Often referred to as Holland, The Netherlands is a destination famous for its tulip fields, windmills, canals, and cultural heritage. If you are planning to visit the country for business, tourism, study, or family reunification purposes, getting a Netherlands visa from Delhi is the first vital step of the process.
Besides, the procedure is pretty simple for the residents of Delhi, however, going through this article will help you know about the documents required and the application process.
Understanding the Netherlands Visa
The Netherlands is a part of the Schengen Area, a group of 29 European countries known for its abolished border control between their mutual territories.
Surprisingly, a Schengen visa allows you to travel to any of these countries for up to 90 days within a validity period of 180 days.
Therefore, the citizens of India can enjoy and apply for different categories of Netherlands visas considering their purpose of visiting the country. Some of the most common visa types are discussed below.
Broader categories
Applicants have three broader visa categories that they can choose from, as discussed below.
- A Type C or Schengen visa allows you to stay in the target country for up to three months within a validity period of 180 days. Besides, it is usually used for short-term stays in the Netherlands for reasons such as participating in leisure activities, attending business activities, or visiting friends/family members.
Minor categories
Visit visa
- Secondly, staying longer than three months requires applying for a long-term or national visa. Alternatively, it is also known as a Type D visa that demands you to have a residence permit as well. Moreover, you can use it for purposes such as continuing a study program, starting a job, or permanently shifting to the Netherlands.
Minor categories
Investor visa
- Lastly, a Type A or airport transit visa allows you to stay or pass through the Netherlands en route to another non-Schengen destination country. Depending on the target country’s visa policies, you may or may not leave the transit area at the airport.
Embassy of The Netherlands in Delhi
Delhi residents can submit their visa applications for the Netherlands to the Royal Netherlands Embassy located in New Delhi, India.
The map and the following details will help you easily find it.
Location: 6/50 F, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India
Opening hours & days: Monday to Friday from 9 am–5 pm.
Phone No: +911124197600
Furthermore, the respective embassy covers the following states and union territories of India.
Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Tripuri, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Punjab, Puducherry, Nagaland, Odisha, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Delhi, and Daman and Diu.
Netherlands Visa Application Process from Delhi
The Netherlands visa application process from Delhi involves several steps such as gathering the documents and attending an appointment. Mentioned below is the step-by-guide that you can follow:
Step 1: Identify the right visa type
At first, it is important to determine the correct visa type considering the purpose of your trip. For short-term visits, you can opt for a Schengen visa. On the other hand, if you want to stay for more than three months in the Netherlands, you can get a National visa.
Visit the official website of VFS Global and choose the suitable visa type.
Step 2: Complete the visa application form
Secondly, you need to complete the visa application form as a necessary step of the Netherlands visa application process. For this purpose, open this link.
After that, click on the ‘Schengen visa’ tab or other visa category to proceed ahead. The next step requires you to create or log in to an account to fill out the visa application form.
Once you are done with this step, you need to verify your account with the embassy’s officials. After that, you can complete the application form. When you submit it online, the authorities will send you a copy of the form through email that you can print to submit with the rest of the documents at the VAC or Embassy.
Step 3: Collect the mandatory documents
Make sure to fulfill the following Dutch Schengen visa guidelines for Indians when applying for a Netherlands visa.
- Passport
Two blank pages with at least three months of validity period beyond your stay in the target destination country.
- Application form
Furthermore, make sure to fill out the application form for a Netherlands visa accurately. Also, do not forget to sign it at the end.
- Photographs
Moreover, you are also required to submit two recent passport-size photos, according to the Schengen photo requirements.
- Flight reservation
In addition, you need to showcase your detailed travel plan with the help of a flight reservation document. As a result, it will represent your travel dates and times, destination country, airport terminals, airline company name, IATA codes, etc.
- Accommodation proof
Besides, having accommodation proof is another essential part of the travel itinerary that will disclose to the authorities that you have a personal place of your own to stay in the Netherlands. This can be in the form of a hotel booking, a rental contract, or a sponsorship letter.
