Where can I obtain a Schengen visa application form?
You can find the application form under 'Downloads' on the right-hand side of this page. If you have problems downloading the form, please request one by mail by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Visa Section of the Royal Netherlands Embassy (38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP).
Do I have to make an appointment?
Yes, all persons wishing to apply for a visa at the visa section in London to visit the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and / or Aruba must have made a prior appointment.
An appointment at the visa section of the Embassy can be made on working days between 1:00-1:30pm by calling telephone number 079 2170 0307.
Note: Diplomatic or service passport holders who hold a note verbale of their Embassy or Diplomatic representation in London and Orange Carpet Club members do not have to make a prior appointment and are welcome to lodge an application any working day, Monday to Friday, between 09:00-10:00 am.
Since 15 September 2008, the Netherlands Visa Application Centre (VFS) can also accept Schengen visa applications on behalf of the visa section in London.
Is it compulsory that one applies in person, also if travelling as a group?
Yes, all persons have to apply in person. However, if you are travelling as a group one appointment can be made for a maximum of up to 5 people. Once again, the whole group has to be present.
Where can I get advice on how to lodge an application?
If you require further information, please call our Schengen visa information line on telephone number: 09065 508916 (£1 per minute).
Can I pay the visa fee by credit/debit card?
No, the visa fee can only paid in cash (£) or by postal order.
If I do not have a bank account myself, can someone else in the UK act as my sponsor?
No, if you do not have your own bank account, you can either submit traveller cheques (£30 multiplied by the number of days of your stay) or your sponsor in the Netherlands - who also has to provide you with a legalised letter of guarantee - has to submit his / her salary slips.
Please be advised that an overdraft is not accepted.
How long will my application take to process?
The length of time it takes to process your application depends entirely on the circumstances of your case. However, processing time for a short term visa is generally 24-48 hours, for some nationalities 14 days. For long term visas (MVVs) the processing time is generally 3 - 6 months.
Does my UK visa have to be endorsed in my current passport?
Yes, it is international practice that a residence permit must be endorsed in the passport. It is also an absolute condition of all member states of Schengen for any visa application. No visas can be issued to persons without the residence permit in the passport.
A confirmation letter from the Home Office is not acceptable.
The border guards of any Schengen country do not know these confirmations and cannot judge the validity of such a letter.
The only exception is in case you can submit both your current as well as your previous passport in which your valid residence permit is endorsed.
Where can I obtain information if I require a work permit for travelling to The Netherlands for business purposes only?
Please be aware that your sponsor in The Netherlands is responsible for ensuring that you have all the necessary permits and licences to carry out your duties. In order to prevent to be in breach of the national employment regulations in The Netherlands, you are advised to contact the CWI (Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen, Vergunningen en Maatregelen) in Zoetermeer on telephone number: +31 (0)79 750.2903, or fax number: +31 (0)79 371.2999, to verify whether you require a work permit.
Where can I obtain an adequate travel insurance?
Firstly, one's travel insurance policy should be covering medical expenses including emergency hospital treatment and repatriation. The policy must have been taken out with an insurance company in the UK and provide cover for all Schengen countries, with a minimum cover of EURO 30.000.
In case you are insured through your bank, you have to submit proof of this as well.
Please be advised that the so-called 'E111-form' or its successor, the EHIC card, is not an adequate travel insurance.
Can I have my passport posted to me upon approval?
Yes, after having lodged your application in person you can indicate to the visa officer that you wish to have your passport posted to you upon approval. For special delivery by Royal Mail the Embassy will charge you £5 for postage. Special delivery envelopes are available at the visa section.
Please be advised that collection time, after approval, is normally any working day, Monday to Friday between 3 and 4 pm.
Can I get a long-term multiple entry visa by submitting a hotel reservation for a short stay in The Netherlands?
No, it is not our policy to issue multiple entry visas on the basis of a hotel reservation.
If I have received visas in the past, do I have to submit a full set of documents when applying for a new visa for another trip?
Yes, with every new application you have to submit all the required documents again. Furthermore, the documents must be recent.
Is an invitation of the UK based office sufficient in case I will be regularly visiting its Dutch representative office?
No, you have to submit both; the letter from your UK employer as well as the original invitation from The Netherlands.
Please be advised that e-mail invitations are not accepted. All letters have to be on official letterhead.
Do I qualify for a transit visa if I have a visitor's visa for the United Kingdom?
No, unless you obtained a transit visa issued by the Dutch Embassy in your country of residence which recently expired and you changed your departure date.
Have you not found the answer to your question?
If - after having read the visa and visa-related information on this website - you have not found the answer to your question you can send an email to lon-vz@minbuza.nl
