Netherlands Business Visa - Definitive Guide

For people travelling to Holland for the purpose of taking part in business-related activities, a Netherlands Schengen business visa is required. Nationals of other Schengen countries and visa-exempt nations do not require a permit to enter the country. Being a part of the Schengen C category, the permit is issued as single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entries and is valid for a maximum duration of up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

The application for the Dutch business permit from India has to be done through the Netherlands Visa Application Centers (VAC). Before starting your application, you must ensure that you are eligible to apply for the business visa. After this, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. Visit the website of the Netherlands embassy and enter the portal for the online application. 
2. Fill in the online application form with all the relevant details. Note that the form is the same for all the Schengen C categories. You will simply have to mention your purpose of visit as ‘business’
3. Take a print out of the completed application form.
4. You must now proceed to book an appointment at one of the VACs located across India for your application submission. The embassy of Holland does not accept direct applications for Schengen visas of ordinary passports.
5. Visit the respective VAC with the application form, the required documents, as well as the fees in person. You will have to submit your biometrics here. 

Note that if you have submitted your biometrics for any of the Schengen visas in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this case, you need not visit the appointment in person and may ask a third party to submit the application instead, provided that they possess an authorization letter signed by you. Ensure that you submit only genuine documents and provide correct information. Providing fake documentation and writing false information may lead to Schengen visa rejection. 

If you are visiting the Carribean islands of the Netherlands, you will have to apply for a Carribean visa. The applications for this may be submitted directly at the embassy or consulate of Netherlands, or at a VAC. 

To be able to apply for a business permit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria - 

• You must be living in the country where you are lodging the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it to the corresponding visa authority in that particular country.
• You must possess a valid passport meeting all the regulations.
• The only motive of your visit must be to take part in business activities such as meetings, conferences, contract signing, etc.
• You must be invited by a Dutch company to do business in the country.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the entire stay period in the country.
• You must apply for the permit only if -

• 1. The Netherlands is your only destination, or
  2. The Netherlands is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or,
  3. The Netherlands must be your port of entry into the Schengen region.

•  A valid passport- 

• 1. It must have at least 2 blank pages.
  2. Passports older than 10 years are not allowed.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• A covering letter from the sending company - 
  1. This should include the visitor’s basic details and source of funds. 
  2. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  3. It must be on the company letterhead and must contain the seal. 
  4. It should be addressed to the Embassy of the Netherlands.
• Invitation letter from the Dutch organisation/company stating complete details of the visit, or entry tickets to trade fairs, conferences, etc in Holland.
• Registration certificate of the Indian company.
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc.

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken to process the business permit depends on several factors such as the number of entries, the validity, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, it takes around 15 working days to process the application. However, in certain cases, it may take 30 working days, and in extreme cases, this can even take up to 60 days. As a result, it is advised that you apply for it well in advance. You must not, however, apply more than 3 months before the travel date. 

The total fees for the application process depends on the biometric charges, processing fee, as well as the service charges levied by the VAC. It may also change with respect to foreign exchange rates. Hence, you must check the exact amount before starting your application. 

Once you have submitted your application at the VAC, it will then be forwarded to the embassy or consulate for processing. Depending upon the jurisdiction, the VAC will send the application to the respective mission. Note that even though your application is made at a VAC, they have absolutely no influence on the outcome or the processing. The processing is solely the responsibility of the embassy or consulate. 

Once approved, you can collect your visa directly from the VAC, or have them deliver it to you for an additional charge.  

You can check the status of your business permit application by visiting  https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking/Track and entering your reference number and date of birth. Alternately, you may contact your respective travel agency to know the status. 

Once you have this visa, keep in mind the following points - 

• Keep in mind the expiry date, duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. Your travel and stay must be in accordance with these. 
• Carry all the travel documents before travelling. If you do not possess them, you will be denied entry. 
• Ensure that you travel to the Netherlands within 6 months of the issue date, or as mentioned. After this date, your permit will become invalid and you will not be able to enter the country. 
• While you are travelling within the country, carry a copy of your travel documents with you. 
• While you are on a business permit, you cannot work on a payroll of a Dutch company or establishment. You may, however, take part in unpaid voluntary work. 
• You will not be able to extend the business visa under any normal conditions.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone. And depending on your entry type, you may enter or exit the Schengen as allowed.