Are you confused about what types of visa there are in The Netherlands? Well, you've come to the right place! There are four types of visas in The Netherlands:
- A Schengen Visa
- A transit visa
- A return visa
- MVV Authorisation
Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a short stay or tourist visa for The Netherlands that is also applicable for other countries in the Schengen area. If you want to visit The Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days, you might need to apply for a Schengen visa. Whether you need this visa depends on your nationality, where you want to go, and how long your stay will be. The visa advisor website will help you figure out whether you need this visa. The rules for applying for this visa varies from country to country. You can check out your requirements on the Government of The Netherlands website!
Transit Visa
A transit visa is for people who need to do transfers at Dutch airports. So, if you are making a short stop at a Dutch airport, you might need to apply for a transit visa. This visa does not allow you to officially enter The Netherlands, so with this visa you are not allowed to leave any Dutch airports. Whether you need a transit visa depends on various factors, including your nationality. If you would like to see if this visa applies to you, check out The Kingdom of The Netherlands website for more information! The application for a transit visa varies from country to country, if you would like to find out more about how to apply for a transit visa according to your nationality, check out The Government of The Netherlands website for more information.
Return Visa
A return visa is a visa for foreign residents in The Netherlands without a valid residence permit who need to urgently travel abroad. This visa is valid for three months and is only available for one journey. Some exceptions can be made, for example, if you are travelling for business or if you want to leave The Netherlands for a long period of time for your studies. To apply for a return visa, you must make an appointment at the IND desk.
MVV Authorisation
An MVV authorisation, also known as a long-stay visa, is a type of visa used for temporary or long-term stay for certain nationalities who want to apply for a residence permit. If you want to stay in The Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will have to apply for a residence permit. Whether you need an MVV authorisation depends on your nationality. If you would like to find out whether you need to apply for this visa check out The Government of The Netherlands website!
What is a Long Stay Visa in The Netherlands?
If you are looking to stay in The Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. If you are from a Non-EU country bar a few exceptions, you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa, aka an MVV or authorisation for temporary stay, before you travel to The Netherlands.
Applying for a long stay visa allows you to get your residence permit later down the line in order to live and work in The Netherlands.
Visa Application
Applying for a visa for The Netherlands is not as difficult as it seems. You simply need to turn in the correct documents and wait for a response. In the next section, you will find exactly what documents you need to apply for a visa in The Netherlands.
Documents needed for Dutch visa
To obtain a Dutch visa in a non-EU country, you are going to need the following documents:
- A valid passport or travel document
- A valid residence permit from your country of origin
- An application form filled out and signed by the applicant
- A passport format photo, with all the correct dimensions and colours. Note that the photo must be less than three months old and glued on the application form
- Biometric fingerprints and a digital photograph of the applicant
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the applicant's visit
- Proof of your travel arrangements
- Proof of accommodation in The Netherlands
- Lastly, proof of financial subsistence
The documents that are stated above are required for any type of visa application, but depending on your employment status, you can look at the additional documents needed if you're from the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is it easy to get a work visa in The Netherlands?
-
How long does it take to get a work visa in The Netherlands?
-
How do I get a work visa for The Netherlands?
- You need an employment contract with an employer that is in The Netherlands.
- You need to earn at least minimum wage for employees over the age of 23.
- Your employer needs to show that the position could not have been filled by a Dutch person or another EU national.
To get a work of residence permit in The Netherlands, you have to have an employments contract or a written agreement with an employer recognized by Dutch immigration authorities for at least four months, and you need to earn above a certain level of income.
If the application is correctly filled out and complete, the IND will usually decide within two weeks. If a work or single permit is required, then it would take around seven weeks.