Description

If you are planning to travel to the Netherlands to visit family or friends, including your girlfriend or boyfriend, you will need to apply for a visa.

Visa Validity
Upon receiving your visa at the Visa Application Centre, it is important to carefully check it for any errors. If you notice any mistakes, please inform the staff at the counter immediately. Any corrections needed after leaving the Visa Application Centre will require a new visa registration and payment of a new handling fee.

If your visa is delivered to you by courier, it is essential to check it as soon as possible. If you find any errors, please contact the Visa Application Centre helpline.

The validity of your visa indicates the dates within which you are allowed to enter and leave the Schengen area.

It is important to note that the length of your stay in the Schengen area is limited to the number of days specified on your visa, even if the visa sticker itself has a longer validity. Overstaying your visa can result in a two-year visa sanction for all Schengen countries.

For visas that are valid for more than six months, the duration of stays is limited to 90 days (about 3 months) within a 180-day period. If you have a multiple-entry visa, you are allowed to leave and return to the region multiple times within the 180-day period. However, the total combined stay within the region must not exceed 90 days (about 3 months).

Travelling with Children

If you are applying for a short-stay Schengen visa for a minor (a child under 18 years of age), there are specific requirements for the documents that need to be submitted. Please refer to the checklist for more details.

When a child travels with only one parent or alone

When a minor travels with only one parent or alone, it is necessary to provide a “consent letter for minors travelling abroad.” This document ensures compliance with the regulations. For further information, please visit the Travelling with Children page on government.nl.