How to Apply for Netherlands Schengen Visa from Canada in 5 Easy Steps – A Complete Guide
What Schengen country do you think of when you think of canals and bridges? Well, there is more than 1 country in Europe, but one that may spring to mind is the Netherlands. Both Amsterdam and Rotterdam are fabulous cities to explore and both have their fair share of canals and bridges. It’s such a joy to wander along the small streets and city by the water with a refreshing beer. Let’s not forget the colourful flower display when thousands of tulips come into bloom across the country. It’s a country you’ll visit again and again! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Netherlands visa at the Dutch Embassy in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Canada, Netherlands visa appointment booking, processing time at the Netherlands visa application center, flight itinerary for a Netherlands visa, hotel bookings for a Netherlands visa, Schengen travel insurance for Netherlands visa application, and Netherlands visa application process at the Dutch Embassy in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton.
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/skyline-downtown-cityscape-edmonton-1548374/
Netherlands Schengen Visa
In 2018, embassies and consulates of the Netherlands received 682,382 visa applications and rejected 86,123 (12.6%). The Dutch Embassy in Ottawa received 444 applications and rejected 5 (1.1%). The Consulate General in Toronto received 747 applications and rejected 27 (3.6%). The Consulate General in Vancouver received 536 applications and rejected 8 (1.5%).
Applying for a Schengen Visa from Canada
If you are a Canadian citizen, you are permitted to visit the Netherlands for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you are a non-Canadian citizen, you need a visa to be able to enter and stay in the Netherlands regardless of how long you are going for. It’s easy to apply from Canada, you just need to prove that you can stay in the country legally.
Where to apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa
You may apply for a Schengen visa at the following places:
- The Dutch Embassy in Ottawa
- The Consulate General of the Netherlands in Toronto
- The Consulate General of the Netherlands in Vancouver
- VFS Global based in Toronto, Vancouver, or Edmonton
Types of Schengen visas offered by the Dutch Embassy in Ottawa and the Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver
There are 3 types of visas you may apply for and the one you choose will depend on the reason and duration of your trip:
- Short-stay Schengen visa for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends and airport transit for up to 90 days
- Short-stay Caribbean visa if you want to apply for a visa to visit Aruba, Curaçao or the other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for up to 90 days,
- Long-stay visa (MVV) if you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days for employment, study, family reasons, residence etc. You may also need a residence permit, so check the embassy’s website for further information. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV)
How to Apply for a Netherlands Schengen Visa in Canada
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance. In most cases, a decision about your visa application will be within 15 calendar days. Please note, in some cases, it can take up to 30 days if more time is needed, and up to 60 days in exceptional cases, for example, if extra documents are required. The best thing to do is to apply as soon as possible.
Here are 5 easy steps to follow to help you apply for your visa:
Step 1: Complete your application form
Regardless of which visa office you are applying to, you can access the online application form by going to the Dutch Embassy’s website and clicking on: “Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa”:
Then, key in the country you are applying for – in this case – Canada:
Scroll down to: “What do I need to do” and you will find the link for the online system:
Click on: “Start application”:
Then you will be able to complete your application form. Once you have finished, print it off and sign it, so you can hand it over to the visa office when you attend your appointment:
If you are applying for a long-stay visa, you choose: “Applying for a long-stay visa instead, scroll down to “Applying for a residence permit and an MVV” and click on: “Applying yourself at an embassy or consulate”:
Click on: “What documents should I take to my appointment” and you’ll find the link for the MVV Issue form:
Then, you can download the form to complete and sign:
Step 2: Make an appointment
Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
- Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
- Receive appointment confirmation in email
You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.
For appointments at the embassy or consulate general:
- Go to the embassy’s website
- Scroll down to: “Applications at the Dutch embassy or consulate general”
- Click on the link to make an appointment online
- Click on: “Schedule appointment”
- Choose which visa office you wish to submit your application to
- Choose the number of applicants and the correct type of visa you are applying for
- Key in your details and continue
- You’ll then be able to make a convenient appointment
If you are applying to VFS Global
- Go to their website and click on: “Schedule an appointment”
- Click on the link for one application
- Create a new account
- Log in and you’ll be able to make a convenient appointment. Remember to print off the appointment letter as you will need to submit this along with your other documentation
Step 3: Prepare your documents
You will find handy checklists on the embassy’s website, so check these before you start to prepare your documents. If you fail to provide everything that is being asked for, your visa application will probably be rejected.
You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too!
