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Where can I apply for a visa for the Netherlands?

Language selection:English

You can normally only apply for a visa for the Netherlands in your country of residence. For example, at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general. But there are exceptions. Check what applies to you.

Attention: If you are staying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, and your application for a residence permit for the Netherlands has been approved, the letter from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will tell you where you can apply for a long-stay visa (MVV). 

Locations where you can submit your application in your country of residence

If you know which visa you need to apply for in order to travel to the Netherlands, contact one of the locations where you can submit your application in your country of residence. For example: 

  • a Dutch embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence
  • an embassy or consulate-general of another Schengen country in your country of residence
  • a VFS Global or TLScontact visa application centre in your country of residence

Find your closest centre: 

Apply for a Schengen visa

Apply for an airport transit visa

Attention: If you are not sure whether you need a visa and, if so, what type of visa, check if you need a visa.

Exceptions for visa applications outside your country of residence

In the following situations you can apply for your visa in a country other than your country of residence.

If there is no location for submitting applications in your country of residence you can apply for a visa in another country nearby. You can do this at a Dutch embassy, consulate-general or visa application centre. 

Choose your country of residence on the page ‘Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa’ or ‘Applying for an airport transit visa’ to find out more about your nearest application location.

Go to the Schengen visa application page

Go to the airport transit visa application page

If you can prove that you have not been in your country of residence in the past six months you can apply for a visa in the country you are currently in. Take proof that you left your country of residence more than six months ago. For example, a photocopy of the page in your passport with the exit stamp from your country of residence. 

Choose the country you now reside in on the page ‘Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa’ or ‘Applying for an airport transit visa’ to find out more about your nearest application location.

Go to the Schengen visa application page

Go to the airport transit visa application page

If you can prove that you did not know that you would need to travel to the Netherlands when you left your country of residence, for example for medical treatment (for yourself or for an ill family member in the Netherlands), you can apply for a visa in the country you are currently in. 

Choose the country you now reside in on the page ‘Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa’ or ‘Applying for an airport transit visa’ to find out more about your nearest application location.

Go to the Schengen visa application page

Go to the airport transit visa application page

If your situation is not on the list, you can only apply for the visa at the location in your country of residence. This the case even if you:

  • cannot make an appointment/cannot make an appointment quickly enough to apply for a visa in your country of residence
  • have to travel a long distance to the application location(s) in your country of residence
  • do not want to apply for a visa at a location operated by another Schengen country.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.