Do I need a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands? Or can I enter without a visa? The answer to these questions will depend on your nationality and how long you intend to stay in the Schengen country. We will seek to answer these questions as clearly as possible in this post and provide you with other helpful information to help make your visa application and other travel plans successful.
Do I Need A Schengen Visa To Enter The Netherlands?
You will need a visa if you are not from a visa exempt country. Visitors from visa exempt countries do not need visas to enter the Netherlands or any other Schengen country for that matter. They need a valid passport, hotel reservations, and a flight ticket to take them back to their home countries at the end of the trip. By 2024, the new ETIAS visa waiver policy will become mandatory for visa free visitors, and this is available online. On the other hand, those not from visa exempt countries will need a Schengen visa.
The Schengen group of countries has a non visa exempt list of countries mostly made up of third world countries. Citizens from these countries must obtain visas from the dutch embassy in their home countries before making the trip to the Netherlands.
How Will Visitors From Visa Free Countries Enter The Netherlands?
Visa free travelers can enter the Netherlands with only their valid passports and a few other documents like a hotel reservation, return flight ticket, sufficient funds to cover their expenses, and travel health insurance cover for emergencies. However, this is set to change by 2024 when the European Travel Information and Authorization System will become active and mandatory for all visa free visitors.
The ETIAS visa waiver will be available online and issued via email within 24 hours. However, visitors must apply for Etias at least 96 hours before their trip.
How Will Visitors From Non Visa Free Countries Enter The Netherlands?
Visitors from non visa free countries will need the Schengen visa only issued by embassies and consulates. While there is an online application window, it is only open to visitors from selected countries. To obtain this visa, the applicant will have to do the following.
Decide The Visa They Want: The first step is to decide the visa they want and whether or not they even need a visa for entry. The visa they choose must conform to the purpose of their trip. For instance, if they are coming for a vacation, they cannot apply for business or medical treatment but a tourist visa.
Arrange The Documents: The next step is to arrange the documents they will need to present to the embassy. The documents must be valid and align with the requirements of the embassy.
Please fill Out The Application Form: They must fill out the application form and ensure there are no errors, as this may lead to rejection.
Book An Appointment: Then they must book an appointment with the Netherlands embassy for a visa interview by contacting them directly or using any of their intermediaries.
Attend The Interview: On the set date, the applicant must visit the embassy with their documents and present them to the visa officer, who will ask questions about their trip.
How Long Does Visa Processing Take?
Visa processing takes about 15 calendar days from the moment the application is submitted to the embassy. However, delays may arise in some cases, which may extend the waiting time. Due to potential delays which may affect travel times, you may want to submit your application at least a month or more before your trip.
When Does a Visa Free Traveler Require A Visa?
Although visitors from visa-free countries may not need visas to enter The Netherlands, the situation may change if they wish to stay there longer. A visa is required for longer stays of up to one year or more. For this, they must visit the embassy in their countries to apply for a long term visa.
How Long Can I Stay In The Netherlands With A Schengen Visa?
Visitors can stay for up to 90 days. This visa is solely for short term and not long term visits. It is valid for 180 days, and holders must respect the 90/180 rules, which stipulate that a visitor with this visa cannot stay in the country for more than three months within six months. Overstaying is treated as an immigration violation and attracts sanctions.
Do I need a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands? You do if you are not from a visa free country but do not if you are from a visa free country.