stay - VFS Netherlands

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – SHORT STAY
Is it mandatory for me to appear in person if I am applying for a short term visa?
No, only if you are requested to come for a personal interview at the Embassy; it means that more
information is required.
How can I apply for a long stay visa?
Decisions about long stay visa applications are made by the Immigation and Naturalisation services in
the Netherlands. Please visit the website: www.ind.nl. There you will find more detailed information
about the application process.
My passport is valid for another 4 months; I want to travel to the Netherlands for a period of 3
months. Can I apply with this passport?
The passport needs to be valid for 3 months after the intended duration of stay e.g. if you show an
itinerary for 65 days , your passport should be valid for 155 (90+65) days from the date of travel .
My passport is nearly full, only one blank page left. Can I travel with a passport like that?
No, to apply for a visa two blank leaves in the passport are required.
My passport was issued in 2002 and is valid till 2016, can I apply for a visa with this passport?
No, you have to apply for a fresh passport as this passport is valid for more than 10 years.
I am a Nepal passport holder and residing in Nepal. Where do I apply for a short stay visa?
You can apply for a visa for Netherlands through the German Embassy in Nepal.
I am an Afghan passport holder and residing in Afghanistan. Can I apply for a short stay visa with the
embassy in New Delhi?
Yes, you can apply for a visa through the Netherlands embassy in New Delhi. However, the
process will take longer as consultation with other Schengen Embassies is required which
may take up to 7 working days.
I have a new passport, but I still have a valid visa in my old passport, can I travel to the Netherlands
using this old passport?
It is advised to have your valid visa transferred to your new passport. Please submit an
application form with VFS and your old and new passport. The Embassy will free of charge
transfer your still valid visa to your new passport. However when you want a visa with a
different validity, you will have to apply afresh for a new visa (with all the necessary
documents and fees).
What is the validity of an invitation letter?
The validity of the invitation letter is for three months from the date of issue but the
duration should be valid at the time of submission of application
If an applicant has got the visa on the invitation letter and his visa validity gets expired can he again
submit that invitation letter of submission of reapplying the application?
No the old invitation letter will not be valid if the visa is already issued once on that letter.
If an applicant is studying in the US and is in India from past 1 month on a vacation can he/she apply
for Netherlands visa in India?
Yes the applicant can apply however he has to provide the reason why he/she wish to apply
from India along with his/her leave details of school/college /organization he/she is
associated with in US.
A seaman wants to apply for a visa, will go and join his ship in Hamburg, Germany but ship is owned
by Dutch company and he has contract from Dutch company. Does he have to submit with the Dutch
Embassy or the German Embassy?
Even the ship is owned by Dutch company and he is having a contract from Dutch company, the
seamen is boarding the ship from Germany hence he will apply for a visa for German Embassy.
When someone has received a visa for one year based on his business contacts, can he still use the
same visa to go on a holiday to Netherlands? Or does he have to apply for a new tourist visa?
Once issued with a Schengen visa either for Tourist or business purpose it can be used for travel for
both the purposes, however applicant needs to carry documents in support of his trip which he
might have to produce” IF AT ALL ASKED” at the Immigration while entering into the Schengen
territory
Applicant’s returns from a stay of 90 days in the Netherlands and wants to return again in one
month, can he/she apply?
Applicants who have returned after 90 days in the Netherlands are eligible to travel again only after a
cooling period of three months. The travel date has to be after 90 days only.
Is insurance a mandatory requirement? If yes, what would have to be the coverage? Who are the
authorized insurance agents?
Insurance is a necessary document. The repatriation amount is 30,000 euro. Refer to the authorized
insurance agents list.
I am 76 years old. I do not fall under any of the categories mentioned. Which insurance cover should I
take?
The embassy accepts insurance from the certified insurance companies only. It is the sole
responsibility of the applicant to take an insurance cover from any of the certified insurance agent
mentioned on the VFS website.
Can a child travel by him/herself into a Schengen country?
Yes a child can travel by himself but he/she needs to have a No Objection certificate from both the
parents /guardians and school. In case of one parent traveling along with the child NOC from the
other parent is mandatory.
Do applicants have to bring a confirmed and paid e-ticket?
Ans Embassy of Netherlands only requires PNR or Airline reservation. Confirmed and paid tickets are
not required.
What’s a No Objection Certificate? And when is it required?
Ans. No Objection certificate is required for the following categories

Children under the age of 18 needs to have it from both the parents.

In case of one parent traveling along with the child NOC from the other parent is mandatory.

An employee working with an organization needs to have a NOC or a leave sanction details
from the concerned department /office
Why is the validity of visa mentioned as 1 year whereas the period of stay is only 90 days. How do I
interpret this?
Ans Validity of visa denotes time period during which a traveler can use the visa. Period of
stay denotes amount of time the traveler can stay in Schengen.
Is there any separate fee charged for urgent applications. If yes, how much?
Ans No, there is no separate fee. All applications in general take a maximum of 15 calendar days.
Keep checking the VFS website for status updates.
I am staying in Hyderabad. Which VFS centre should I approach?
Ans You may choose any VFS centre geographically convenient to you or as per your own
convenience.
Can an application be submitted for a trip the applicant is planning four months from today?
Ans. No an application can only be filled with in 3 months of travel date to Schengen territory
Does the applicant have to come in person?
Ans. No the applicants are not required to come in person , the representative carrying a valid
identification proof and an authority letter can submit the application at any of the VFS centres
mentioned.
The applicant plans to go to several Schengen countries but will start in the Netherlands, would that
not be the reason why he should submit with the Dutch embassy?
Ans: Three separate rules to follow
Situation 1; if the duration of stay is more in other country then they will apply where they have
maximum duration of stay
Situation 2: If the duration of stay is equal in any of two countries which is more than any third
country then the applicant will apply from where he/she is entering first.
Situation 3: If the purpose of stay is commercial affairs in Netherlands and tourist in any other
Schengen country even if the duration of stay is more in other country the application will be filled at
VFS Netherlands only.
The applicant has an invitation by a Dutch company but will attend a seminar in Germany, which is
paid by the Dutch company, should the application be accepted?
Ans: As the seminar is happening in Germany irrespective of the company having a Dutch origin, the
visa application will be filled for German Schengen visa.
Curacao, St. Maarten and Aruba are part of the Netherlands Kingdom, can applicants travel to these
islands using a Schengen visa?
Ans The five islands are part of the Netherlands Kingdom but they are not a part of the Schengen
States hence they cannot travel on the Schengen Visa. For this they need a separate Caribbean visa.
Applicant is changing flights at Schiphol airport but not stepping outside the airport premises. Should
he/she apply for a transit visa?
Ans. Applicant needs to apply for a transit visa only if he / she holds a nationality of countries
requiring a transit visa. Indian nationals do not require a transit visa.
For family visit someone brings a handwritten letter as invitation, is that enough?
Ans: Handwritten Invitation letter will not be entertained, a copy of invitation is required in a proper
format.
Bank statements to show financial means, should these be for 6 months or for 3 months?
Ans. Recent Bank Statements is required for 3 months only.
How long does it take for the Embassy to process the visa application?
Ans. Embassy will take maximum of 15 calendar days to provide the applicant with a decision on the
visa application
I just heard from my company that I have to travel next week; however the website states that the
embassy takes 10 working days to process an application. Will my application be accepted and will I
get my visa on time?
Ans. We will accept the application but the responsibility lies with the applicant. Please note that in
general the embassy takes a maximum of 15 calendar days.

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