Schengen visa was introduced on 26 March 1995. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. Other Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

A visa is one of the conditions to get free access to the Schengen area. When crossing the border you may be asked to present information to a border control officer (e.g. copy of an invitation from the Netherlands, hotel voucher or hotel reservation, return ticket, policy of medical insurance, proof of financial means, etc.). Even if you are possession of a Schengen visa, border control holds the right to refuse access to the Netherlands or Schengen. When you receive your passport with a visa you are also given a handout paper with important information. Please, read this document carefully.

• If you intend to visit only the Netherlands.
• If the Netherlands is your main destination (in this case one would stay more days in the Netherlands than in any other country when visiting several Schengen countries).
• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries and you have no main destination and the Netherlands is your first port of entry and you will not spend in the Netherlands less time than in any other Schengen country.

• For a short term visa.
• For Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
• For MVV/Long term visa.
• Conditions for groups.