Documents include:
- A completed and signed application form
- Photograph which meets certain specifications
- Passport or other travel document valid for at least 3 months from the date you intend to leave the Schengen area. It must also contain at least 2 blank pages and have been issued less than 10 years ago
- A copy of all pages of passport
- Valid Canadian permanent residence or visa (valid for at least three months after the date of re-entry or travel reservation (plane/train ticket) and relevant visa or travel document authorizing entry into country of destination
- Round-trip travel reservation or other proof of intended transport and full itinerary
- Proof of accommodation such as confirmed hotel reservations, stating name, address and telephone number of the hotel, including confirmation number or the letter of the travel agency (for groups) or other proof of accommodation (e.g. rental agreement)
- Letter of invitation from the person hosting you or hotel reservation or reservation for a similar establishment
- Proof of funds such as 3 months bank statements, credit card including statement, traveller’s cheques, salary slips, certificate of employment, proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation
- Travelling for the purpose of business – letter stating that all expenses are fully covered
- Schengen Travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen area and for the duration of your stay for at least €30,000 for medical costs including hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death)
- Letter of acceptance from the educational institution indicating entitlement to admission and details on course being undertaken
- Parental consent (if the applicant is a minor)
- A visa, residence permit or passport which gives entry to your final destination after your visit to the Schengen area
- Letter from the home institution on enrolment and a letter from the receiving institution on the length and purpose of stay (if you plan to study)
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 4: Attend your appointment
When your appointment day arrives, remember to:
- Arrive early- you should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment. If you are late, you will have to make a new appointment
- Remember all your paperwork – if you don’t submit all the required documents, your visa application may be rejected
- Dress the part – do not turn up in shorts if you want to make a good impression
The visa officer will ask you questions if he/she wants to clarify any of the information you have stated in your application. Don’t worry if this happens, just smile and answer honestly
Typical questions could be:
- Is this your first time applying for a Schengen visa?
- What are you planning on doing in the Netherlands or the EU?
- Do you have any children?
- Are you meeting anyone in the Netherlands?
- What did you say you do in Canada?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
The visa fee is paid in Canadian dollars. You can pay by credit or debit card if you are submitting your application to VFS Global. There is also a service fee of 43.50 CAD which must be paid to VFS. If you are submitting your application to the embassy or consulate general you should check with their office as to what payment methods are available. Visa fees are non-refundable whatever the outcome of the application.
Type of visa | Fee |
Schengen visa/Caribbean visa – up to 90 days | 90 CAD/€60 |
Long-stay visa – over 90 days | Depends on the type of visa. See the embassy/consulate’s website |
Child between 6-12 years of age | 52 CAD/€35 |
Children under the age of six | Free |
You will also provide a scan of your fingerprints and a photograph if this is your first time applying for a visa. If you have done so before, as long as your new application is within 5 years, this data can be reused.
Step 5: Receive your visa
If you have submitted your application to the embassy or consulate general, they cannot communicate as to the status of your application. You will be notified via e-mail about the decision of your visa, and when to collect your passport. You can choose to have your passport shipped to your home address if you provide a prepaid self-addressed traceable envelope/label. For further information about mailing click here.
If you have submitted your application to VFS Global, you can track your application.
- Go to their website and click on: “Track your application”:
- Click on the link
- Key in your reference number and last name and submit
The decision will be either:
- Approved – your visa will be inside your passport
- Rejected – this would have been for a specific reason
Common rejection reasons include:
- Proof of residence not provided – you must be able to prove that you have a legal right to reside in Canada, so you must bring a valid visa or residence permit to your appointment
- No invitation letter – if you are being invited by a person or company in the Netherlands, you must provide an invitation letter
- Passport invalid – if your passport is invalid in any way (see above requirements) you must obtain a new one before applying for your visa
- Photograph (s) do not meet requirements – the photos you provide must meet certain specifications (see above). If not, the visa office will not accept them
Contact details of the Dutch Embassy in Ottawa
Address: Henk van der Zwan, 350 Albert Street, Suite 2020, K1R 1A4 Ottawa, ON
Tel: (+1)6132375031
Fax:(+1) 6132376471
Email: ott@minbuza.nl
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8.30 am – 12.00 pm; Monday to Friday: 8.30 am – 12.00 pm (Collection of documents)
Contact details of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Toronto
Address: Anne Le Guellec, 1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2106, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3
Tel: (+1)4165982534
Fax:(+1)4165988064
Email: tor@minbuza.nl
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm; Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm (Collection of documents)
Contact details of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Vancouver
Address: Three Bentall Centre, Suite 883, PO Box 49068, 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1C4
Tel: +1-604-684-6448
Fax: (+1)4165988064
Email: van@minbuza.nl
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9.15 am – 12.15 pm; Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm (Collection of documents)
Contact details of VFS Global in Toronto
Address: Unit 402, 4th Floor, 208 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
Telephone: 1-587-400-5580
Email: netherlands.canada@vfshelpline.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Submitting documents); Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Passport Collection)
Contact details of VFS Global in Edmonton
Address: Unit 531, 10060 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB
Telephone: 1-587-400-5580
Email: netherlands.canada@vfshelpline.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Submitting documents); Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Passport Collection)
Contact details of VFS Global in Vancouver
Address: Unit 440, 4th Floor, 580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC
Telephone: 1-587-400-5580
Email: netherlands.canada@vfshelpline.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Submitting documents); Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4.00 pm (Passport Collection)
Conclusion
To apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands, follow these simple steps:
- Complete your application online or download it
- Make an appointment
- Prepare your documents
- Attend your appointment
- Receive your visa
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.
See Also
Apply for Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Austria Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa from Montreal, Canada
Apply for Czech Republic Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
Apply for Denmark Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
Apply for Estonia Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
Apply for Finland Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for France Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Germany Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Greece Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Hungary Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Iceland Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Italy Schengen Visa from Canada
Apply for Latvia Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
Apply for Liechtenstein Schengen Visa from Ottawa, Canada
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