Overview of the Netherlands
The Netherlands, often referred to as Holland, is a Northwestern European country bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest. With a population of approximately 17.4 million, it is one of the most densely populated countries globally. The official language is Dutch, but a significant portion of the population is proficient in English. The capital city, Amsterdam, is renowned for its historic canals, art museums, and vibrant cultural scene. Other major cities include Rotterdam, known for having the largest port in Europe, and The Hague, which hosts numerous international courts and organizations. The Netherlands was among the original signatories of the Schengen Agreement in 1985, with the treaty’s implementation in 1995 marking its official entry into the Schengen Area
Netherlands Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for the Netherlands includes third country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to the Netherlands/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to the Netherlands:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Netherlands Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Netherlands Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It’s advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Netherlands Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Netherlands Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of your application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, it’s recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
- Notification of Changes: If there are any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your visa application, you must inform the Dutch consulate or visa application center promptly. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your visa.
- Visa Validity and Entry: Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into the Netherlands or the Schengen Area. Border authorities have the final decision on entry, and you may be required to provide additional documentation at the point of entry.
- Additional Documentation: Be prepared to present documents that verify your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in the Netherlands.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to consult the official Dutch consulate or embassy in your country before planning your trip.
