How Indian passport holders get a visa for Netherlands: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 4–6 weeks; the Dutch mission explicitly asks Indians to apply no later than 45 days before travel.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 36/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking
- Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for last 3 months
- ITR for last 2 years
- Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover
- Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How & where to apply
Apply through the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai via VFS Global Netherlands. VFS Netherlands centres operate in Delhi (relocated to KG Marg from 19 January 2026), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar and Lucknow. VFS Global — Netherlands visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside.
How Netherlands compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 36/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Netherlands requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 4–6 weeks; the Dutch mission explicitly asks Indians to apply no later than 45 days before travel. |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
The Netherlands insists on applications being submitted no later than 45 days before travel — late files may be rejected outright. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/schengen-visa/apply-india
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Netherlands?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. The Netherlands insists on applications being submitted no later than 45 days before travel — late files may be rejected outright.
What documents do Indians need for a Netherlands visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary; Confirmed round-trip flight booking; Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary; Bank statements for last 3 months; ITR for last 2 years; Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover; Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How long does a Netherlands visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 4–6 weeks; the Dutch mission explicitly asks Indians to apply no later than 45 days before travel.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Netherlands visa?
Apply through the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai via VFS Global Netherlands. VFS Netherlands centres operate in Delhi (relocated to KG Marg from 19 January 2026), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar and Lucknow. Official source: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/schengen-visa/apply-india
Is a Netherlands visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 36/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Netherlands visa online or on arrival?
Netherlands requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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