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

The Netherlands has so many cities and towns with plenty of things to see and do. The capital of this Schengen country – Amsterdam – is the place where everyone starts their journey. With a buzzing atmosphere, exciting attractions and delicious food, it’s hard to leave. But, don’t miss other highlights like the maritime area of Rotterdam or the windmills in the Zaan region! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Netherlands visa from Nigeria, Netherlands visa appointment booking, processing time at the Netherlands visa application centre, 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 Nigeria.

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Netherlands Schengen Visas

In 2020, 169,926 visa applications were received for the Netherlands by embassies around the world. 27,921 (16.8%) were denied.

Applying for a Netherlands Schengen Visa from Nigeria

To apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa from Nigeria, there are two places where you can submit your visa application to.

If you live in: Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, FCT Abuja, Yobe, Zamafara, The Belgian Embassy in Abuja processes visa applications and you will submit your application to TLS Contact in Abuja or Lagos Victoria Island.

If you live in any other state, you need to submit a visa application along with supporting documents to VFS Global in Abuja or Lagos and the Consulate General of France in Lagos will process the application.

Types of Schengen visas available

There are 3 types of visas available:

1. Short-stay visa for tourism, business and family trips etc., for up to 90 days
2. Airport transit visa if you will remain in the international zone of the airport while you wait for a connecting flight
3. Long-stay visa for tourism, to carry out a professional activity, education or to join family members for over 90 days

It is important that you apply for the correct type of visa, otherwise, your application could be rejected.

Applying for a Netherlands Schengen Visa in Nigeria?

If you are applying through VFS Global, you can confirm the correct type of visa for you, by going to VFS Global’s website and clicking on “start now”:

Then, under Step 1, click on the link for France Visas:

On France Visas website, you can use their Visa wizard which will also tell you what documents must be enclosed with your application, along with the relevant fee.

Click on: “Do you need a visa”:

Just key in the requested information and you will know which visa you need to apply for:

Complete your application with VFS Global

On the FRANCE-VISAS website, click on “2. Start your visa application”:

Read the instructions and click on: “Access the visa application”:

Create an account and then log in to complete your application:

Answer the questions online (your visa application form will be automatically filled in and available for printing). At the end of the visa application form filling process, a list of supporting documents and the visa fees will be displayed. Then you are invited to click on the France-Visas page to get the necessary information regarding appointments.

Complete your application with TLS Contact

The visa application form must be completed on Visa on Web. Go to TLS Contact’s website and click on the link under “step 2”:

Register as a new user before logging in to Visa on Web:

You should complete and print your application prior to booking an appointment. However, you should wait to sign in as you must do this when you attend your appointment, in front of the visa official.

Create your TLS Contact account

If you are submitting your application to TLS Contact, you’ll need to create a TLS Contact account. Go to TLS Contact’s website and click on the link under “step 3”:

Then, complete your information and click on “create”:

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:

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

Appointment booking with VFS Global

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on the link under “Step 3 – Book an appointment”
2. Click on the option that applies to you
3. If you have already filled in an application form on France-Visas website, click on the link (if not, follow the instructions that are relevant to you
4. Register as a new user
5. Log in to make a convenient appointment

Appointment booking with TLS Contact

Log into your account and choose a date and time to submit your application. Do not forget to print out your notification as it will be required when you visit the visa application center.

Attend your appointment

At VFS Global

You must appear in person to submit your application to VFS Global. On the day of your appointment remember the following things:

1. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
2. You must attend the appointment for your visa application in person

You will also submit biometric information which is a scan of your fingerprints and a photograph. Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed.

Remember to take the following items:

1. Letter confirming the details of your appointment
2. Valid passport or travel documents
3. Printout of your completed France-Visas application form along with its receipt
4. The France-Visas form and receipt are obtained after completing your application
5. All supporting documents
6. If you have purchased additional services online, the printout of your receipt

At TLS Contact

Please arrive on time for your appointment with the confirmation letter. If you are late, you may be required to make a new appointment.

At your appointment:

1. An extensive range of Added Value Services is available (click on the link for more information)
2. Your application and supporting documents will be checked
3. Your biometric data will be taken – fingerprints and photograph
4. The visa and service fees are paid
5. Your application is transferred to the Belgium Embassy for decision making

You can track your application at any time by logging in to your personal account.

As part of the appointment, you may also be asked questions about your trip to the Netherlands. If this happens, simply answer honestly. Example questions include:

1. Who are you traveling with?
2. Are you going to return to Nigeria? When?
3. What do you know about the Netherlands?
4. What do you do in Nigeria?

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

Tracking your application

If you are applying to VFS Global, you can track the progress of your application. If you wish to do this, click here.

Collect your passport

VFS Global

After your passport has been returned to VFS Global, it will then be sent to your home address via courier.

TLS Contact

After the embassy has made a decision on your visa application, your passport will be returned to TLS Contact and you will be notified by text.

You can collect your passport in person or have it returned by express courier for an additional cost.

The decision will be either:

1. Approved – your visa will be inside your passport
2. Rejected – this would have been for a specific reason and you can appeal the decision

If your application has been accepted, the visa will be attached to one of the pages in your passport. If it is rejected, you will be told the reason why. There are many reasons why a visa application is rejected including:

1. Travel insurance not sufficient – it is a mandatory requirement that the travel insurance has a minimum cover of 30,000 Euros
2. The embassy has doubts that you will not return to Nigeria – you can only stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days (or longer if you have the correct visa), so you must be clear about your intention to return to your home country
3. Documents missing – you must provide all the documents that are required for your visa application
4. Fake documents – don’t be tempted to provide false documents. If you have any concerns, please speak to VFS Global or TLS Contact

Supporting documents

Check what documents are required before you apply for your visa.

Document checklists are available on TLS Contact’s and France-Visa’s websites, so take a look at these before submitting your application.

You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too!

Documents include:

1. A fully completed and signed application form
2. Passport photo according to photograph specifications  (colour, 35×45 mm & less than 6 months old)
3. Passport (at least 2 free pages, not older than 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the duration of the visa)
4. If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country (e.g. residence permit)
5. Purpose of travel/stay – reservation confirmation of an organised trip or any other document describing the planned programme or travel itinerary
6. Accommodation – reservation of a hotel 
7. Proof of the means of transport – round trip airline ticket reservation
8. Travel, health and accident insurance (minimum coverage € 30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention or emergency hospital treatment & valid for the Schengen area
9. Socio-professional situation – employment contract, certificate of employment, extract from the trade and companies’ register, school attendance certificate, proof of pension) and any documents demonstrating the applicant’s personal links to the country of residence (e.g. copy of marriage certificate, family record book).
10. A letter of invitation stating name, address, relationship to host and duration of stay
11. Proof of sufficent funds  – 3 x bank statements
12. Parents authority for underage children traveling alone

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

Visa fees

VFS Global