Visas and residence permits

A Schengen visa for a short visit, or a residence permit for work, study or family.

Indian citizens need a Schengen visa for visits of up to 90 days. You apply in India through the VFS Global visa application centre, which accepts applications on behalf of the Netherlands.

For a longer stay you need a residence permit, usually combined with an entry visa (MVV). The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) decides on these. In most cases the employer, educational institution or partner in the Netherlands submits the application. Requirements, fees and processing times change regularly; the IND website is always the authority.

Useful links

• IND – Immigration and Naturalisation Service ind.nl
  All residence permits, requirements, fees and forms.
• VFS Global – Netherlands visa in India visa.vfsglobal.com
  Book an appointment and submit your application in India.
• Netherlands Worldwide – India netherlandsworldwide.nl
  Dutch government: visas, the embassy in New Delhi and consulates.
• Government.nl – Immigration government.nl
  Overview of Dutch admission policy.