Netherlands Visa From India – How to Apply for Dutch Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

The Netherlands may be one of the most well-known Schengen countries, especially for the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague, but there are plenty of other, off the beaten track, places that are good for exploring. For example, Arnhem has a lovely old town and lots of culture. There is also Hoge Veluwe national park with sand dunes galore or Keukenhof where you can find fields full of flowers at certain times of the year! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Netherlands visa from India, 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 a Netherlands visa application, and Netherlands visa application process in India.

Image by Helena Jankovičová Kováčová from Pixabay

Netherlands Schengen Visas

In 2021, 137,866 Netherlands visa applications were received and processed by embassies around the world. 18,409 were rejected. The Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi received and processed 10,373 applications and rejected 1,604.

Applying for a Netherlands Schengen Visa from India

Applying for a Netherlands visa is easy as long as you are either:

1. You are an Indian citizen or,
2. If you have a residence permit or visa to live in India, if you are a non-Indian national

The Embassy of the Netherlands is responsible for making decisions about visa applications, but VFS Global receives applications on the embassy’s behalf. This means that you will submit your application to one of the VFS offices located across India (see below for contact details).

Visa applications are processed by the embassy within 15 days from the date they receive your application from VFS Global. You can apply up to 6 months before your trip and it is your responsibility to apply in plenty of time.

Types of Schengen visas offered at The Embassy of the Netherlands in India

There are different visas you can apply for based on how long you want to stay and your reason for traveling to the Netherlands:

1. Schengen visa – if you want to visit the Netherlands for 90 days or less for business, conference, visiting relatives/friends, tourism & religious reasons
2. Long-stay visa – if you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. You may have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).  These visas are typically issued for employment, study/training, family reunion etc. See the embassy’s website for more information
3. Airport transit visa – if you want to transfer at an airport in the Netherlands

How Can I Apply for a Netherlands Schengen Visa from VFS Global in India?

To apply for your visa, you should follow these steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Prepare your documents
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Visit a Visa Application Center
5. Step 5 – Track your application
6. Step 6 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”:

Go to “step 1 – identify visa type” and click on the link for visa category:

Select the visa you are applying for:

You will then be presented with information regarding fees, required documents, photo specifications and processing time. There is also an overview of the types of visas which you should read in full:

The requirements for each type of visa are different, so make sure you know what you need to submit before attending your appointment with VFS Global.

Step 2 – Prepare your documents

The first thing to do here is to complete your application form. Go to “step 2” and click on the link:

You will be directed to the embassy’s website. Click on “Schengen Visa”:

Scroll down and click on “short-stay visa (90 days or less)”:

On the next page, scroll down to the bottom and click on “log in/register to fill out this application form”:

Click on “sign up now” to create an account:

You will receive a link to verify your account. Once you have done that, you can log in to complete the application. You will need to print the completed form to sign it before submitting it to VFS Global.

Documents Required

After you have completed the application form, it’s time to prepare the rest of the required documents. Go to VFS Global’s website for document checklists. You can refer to these checklists and confirm whether you have everything by checking the boxes. You should also submit photocopies along with original documents.

Documents include:

1. Application form – fully completed and signed
   
2. Passport/travel document valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of return, issued within the last 10 years, not valid for more than 10 years and with at least 2 blank pages available
3. A copy of all pages of the passport
4. Evidence of legal residence in the country you are applying from – residence permit/ work permit (if applicable)
5. One recent passport-size photograph – no older than 6 months (see full photograph specifications)
6. Previous passport also required
7. Flight reservation – return ticket. If you are traveling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental
8. Hotel reservations, rental of holiday home or campus residence reservation. If you are staying with a family member or a friend, proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation from the host
9. Certificate of the travel agency confirming the booking of an organised trip indicating the travel plans
10. Marriage certificate
11. Proof of financial means – bank statements for the last 3 months; Indian income tax return for the last two assessment years; if employed: payslips for the last three months, employment contract & employer’s approval for holidays; If retired: pension statements for the last three months and/or proof of other income
    
12. Overseas medical travel insurance valid for all Schengen countries for the whole duration of your stay with a minimum cover of 30,000 Euros to cover hospital care, emergency
    treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death)
13. A visa, residence permit or passport which gives entry to your final destination after your visit to the Schengen area (if applicable)
    
14. Invitation letter from employer/host if being invited to the Netherlands

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:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3 – Book 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 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:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. 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
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “start now”
2. Go to “step 3” and click on the link to schedule an appointment at the VFS visa application center
3. Create an account and then log in
4. Make your appointment
5. Receive an e-mail confirming your appointment, with a confirmation letter attached

Step 4 – Visit a visa application center

When you attend VFS Global for your appointment:

1. Arrive in time for your appointment (15 minutes beforehand)
2. You must submit your application in person
3. You will need a printed copy of your visa application, as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides
4. You must take a complete set of all supporting documents (an original and a copy for each document). You are not required to submit a photo for a short-stay Schengen visa application. Your digital photo can be taken at your appointment
5. If you have not paid your visa fee online, you can pay your fee at the center
6. You will also provide biometric information collection. A digital finger scanner collects images of all 10 digits, and you will have a digital photo taken. Without biometrics, your visa application will not be processed

You may also be asked questions about your application. Typical questions include:

1. Do you have a job in the Netherlands?
2. Are you traveling alone?
3. What will you do when you return to India?
4. How many children do you have?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Step 5 – Track your application

You will be notified when a decision has been reached, however, you can track your application in the meantime. Go to “step 5” and click on the link:

On the next page, click on the link:

Use the reference number and your last name to access this service:

Step 6 – Collect your passport

There are different reasons why an application may get rejected:

1. Passport is not valid for 3 months after your return to India – your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your trip. If it does not, you must get a new one before applying for your visa
2. Proof of sponsorship not included – if you are being sponsored to go to the Netherlands, you must provide proof of this
3. You already have a valid Schengen visa – remember, Schengen visas are valid for 90 days. If you have a previous visa, it may still be valid. Check this before you go through the application process
4. No bank statements – you must provide bank statements to prove that you can afford your trip

Visa fees

COVID Regulations

You may only enter the Netherlands if you’re fully vaccinated. For more information on entry requirements, go to the government of the Netherlands website.

How to contact VFS Global in India

Helpline

Please contact VFS Global for any information regarding the Netherlands visa process:

Phone: 022 67866007 between 08:00 and 17:00, from Monday to Friday

Conclusion

To apply for a Netherlands visa from the Embassy of the Netherlands in India, follow these simple steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Prepare your documents
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Visit a Visa Application Center
5. Step 5 – Track your application
6. Step 6 – Collect your passport