has expired. An entry visa will allow you to return to the Netherlands. 

Check whether you need a visa if your residence permit has expired

Check whether you need a visa if your residence permit has been lost or stolen

Find out how to apply for an entry visa

A Caribbean visa allows you to visit the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten. You cannot travel to the European part of the Netherlands on a Caribbean visa. 

There are 2 types of Caribbean visa:

  1. Short-stay Caribbean visa. For a stay of  90 days or less.
  2. Long-stay Caribbean visa. For a stay longer than 90 days.

Find out whether you need a Caribbean visa

Visa required?

Find out how to apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa

Find out how to apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa

No visa required? 

Find out about the conditions for travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom

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