How long can I stay on a tourist visa?

A short-stay Schengen visa allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period, across Netherlands and the wider Schengen Area.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

Yes — Schengen-wide travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 of cover, valid for the entire trip, is mandatory.

How early should I apply?

You can apply up to 6 months before travel. Allow for the roughly 15-working-day processing time and apply at least 2-3 weeks ahead.

Netherlands · Visa guide

Netherlands Tourist Visa

A short-stay Schengen visa for tourism and holidays in Netherlands — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

ProcessingUsually about 15 working days from submission
Visa categoryTourist Visa
Your guideOne consultant

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Netherlands Tourist Visa — overview

The Netherlands Tourist Visa is a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) for tourism and holidays, valid for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

Applications from India are submitted through VFS Global and decided by the Netherlands embassy. Schengen-wide travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 is mandatory, and the application turns on a clear travel plan, sound finances and genuine ties to India.

Lifeset Overseas builds the file to the embassy checklist so nothing is missing and the trip's purpose is clear.

8 items

Documents you need

Schengen application form
Completely filled and signed by the applicant.
Valid passport
Issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your return, with 2 empty pages.
Photographs
Two recent ICAO-standard colour photos on a white background, not older than 6 months.
Cover letter
Stating the purpose and duration of travel, accompanying persons, and transport and accommodation details.
Transport & accommodation
Proof of means of transport and itinerary, a round-trip flight reservation, and confirmed accommodation for the full stay.
Travel medical insurance
Schengen-wide cover of at least EUR 30,000 for the entire trip.
Financial means
Original bank statements for the last 3 months and income-tax returns for the last 2 assessment years.
Proof of occupation
Employed: 3 months pay slips, employment contract and leave approval. Self-employed: company registration and GST. Retired: pension statements.

5 steps

How the process works

Typical processing: Usually about 15 working days from submission — may extend up to 45 calendar days. Apply at least 2-3 weeks before travel.

Step 1
Free eligibility review
We assess your profile and build a document checklist matched to the embassy's requirements.
Step 2
Build the file & cover letter
Every document — finances, bookings, insurance and the cover letter — is prepared and verified.
Step 3
Book the VFS Global appointment
Applications in India are submitted through VFS Global — we schedule your slot.
Step 4
Submit & give biometrics
You attend the VFS centre to submit the file and provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Step 5
Decision & passport return
The embassy decides the application and your passport is returned through VFS.

Transparent

Costs & fees

Item

Amount

Schengen visa fee (adult)

EUR 45 for children aged 6-12; under 6 exempt. Payable in INR.

EUR 90

VFS Global service charge

Plus optional add-ons such as courier.

Confirmed at booking

Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.

3 answers

Frequently asked questions

Q.How long can I stay on a tourist visa?: A short-stay Schengen visa allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period, across Netherlands and the wider Schengen Area.
Q.Is travel insurance mandatory?: Yes — Schengen-wide travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 of cover, valid for the entire trip, is mandatory.
Q.How early should I apply?: You can apply up to 6 months before travel. Allow for the roughly 15-working-day processing time and apply at least 2-3 weeks ahead.

Why it matters

Going it alone vs filing with us

On your own

Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.

With Lifeset Overseas

An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
1,200+ approvals, handled by one licensed consultant end to end.

Refused before?

A refusal isn't the end

Refused applicants often win the second time — once the real reason is fixed. If a Netherlands visa has been refused, we:

Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
Rebuild a stronger application — same fixed fee, refusal or first try.

Get refusal support

Your next step

Ready to start your Netherlands Tourist Visa?

A visa file is won or lost on the small things — a mismatched date, a thin financial trail, a document formatted wrong. We go deep into your profile, build every document properly, and give you an honest verdict before you commit. If your case isn't ready, we'll tell you — and tell you exactly how to fix it.

Free, honest assessment
We read your full profile and tell you straight whether your case is ready — before you pay anything.
Your file, built right
Every document prepared, apostilled, translated and stress-tested the way the embassy expects.
One consultant, end to end
The same person handles your case from the first call to the visa decision — no hand-offs.
We handle the process
VFS appointment, biometrics, submission and follow-up — we manage the moving parts for you.

licensed (No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024)Fixed fees agreed upfrontWe won’t take a case we believe will fail

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