Application procedure

Where to apply?

You must apply for a Schengen visa in person at a Dutch embassy or consulate. It is not possible to authorize somebody else to apply on your behalf. You may visit the nearest Dutch mission in your home country. It is also possible to apply at a Dutch mission in another country, as long as you have lawful residence in that particular country. Lawful residence means that you have a valid residence permit for that country. If you hold a tourist visa, you do not qualify as a lawful resident.

Find out where the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate is located on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Visiting more than one country

It may be that you also need to travel to another Schengen country apart from the Netherlands. In that case, you must apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country where you are planning to stay the longest. For example, you intend to spend two weeks in the Netherlands and four weeks in France. In that case, you apply for the visa at the French embassy. It does not matter which country you will visit first, or which country is your point of entry in the Schengen area.

How long does it take?

The application procedure for a Schengen visa may take anything from a few days to around two months. It would be wise to start the procedure as soon as you have assembled all the necessary documents.