Plan your Netherlands application

The country-of-residence selector determines where you submitSee the common routes, understand the hand-offs, then confirm every requirement on the official website.

01 / ROUTES

Choose the route that matches your trip

These are starting points—not an eligibility decision. Open the official route before you apply.

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Short-stay Schengen visa
Visits up to 90 days when the Netherlands is the main destination.
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Airport transit visa
For travellers who need permission to remain in the international transit zone.
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MVV and residence permit
For many stays over 90 days, after the IND residence process.

02 / JOURNEY

What the application journey usually looks like

The exact order can vary by visa, nationality and application location. “If asked” steps are conditional.

01
Choose the Dutch route
Confirm short stay, transit, or a long-stay residence route.
02
Select country of residence
NetherlandsWorldwide uses residence country to show the correct location.
GUIDELENS HELPS HERE
03
Complete the online form
Complete the Ministry of Foreign Affairs online form where applicable.
04
Book the named location
Use the embassy, representing Schengen state, VFS or TLS named officially.
IF ASKED
05
Submit & give biometrics
Attend with the required documents and biometrics.
06
Collect visa or MVV sticker
Follow the decision or IND letter for collection and travel.

03 / BEFORE YOU START

Four things to know before you start

Online form: The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal supports short-stay and airport-transit forms.
Where to apply: The location can be a Dutch mission, another representing Schengen mission, VFS Global or TLScontact.
Country of residence: You normally apply in your country of legal residence, subject to stated exceptions.
Over 90 days: After IND residence approval, the letter tells you where to apply for the MVV sticker if required.

04 / PRACTICAL GUIDE

Netherlands-specific visa notes

The Dutch workflow is especially dependent on your country of residence and whether you need a short-stay visa or an MVV.

01
Select country of residence before booking
NetherlandsWorldwide uses this selection to identify the nearest authorised submission location and its exact appointment process.
NetherlandsWorldwide · Where to apply ↗
02
Use the Ministry’s online form
The official portal provides forms for short-stay Schengen and airport-transit visas; create an account and select the correct application.
NetherlandsWorldwide · Application forms ↗
03
MVV follows the residence decision
For many stays over 90 days, the IND residence procedure comes first. After approval, the IND letter says where the MVV sticker is collected.
NetherlandsWorldwide · Long stay and MVV ↗
04
Keep the Schengen rule in view
For a multi-country trip, apply to the country that is the main purpose or longest stay. Use the first country only when stays are equal. The 90 days in any 180-day period are counted across the whole Schengen area.
European Commission · Applying for a Schengen visa ↗

05 / PREPARE

Information worth gathering before you open the form

Not every item applies to every route. Use the official checklist generated for your application.

Passport and previous travel-document details
Travel dates, itinerary and accommodation
Travel medical insurance for the Schengen stay
Evidence of funds and the purpose of the trip
Employment, study or sponsor information where relevant
Translations and route-specific documents requested locally

06 / OFFICIAL

Continue with the official authority

View current requirementsNetherlandsWorldwide — visas for the Netherlands

You remain responsible for reviewing and submitting your application.

Select country of residence before booking

Use the Ministry’s online form

MVV follows the residence decision

Keep the Schengen rule in view