Netherlands Tourist Visa for Indians

Formerly known as Holland, the Netherlands is a beautiful European country located in the north-western region of the continent. A part of the Schengen Area, the country is known for its windmills, cycling routes, canals, Canalside mansions, and of course, the world-renowned Tulip Festival. As holders of the Indian passport, you must obtain a Netherlands Visa for Indians visiting the country.

Depending on your purpose of visit, you can choose between a short stay visa (single, double, and multiple entries), an airport transit visa, and a long-term visa (1 year, 3 years, and 5 years).

This post will mainly discuss the process and requirements for applying for and obtaining single and multiple Netherlands Tourist Visas from India.

As an Indian, you require a visa, as mentioned earlier, to visit the country for tourism purposes or to visit friends and family in the Netherlands.

Is the Netherlands Tourist Visa and Schengen Tourist Visa the same?

Well, yes. The Netherlands Tourist Visa for Indians and Schengen Visa are the same visas. It all depends on what you like to call it. Nonetheless, this is the visa you'll need if you plan to visit the Netherlands for tourism purposes.

After reading through this guide, you'll be able to easily apply for your next Netherlands Visa for Indians.

Here's what I'll cover in the post:

• General Information About The Netherlands Schengen Visa
• What Are The Required Documents For The Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• How To Apply For The Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• How To Get The Netherlands Schengen Visa Without Effort?

Before jumping into the visa application and its requirements, let us address some of the most popular queries most people traveling to the Netherlands tend to inquire before applying for a Netherlands Tourist Visa from India.

• What Is The Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• Do I Need A Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• How Long Can I Stay In The Netherlands With A Schengen Visa?
• Where Can I Apply For The Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• What Is The Netherlands Schengen Visa Processing Time?
• When Must I Apply For My Netherlands Schengen Visa?
• How Much Is The Netherlands Schengen Visa Fee?
• What Are The Minimum Financial Requirements To Visit The Netherlands?
• Can I Travel To Other Schengen Countries With The Netherlands Schengen Visa?

If you already have a general understanding of the Netherlands Schengen Visa, feel free to skip to the required documents or the visa application process.

What Is The Netherlands Schengen Visa?

The Netherlands Schengen Visa for Indians, also known as the Netherlands Tourist Visa for Indians, allows you to enter the Netherlands for tourism purposes. Such purposes include vacation, site seeing, leisure, and so on.

Short business trips are also allowed under the Netherlands Schengen Visa. However, you can't work in the country. Acceptable business purposes include attending meetings, functions, meeting clients, etc.

If your trip to the Netherlands does not include tourism or business, you need to apply for another type of visa.

Quick note: Some travelers refer to the Netherlands Schengen Visa as the Netherlands Tourist Visa and Short-Stay Visa. These terms refer to a visa that allows you to enter the country (the only difference being the name). In this post, I'll use both these terms.

Do I Need A Netherlands Schengen Visa?

Yes. As a citizen of the Indian subcontinent, we must obtain a Tourist Visa before entering the Netherlands.

How Long Can I Stay In the Netherlands With A Schengen Visa?

The single-entry Schengen Visa allows you to visit the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days every 180 days. To calculate your stay in Schengen, you can use the Schengen Visa Calculator. Please note that you are not allowed to take up residence or work on a Schengen visa.

In some cases, you may only stay in the Netherlands for the duration specified in your visa application form. Therefore, always check the validity period on your visa sticker before traveling.

Remember:

Overstaying your welcome in the Netherlands can lead to heavy fines, jail time, and even a ban.

Where Can I Apply For The Netherlands Schengen Visa?

Although it was possible to apply for a Netherlands Visa for Indians at the Embassy and Consulate General of the Netherlands located across the country before, the application process is now majorly handled only by VFS Netherlands Visa for Indians application centers across the country.

You can book an appointment at the closest VFS center by registering online with VFS.

Additionally, here is a list of VFS Application Centers across India:

• Ahmedabad – Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
• Bangalore – Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:00
• Chennai – Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 13:00
• Hyderabad – Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 15:00
• Jalandhar – Monday and Wednesday, 09:00 to 18:00
• Kolkata – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 09:00 to 14:00
• Mumbai – Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00
• New Delhi – Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00

I have explained more on this below, so you can directly jump to the section of How To Apply For The Netherlands Schengen Visa?

What Is The Netherlands Schengen Visa Processing Time?

