Netherlands visa application 2026: the forms, the documents and the exact steps

The Schengen visa form exists only online; for an MVV without a sponsor, you use a form from the IND.

• Schengen visa. Create an account in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal with your email address. Use a computer or tablet: the form does not work on a smartphone (Netherlands Worldwide). Forms filled in online get a unique code, and forms without it can cause problems (form page).
• MVV without a sponsor. The IND has separate forms for family, self-employed work, a start-up, work, the orientation year, the working holiday, re-entry and humanitarian grounds. If your purpose is not among them, your sponsor probably has to apply in the Netherlands (IND).
• MVV with a sponsor. Your sponsor applies. Once the IND approves, its letter says at which embassy or consulate-general you apply for the sticker (Netherlands Worldwide); our MVV appointment guide covers the booking.

Tick off every line before your appointment: an incomplete application can be rejected.

Every Schengen visa application

• Application form, signed, with its unique code
• Passport no older than 10 years, with 2 empty visa pages
• Passport valid 3 months after you leave the Schengen area
• Colour photo no older than 6 months (not needed at VFS Global or TLScontact)
• Proof of legal residence in the country where you apply
• Proof of ties at home: work, business or studies
• Bank statements for the last 3 months
• At least €55 per person per day, or proof of sponsorship
• Hotel booking or rental agreement for the whole trip
• Travel reservation in your name, no paid ticket needed
• Travel medical insurance: €30,000 cover in all Schengen countries

Sources: tourism checklist and proof of sponsorship.

Visiting family or friends: add

• Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form, signed by your host
• The host’s signature legalised by their Dutch municipality
• Copy of the host’s Dutch ID card, passport or residence permit
• The sponsor’s income documents, such as 3 recent salary statements

Sources: family and friends checklist and sponsoring a visitor.

Business trip: add

• Invitation from the Dutch company or event, with your dates and the reason (business checklist)

MVV applied for at an embassy: bring

• The completed IND application form
• A passport photo
• Your valid passport
• Any extra documents the form lists

Everyone gives biometrics, but where depends on the route.

• Schengen visa: fingerprints at your appointment if you are 12 or older (Netherlands Worldwide).
• MVV from abroad: signature and fingerprints at the Dutch embassy or consulate.
• In the Netherlands: after the IND letter arrives, you book a free biometrics appointment. The IND takes a digital photo there and does not accept photos from a photographer; for a child under 2 you send a photo instead (IND). Our IND appointment guide explains the booking.

Keep your reference number, carry your sponsorship papers when you travel, and plan for a wait of several weeks.

• Waiting time. EU rules give 15 days, and up to 45 when more checks are needed (European Commission). Follow the application with our Netherlands visa tracking guide.
• At the border. Bring the original sponsorship form and your sponsor’s income documents: Dutch border control can ask for them. A proof of sponsorship covers 1 trip only (Netherlands Worldwide).
• Long stay. For a highly skilled migrant permit, among others, the IND has a legal decision period of 90 days (IND).
• Refused? Our Schengen visa guide explains how to object within 4 weeks, or when to apply again.
• Long-stay refusal? Objecting to an IND decision follows its own rules; see our IND rejection guide.