If you want to travel to the Netherlands with the purpose of conducting business, you may need to apply for a Netherlands Business Visa.
A Netherlands Business Visa is a Schengen visa for the Netherlands (also known as a short-stay visa or C visa). A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel anywhere in the Schengen area, including the Netherlands, for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month frame.
If you are planning on traveling to the Netherlands for business, but do not know if you need to apply or how to apply , this article will answer some of your questions.
Netherlands Business Visa Application
To apply for a business visa to Netherlands, you must follow these steps:
- Check if you need to apply for a Business visa to the Netherlands.
- Find out where to submit the application.
- Know when is the best time to apply.
- Book the appointment.
- Compile the document file.
- Attend the interview.
- Pay the visa fees.
Check if you need to apply for a Business visa to the Netherlands
Whether or not you have to apply for a visa to enter the Netherlands for a business depends largely on your nationality.
If you are a national of a country who needs a visa to enter the Netherlands, then you need to apply for a business visa.
Citizens from Schengen Area countries as well as from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not need a business visa to enter the Netherlands.
You also do not need a visa for the Netherlands if you have a residence permit or long-stay visa issued by another country of the Schengen area.
Here is a more detailed list of who needs to apply for a Schengen Business visa to the Netherlands.
Find out where to submit the application
You can apply for a Netherlands Business Visa in the Dutch embassy/consulate in your country. If your country does not have a Dutch embassy/consulate, you will need to find which Schengen country embassy/consulate they have outsourced visa application submissions to.
You should submit your Dutch business visa application as follows:
- At the embassy/consulate of the country, you intend to spend the most amount of time in – if you will stay longer in one specific country.
- At the embassy/consulate of the country which will be your first stop – if you will spend an equal amount of time in each.
Before submitting your application, you need to book an appointment and gather the required documents.
Know when is the best time to apply
The latest you can apply for a Dutch business visa is 15 working days before your trip, and the earliest is three months before your trip. However, it is recommended that you apply a minimum of three weeks prior to your trip.
Book the appointment
Before applying for a Dutch business visa, you need to book an appointment. This can be done either online or in-person, depending on the country.
Compile the document file
The required documents for a Netherlands Business Visa include:
- A completed and signed Netherlands Business visa application form.
- Photographs in compliance with the Schengen guidelines.
- Copies of any previous visas along with all entry/exit stamps.
- Complete travel itinerary of your stay in the Netherlands.
- Possession of a passport or identity document (ID) along with:
- A copy of your passport’s personal details page.
- Copies of any previous passports’ personal details pages.
- Evidence that you have accommodation during your stay in the Netherlands.
- Proof that you have sufficient means to provide for yourself during your stay (at least €34 per day).
- Appropriate medical insurance that covers your entire stay in the Netherlands.
- Criminal certificate. Proof that you do not pose “a risk to public order, national peace or national security”, meaning you do not have a criminal record or on-going criminal case
- Proof you will return to your country after your visit. Proof that there is no “risk of settlement” like an employment contract, school information, or home rental contract.
- Proof your visit is for business or cultural events. This can include:
- proof of sponsorship from the person sponsoring you,
- an invitation to attend a conference,
- hotel reservation.
- Invitation from the company you will be visiting or the host/organizer of the event or training.
- Proof of paid Dutch Business visa fees.
Note that the required documents may also vary from country to country, so if you are asked to provide further documentation, you need to do it as soon as possible.
Attend the interview
You have to show up to your appointment in person holding the required documents. On the day of your application, you will also enter a visa interview and pay a non-refundable Dutch Business Schengen visa fee.
Pay the Visa Fees
You will have to pay a Dutch business visa fee which is €90 per application.
Those exempt from a Dutch visa application fee include:
- children under six years of age.
- an academic researcher.
- a family member of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
- students or teachers traveling for studying or training purposes.
- people under 25 who are traveling to partake in non-profit organizational events.
The prices for visas to the Netherlands are subject to change. For more information regarding the Netherlands visa fees, visit the article.
How long does it take to get a Netherlands Business Visa?
The processing for your Netherlands business visa application may take anywhere from 15-30 working days. In some cases, it could take longer while in others, it could take less. Therefore, make sure to consult the officer in charge of processing your application.
However, the latest you can apply for a Netherlands visa is 15 working days before your trip, while the earliest is three months.
Orange Carpet Visa Facility
People who frequently travel to the Netherlands for business, may apply for the Orange Carpet Visa Facility. This enables business travellers to obtain a Dutch business visa easier. It can mainly be used by companies who have current or future economic interests in the Netherlands.
However, not all countries are eligible for an Orange Carpet Visa Facility, so ask the Dutch embassy or consul in your country for more information.
Its benefits change from country to country, but some of them could include:
- Fewer documents required to apply for a Netherlands business visa.
- Your business visa for the Netherlands will be issued quicker.
- You can use the visa for multiple-entries.
- The visa will be valid for longer.
- You will not need to make an appointment to apply for a visa.
- You do not have to apply in person every time.
Whether or not you can apply for an Orange Carpet Visa Facility depends on your country as well as how frequently you travel, so consult the Dutch embassy in your country for more information.