Here’s What You Need to Apply for a Schengen Visa in The Netherlands

By, TRWCBlogger

• 13 Views
• 4 Min Read
• (0) Comment

The Netherlands is popular for its numerous windmills scattered across the country which have been in existence since the 1850s and are over a thousand in number.

The country, with Amsterdam as its capital, is also popular for its tulips. It is home to numerous tourist attractions including the Amsterdam Canals which is a popular tourist site.

It is a safe country that allows foreigners access to its resources including work, education and tourism. As a non-citizen, you will require a visa before you are permitted to cross their border. The type of visa you apply for depends on what you want to do in their country.

Most of the time, visa applications to the Netherlands are coordinated by VFS Global. This company is in charge of the initial applications and then recommends to the authorities those who have met the qualifications and have the right documents. Note that appointments to VFS Global are free.

Fun fact: If you are a citizen of any country in the EU, you do not require a visa to enter the Netherlands. You only need your passport or any other form of identification.

What is a Schengen Visa?

The Netherlands Schengen visa is a visa that allows you to stay in the country for a short while. If you plan on going to the Netherlands for a short stay, this is the kind of visa you should apply for.

This visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days (three months) within any period of 180 days. Regardless of what you intend to do for those months (tourism, research or education), this visa permits you to stay in the country for that period of time.

The fun thing about a Schengen visa is that not only can you pass through and remain in the Dutch territory but you also have access to all other Schengen states for the same period of time.

If you plan on visiting more than one Schengen country, you need to apply to the country where you will be staying the longest. If the stay in each country is the same, you need to apply to the country you will arrive in first.

Documents Required for A Schengen Visa

If you want to apply for a short-term Schengen visa, there are many documents you need to present alongside your Schengen visa application form.

The documents required include:

1. A valid passport

You must present your passport. This passport must still be valid and must not be older than ten years. It must have a validity of not less than three months to your departure to the Netherlands.

You will also need to provide a copy of the pages of your passport. Sometimes, you will be required to present copies of your old visas but this is only when applicable.

2. Passport photographs

They must be clear and recent. They should not be older than 90 days and should resemble you. Ensure your face can be clearly seen.

3. Trip itinerary

You will be required to present documents that will tell the authorities of all the activities you intend to engage in on their territory.

This includes the date, time and number of your flight arrival and departure, activities, among others. You need to be able to prove that you will leave the country when your visa expires.

Hence, they require you to present the documents for an already booked departure flight back to your country. You will also be required to provide a document that states that you have a place to stay in their country. This includes your hotel reservation, hotel name, among others.

4. A Netherlands travel health insurance

You need to present a document that confirms that you have a health insurance that is valid in the Netherlands and it must be not less than €30,000. It must also be able to cover medical emergencies on the territory.

5. A cover letter

If you have applied for many jobs, a cover letter is usually required alongside your CV. In this case, the cover letter you will present to the immigration office is a letter explaining some details about yourself, including why you want to visit the Netherlands and how long you intend to stay.

Just like when applying for a job, you need to sell yourself in this cover letter.

6. Proof of sufficient funds

You must be able to prove that you have sufficient money to sustain yourself in their country. As such, you must be able to prove that you can spend at least 34€ per day in the Netherlands.

If you intend to get a Schengen visa, you need these documents. So, before you make an appointment with VSF Global, ensure you have all these documents in their accurate and complete form.

Opeyemi Kareem