The Netherlands

Visas

Tourists from nearly 60 countries – including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, the USA and most of Europe – need only a valid passport to visit the Netherlands for up to three months. EU nationals can enter for three months with just their national identity card.

Nationals of most other countries need a so-called Schengen visa, named after the Schengen Agreement that abolished passport controls between the EU member states (except the UK and Ireland) plus Norway and Iceland. A visa for any of these countries is valid for 90 days within a period of six months. Some countries may impose restrictions on some nationalities.

Schengen visas are issued by Dutch embassies or consulates and can be valid for anything from a few days to two months. You’ll need a passport valid until at least three months after your visit, and you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay. Fees vary depending on your nationality, but expect to pay around €35. Tourist visas can be extended for another three months maximum, but you’ll need a good reason and the extension will only be valid for the Netherlands, not the Schengen area.

Visa extensions are handled by the Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (Immigration & Naturalisation Service; 020-889 3045, 09001234561; www.ind.nl); call it about visa extensions for anywhere in the country (the 0900 number costs €0.10 per minute). Study visas must be applied for via your college or university in the Netherlands.