1.1    Visas

A visa may be required to enter the Netherlands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assists the following people in obtaining a visa to travel to the Netherlands: newly arriving foreign staff members of international organisations posted to the Netherlands; family members (spouse or partner and dependent children) forming part of privileged staff members’ households who wish to join them; and their private servants, if applicable. See: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/schengen-visa.

1.2     When is a visa required?

Whether or not a visa is required depends on the following:

- Nationality
Nationals of most non-EU countries need a visa to enter the Netherlands. A list of the countries whose nationals need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days can be found on the website of the Dutch government: Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands. Choose your country. | NetherlandsWorldwide. 

- Type of travel document
A person’s travel document determines whether or not a visa is needed, even if that person has more than one nationality. A person travelling on a passport of a country whose nationals require a visa must have a valid visa. 

- Special travel document
Holders of certain countries’ diplomatic or service passports may be exempt from the visa requirement, even if visas are normally required for the country in question. Information about these exemptions can be obtained from the Short Stay Visa Service of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) of the Ministry of Justice and Security (email address: visa.posten@ind.nl).

Please note that other Schengen countries have their own lists and thus may sometimes require a visa even if the Netherlands does not.

- Length of stay
Foreign visitors planning to stay more than 90 days in the Netherlands must obtain a special visa known as an ‘authorisation for temporary stay’ (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf, MVV). However, privileged foreign staff members and their immediate family forming part of their household are not required to obtain an MVV, regardless of their nationality, but should instead register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon their arrival (see chapter 2). 

1.3     Visa procedure for privileged staff members and their family members 

Privileged staff members and family members forming part of their household should follow the same visa procedure regardless of whether they plan to stay for more or less than 90 days. They are advised to submit their visa application well in advance of their departure for the Netherlands.

They must apply for a visa at a Dutch diplomatic or consular mission in their country of origin or of habitual residence before they travel to the Netherlands. A country of habitual residence is one where the person concerned resides or has a permit to reside for longer than 90 days. If there is no Dutch diplomatic mission in their country of origin or habitual residence, they are requested to send an email to the Short Stay Visa Service of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) of the Ministry of Justice and Security (email address: visa.posten@ind.nl). The Short Stay Visa Service gives advice on visas on a case-by-case basis.   

Processing a visa application can take up to four weeks, as it is sometimes necessary to consult one or more of the other Schengen countries. 

Visas issued for the Netherlands are in general valid for 90 days in all countries that are party to the Schengen Agreement.

A Note Verbale from the international organisation stating that the staff member will be employed there should be submitted to DPG-Service@minbuza.nl. Visa applications cannot be considered without a copy of this Note Verbale.

The Note Verbale should include the following details (see DPG-MIN-BuZa.2021.8661-23 of 10 June 2021):
•    the personal details (name, date and place of birth and nationality) of the visa applicant;
•    the number, expiration date and type (ordinary, service or diplomatic) of passport;
•    the position the applicant will hold at the international organisation, referring to the relevant article in the headquarters agreement;
•    the starting date and duration of employment by the international organisation.
•    a copy/(copies) of the passport(s). 

To avoid unnecessary delay, the international organisation should send the Note Verbale to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DPG-Service@minbuza.nl). 

Privileged staff members and family members forming part of their household should all follow the same visa procedure. They are advised to submit their visa application well in advance of their departure for the Netherlands. 

Privileged staff members and family members forming part of their household must apply for a visa at a Dutch diplomatic mission or consular post in their country of origin or of habitual residence before they travel to the Netherlands. A country of habitual residence is one where the person concerned resides or has a permit to reside for longer than 90 days. If there is no Dutch diplomatic mission or consular post in their country of origin or of habitual residence, the applicant is requested to send an email to hdcv-cso-visa-expert@minbuza.nl to get visa advice on their particular case. 

Processing a visa application can take up to four weeks, as it is sometimes necessary to consult one or more of the other Schengen countries. 

Visas issued for the Netherlands are in general valid for 90 days in all countries that are party to the Schengen Agreement.

No documents should be sent to hdcv-cso-visa-expert@minbuza.nl.

1.4     Visa procedure for non-privileged staff members, relatives, friends, other guests and delegations 

Visa applications for short stays (90 days or less) should be submitted well in advance to a Dutch diplomatic mission or another diplomatic mission abroad representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands (for contact details, click Contact, click ‘Select another country’ and then click on ‘About us’). 

Please note that, as a rule, no documents should be sent to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for non-privileged and short-stay visitors.

Visa fees must be paid by the applicant. Visas for official delegations and official guests are issued free of charge if the individuals in question are required to be present for official purposes.