The usual processing time for Schengen visas is between 15 to 30 days. However, you can apply up to 6 months in advance.

When Must I Apply For My Netherlands Schengen Visa?

At the latest, you can start your visa application 15 days before your planned trip. However, sometimes it can take up to 45 days in case it is necessary to make a more detailed exam of the application.

Thus, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your trip. However, I recommend starting your application as soon as possible so you have enough time should something unexpected happen (like a longer visa processing time).

How Much Is The Netherlands Visa Fee?

You can expect to pay the following fees for your Netherlands Visa for Indians:

• For adults: INR 6700 | EUR 80
• For children 6 - 11 years: INR 3400 | EUR 40
• For children under 6 years: Free

Note: An important thing to know here is that holders of diplomatic and service passports and students and researchers traveling for research, or educational training do not need to pay the visa fee (to be evaluated case per case). The same applies to non-profit organizations' representatives aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events by non-profit organizations.

What Are The Minimum Financial Requirements To Visit the Netherlands?

You'll find that all Schengen Member States have their own minimum financial requirements when visiting. This requirement has been implemented to ensure that visitors have the financial means to support themselves during their stay.

According to the information provided by the European Commission, a foreign national who wants to enter the territory of the Netherlands while applying for a Netherlands Visa for Indians needs to attest owning 34 EUR per day for the period of stay to the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate.

Additionally, your bank statement should also show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months.

Remember, this is only the minimum amount. Your visa application will look much more compelling if you prove you have more finances. Anything within INR 8 to 10 lacs should solidify your application even further.

Can I Travel To Other Schengen Countries With The Netherlands Visa?

You can travel to any Schengen States with your Netherlands Visa for Indians. However, in your application, you must clearly state that you plan to travel to other countries.

You can visit the following Schengen Member States with your Netherlands Tourist Visa for Indians:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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Now that you have a general understanding of the Netherlands Visa for Indians, we can look at its requirements and application process.

One of the first things you would need to do before you begin the application process is to ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready to be presented at the visa center. The VFS Netherlands Visa for Indians Application Center provides a Document checklist for Schengen Tourist Visa.

Here are the documents you'll need to submit to the Embassy:

• A duly completed The Netherlands Visa for Indians Application form to be filled online, downloaded, printed, and signed.
• One passport photo of yourself. It must meet the requirements set out by the Netherlands.
• A valid passport or travel document with at least two blank pages. It must be valid for 3 months after your trip's end and issued no later than 10 years ago.
• Schengen Travel Insurance/Medical Insurance provides a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 and is valid for the entire duration of travel. The insurance must cover the entire Schengen area and not just the Netherlands. Also, Travel Insurance must cover all COVID-19-related health emergencies.
• Proof of accommodation. This can be private accommodation, a rental agreement, hotel reservations, etc. Still, it has to cover the duration of the whole stay and all the Schengen countries you plan to visit other than the Netherlands. If you have booked a packaged tour, attach a detailed travel itinerary.
• Proof of financial funds. This includes a cover letter as well as a bank statement of the last 3 months, stamped and signed by your bank manager, a copy of Income Tax Department Return + ITR V acknowledgment of the previous financial year, and a signed and stamped leave permission from your employer.
• Proof of employment/studies on official letterhead, stamped and dated; containing contact information (address, email, telephone number) as well as the countersigning officer's name, position, and signature. In addition, the letter must state the name and position of the applicant, salary, years of employment/studies, and approval of absence/position after leave. For unemployment: unemployment certificate and proof of income, if any (married: employment certificate of spouse, a document of the income of the spouse, and a marriage certificate).
• A return flight ticket that proves you plan to return to your home country.
• A cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip, what you plan to do, and when you'll return home. Basically, it just proves the purpose of your trip.
• Your employment status.

Document Requirements Depending On Employment Status

• If you are self-employed, you need to present a copy of your business license in India, company income tax returns for the past two years, and a copy of the company's bank statement for the past 3 months, signed and stamped by the bank manager.
• If you own a business in India, you need to present the certificate of registration of the company (Form B, rule 5(1) or Form ST3, rule 11)
• If you are a student, you have to present a copy of the enrolment paper that serves as proof that the applicant has planned to study in that school/university and a copy of the No Objection Certificate from the respective school or university.
• If you are salaried, proof of employment/studies on official letterhead, stamped and dated; containing contact information (address, email, telephone number) as well as the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. The letter must state the name and position of the applicant, salary, years of employment/studies, and approval of absence/position after leave.
• If unemployed, unemployment certificate and proof of income, if any (married: employment certificate of spouse, a document of the income of the spouse, and a marriage certificate).

