Visa
You may require a visa in order to visit the Netherlands for a short period of time (maximum of three months) depending on your nationality. This procedure takes time, so book your travels after you are certain that a visa has been granted.
Visa requirement
Foreign nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland are exempt from the visa requirement. There are also some nationalities outside the EU who do not require a visa. For a list of countries who require a short-stay visa refer to the IND brochure.
Where to apply
Foreign nationals need to apply for tourist visas at the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of origin. A tourist visa is a sticker issued by the embassy or consulate which is pasted into your passport.
Visiting a knowledge migrant
Those visiting a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands may require a tourist visa. As a highly skilled migrant, you will have to sign a declaration stating that you are personally acquainted with the visitor. Such a declaration is called a garantverklaring, and without this your visitor will not be able to apply for a visa.
Authentication
In some cases, the person signing the declaration must authenticate their signature.
Staying longer than three months
Staying in the Netherlands for longer than three months is no longer considered a tourist stay. To stay longer than three months, you are required to apply for a temporary residence permit (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, MVV). For more information see the contacts below.
Contacts
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken)
Website: www.minbuza.nl
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie en naturalisatiedienst, IND)
Website: www.english.ind.nl
Further information
If you require further information, call the city information number 14 020 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:00).
- Tell a friend
You can also reach us by phone:
+31 (0)20 254 79 99