Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa in CanadaApplying for a short-stay Schengen visa in Canada

Coronavirus

You can only travel to the Netherlands if you are exempt from the EU entry ban. Please read the entry rules on Government.nl.

What do I need to do?

• You must submit a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years. This must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least another 3 months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
• You must submit a completed and signed visa application form. Each person travelling with you on your travel document must submit their own visa form. Forms for children under the age of 18 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
• If you are under 18 and are travelling without one or both of your parents or guardians, ask them to sign a consent form. Border guards may ask to see this form when you arrive in the Netherlands.
• In a country where visa applications are processed by an external service provider, your digital photo will be taken at the Visa Application Centre. Have you applied for a visa in the last 59 months? Then you yourself will have to submit a photo with your application. This photo must meet Dutch requirements for passport photos.
• When you submit your application your fingerprints will be taken. These will remain valid for 59 months. Some applicants, such as children under the age of 12, do not need to have their fingerprints taken.Did you provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You do not have to appear in person. This also applies if you had your fingerprints taken within the last 59 months for a visa application submitted through another Schengen member state.

How much does a visa cost?

When you apply for a Canadian Visa Online contact center at a Dutch embassy or consulate, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee on the fees page. If you apply through an external service provider, such as a visa agency, you will have to pay an extra fee to the provider.

The visa fee shall be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:

• children under 6 years;
• school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;
• researchers travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference*;
• representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.

*as defined in point (2) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 )

How long does it take?

The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. Seafarers can apply 9 months before intended travel date. You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance.

In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.

Longer waiting time for visa applications

You may experience longer waiting times to get an appointment. And it may take longer than 15 days to process your application.

This is because more applicants want to travel to the Netherlands after COVID travel restrictions have been eased worldwide.

We are working to expand the number of available appointments and to increase our capacity. We regularly offer new appointment slots, so please keep checking the appointment system.

Plan your trip well in advance. And make sure you have all the documents ready for your appointment.

How will my application be assessed?

Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities and can take up to 7 days.

Your application will also be checked in the Schengen Information System (SIS II). In addition, your application details will be checked and saved in the Visa Information System (VIS).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses information-supported decision-making to make better, quicker decisions on Canadian Visa Onilne Application. For more information on how your data will be processed, see the privacy statement.

Do not use intermediary agencies

To submit your application, you have to make an appointment via an online appointment system. This system is accessible to everyone. There are intermediary agencies that take advantage of this by retaining appointments and selling them.

We recommend that you make an appointment yourself and that you do not use the service of these intermediaries.