What Are The COVID-19 Required Documents?

Covid requirements and protocols can change without notice. For this reason, I can't specify the exact documents you require as they might have already changed.

One thing I can include is that you must have fully recovered from COVID-19 in the past 6 months or be fully vaccinated against the virus. Keep in mind that only approved vaccinations will allow entry into the Netherlands.

You won't be able to visit the Netherlands with only a negative COVID-19 test result.

You now know the documents you must submit for a successful Netherlands Visa application. Next, I'll walk you through the steps you need to take when you start your application.

• Step 1 - Collect The Required Documents
• Step 2 - Fill In Your Schengen Visa Application Form
• Step 3 - Find Where You Need To Apply At
• Step 4 - Schedule Your Visa Appointment
• Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Appointment
• Step 6 - Receive Feedback From The Embassy

Step 1 - Collect The Required Documents

Start collecting the required documents first.

Why?

It's the most time-consuming part of the process. However, doing this first will allow you to leave enough time for unexpected delays, such as collecting an incorrect document, finding accommodation, etc.

When gathering all your required documents, list what you need to get, it's the easiest way to keep track of the documents you've collected.

Step 2 - Fill In Your Schengen Visa Application Form

Okay, so you've got all the required documents.

Now, fill out the Netherlands Visa for Indians Application Form. Remember, all the information you provide must be correct and accurate.

The form is self-explanatory, but ensure you fill in all the details carefully. Once done, download, print, and sign the form.

Quick tip: Keep your passport close when filling out your visa application form. Always refer to your passport when entering your personal details.

Did you know:

Most visa applications get denied due to incorrect information on a visa application form. Here's a guide highlighting the mistakes you should avoid when applying for your Schengen Visa.

Step 3 - Find Where You Need To Apply At

As I mentioned, not all countries have a local Netherlands representative. Therefore, you should always check where you need to apply before submitting your application.

Step 4 - Schedule Your Visa Appointment

After you've determined where you need to apply, you must schedule a visa appointment.

Be mindful that you might not find an appointment time suitable to your needs. As a result, you may have to keep your schedule open for the next few weeks, or at least until you find an appointment. This is another reason you should start your visa application procedure at the earliest to receive your visa in time for your travel.

Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Appointment

On the day of your appointment, visit the visa application center at the scheduled time. Arrive at least half an hour early in case there is a rush at the center and make sure you carry all the documents with you.

Once the visa officer checks your document, they might interview you for a short while, but there is nothing to be nervous about. Answer each question truthfully, and it should be okay.

Quick tip: You can use your required documents to support your answers. For example, you can present your proof of accommodation should they ask where you plan to stay in the Netherlands.

After attending your interview and submitting your documents, you'll be requested to submit your biometric information.

What's that?

It's just your fingerprints and a digital photo of yourself. This is not required if you've been to the Schengen Area in the last 59 months.

Step 6 - Receive Feedback From The Embassy

After completing steps 1 - 5, you're basically done. The only thing left is to wait for your visa to be processed. As mentioned, this can take between 15 - 30 days.

After it's processed, you'll receive feedback from the visa application center via email, a call, SMS, or your preferred contact method. For example, you can Track Your Application here.

If your visa is approved, you can travel back to the visa application center to collect your passport. Attached inside, you'll find your brand new Netherlands Schengen Visa.

Now, if you are someone who values your time and energy, we've got some great news for you! You don't need to read through this entire guide on getting the Netherlands Schengen Visa. Instead, all you need to do is download Atlys and use it to complete your application for you.

With Atlys, you can immediately start your next Netherlands Tourist Visa for Indians application. A benefit of Atlys is that you don't need to stress about the visa application process and everything it entails. All you need to do is select a destination and travel date and enter your relevant details. Afterward, Atlys will do all the tedious paperwork for you. With Atlys, you can receive your next Tourist Visa in no time!

Now you know how to apply for your Netherlands Visa for Indians!

Ensure that you follow my exact steps, and you'll have your Netherlands Tourist Visa from India in no time. The final step is to make some unforgettable memories in the Netherlands!

Enjoy.