Visa
Fragment of the Schengen visa of Estonia in the passport
Plan ahead!
It is imperative that speakers and attendees allow sufficient time to obtain visas. International registrants should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements and should plan travel well in advance.
General information about visas for the Netherlands
You may need a short-stay Schengen visa if you want to visit the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days. This depends on your nationality. Visas must be applied for from the relevant Dutch embassy, consulate or representing consular Schengen office in the delegate’s country of residence.
The nationality of the participants and delegates will determine whether or not they are required to apply for a visa. Delegates are requested to visit this website for more information.
In most countries, the applications should be submitted at an external service provider’s office. The external service provider will charge a handling fee. In some countries, the Netherlands is represented by another Schengen country for visa affairs. Please take note of the documents to be submitted when applying for a visa for business purposes. Visa application rules differ from country to country.
Useful information
If you require a visa, please consult the full visa application process and requirements made available here.
- Contacts for Dutch diplomatic and consular offices
A list of Dutch diplomatic and consular offices authorized to issue visas is available at this link. - Application form
Download this document for the visa application form.
Visas for people attending a conference in the Netherlands
Invitation Letters
If you require a visa, you need to obtain and submit an official letter of invitation from the conference organizers to help facilitate the visa process. Please note that letters of invitation are only issued to registered and paid/approved delegates.
Conference attendees who require a visa will typically need an invitation letter from the Local Chair. More information on how to obtain a letter, more information will follow shortly.
Customs requirements
Do not forget that certain goods are illegal to bring into the Netherlands and others require a duty payment. For Dutch customs regulations, please visit this website.
For more information on traveling with medication, please consult this webpage on which medicines fall under the Opium Act for Schengen countries. If the medicine you will be taking to the Netherlands is listed in the Opium Act, you will need to apply for a Schengen certificate. For more information on medicines and customs, please visit this website, or contact the Dutch Public Information Service.
Information on visas for the Kingdom of the Netherlands can be found here. We advise you to begin the application well ahead of time to avoid last minute problems. The time to obtain a visa can vary widely and can take over two to three months in exceptional cases, for example, if additional documents are necessary. An interview at a consulate may also be required.