- Cover letter
Moreover, you also need to submit a supporting document which is a cover letter to explain your trip, destination country, intended activities, and stay duration from a subjective lens. You can get this document from coverletterforvisa.com instead of writing it yourself and sabotaging the visa approval chances.
- Travel health insurance
A travel health insurance policy valid for all the Schengen Countries and covering at least 30,000 euros for medical, travel emergencies, and repatriation is required.
Bank statements from the last three to six months, salary slips, or income tax returns should be submitted to show that you can financially support yourself during your entire stay in the Netherlands.
- Additional documents
Considering the purpose of your visit, you need:
- For tourism, an invitation letter from the host
- An NOC from your current employer and an invitation letter from the Dutch employer for a business visa
- For a student visa, an admission letter and an academic transcript
Considering your employment status.
- If you are employed: Leave letter from the employer
- For self-employment: Business registration certificate
- If you are retired: Pension slips from the last six months
Step 4: Book an appointment
You can book your appointment with the VFS Global Visa Application Center as this service is not available at the embassy. For this purpose, make sure to create or log in to an account to schedule the date that allows sufficient time for processing before your intended departure date.
Step 5: Visit the center
On the day of the scheduled appointment, visit the center with all the documents and a copy of the application form. Moreover, the officials will also ask you to provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) that will be stored in the VIS.
Step 6: Pay the visa fee
Applying through VFS Global requires you to pay 1,530 INR, which is an additional fixed amount for the service charges. Other than that, you can go through this link for the consular fees (all types of Netherland visas) for Delhians and Indians.
Step 7: Attend the interview
After initially going through your application, the officials may request you to attend a short visa interview to ask additional questions about your trip or verify the details. For example, they may ask,
- If someone else is accompanying you on the trip?
- What activities have you planned for your stay in the Netherlands?
- Do you know of any host (family member or friend) in the target country?
Step 8: Wait for the processing time
Once all the above steps are completed, you need to wait for the processing time which is usually around 15 days in normal circumstances. However, it may get extended to up to 45 or 60 days depending on the individual circumstances or the time of the year.
Meanwhile, you can also track the status of your application by using the reference number through VFS Global.
Step 9: Pick up your passport
After processing, you will be notified to collect your passport from the center or through a courier service if your visa application is approved.
Common Reasons for the Netherlands Visa Rejection
Though the visa application is a straightforward process, not fulfilling the requirements may result in visa denial or rejection. Some of the typical mistakes that lead to visa rejection are as follows:
- Incorrect or incomplete application
- Lack of travel insurance
- Failure to provide evidence related to strong ties to India
- Insufficient proof of financial resources
- Unclear travel plans
- Fake or missing documents
If your application is rejected, you will receive a notification letter explaining the reason. In case you think that the reason is not justified, you can appeal the decision within 15 to 30 days of receiving the letter. Secondly, the best option is to reapply for a Netherlands visa from Delhi within the given timeframe as appeal cases are difficult to deal with.
FAQs for the Netherlands Visa from Delhi
- Where can I apply for a Netherlands visa in Delhi?
The first option is to visit the Dutch Embassy to submit your visa application. A second choice is to apply for a Netherlands visa at the VFS Global visa application center located in New Delhi, India.
Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi- 110001.
- Is it possible to apply for a Netherlands visa from Delhi without an appointment?
No. You need to schedule an appointment using the website of VFS Global to submit your visa applications because walk-in submission is not accepted.
- Can I travel to non-Schengen countries with a Netherlands visa?
No. A Netherlands visa allows you to travel within the Schengen Area only. For a non-Schengen country, you will need a separate visa.
- What can I do if I lose my passport in the Netherlands?
If you lose your passport in the Netherlands while your visa is still valid, immediately report the case to the local police and obtain a police report.
- Can I work with a Schengen Netherlands visa?
A Schengen visa is only destined to be used for short-term tourism or business-related purposes. If you want to work, you need to apply for a work visa or a residence permit.
- Is it possible to apply for a Netherlands visa from Delhi online?
You can fill out the application form online, however, you need to submit the application form and the documents in person at the visa application center or the embassy.
Read Also: Malta Visa from Delhi