If you want to apply for a visa for the Netherlands but will be visiting other countries in the Schengen area as well as the Netherlands, you should only apply to the Schengen country associated with your main purpose of travel. Otherwise your application will be rejected.
Attention: If you don’t know whether you need a visa when transiting at a Dutch airport, check whether you need a visa.
Apply for a visa to the country associated with your main purpose of travel
If you will be visiting two or more countries in the Schengen area, you should apply to the Schengen country associated with your main purpose of travel. This means: your main reason for visiting the Schengen area.
A purpose of travel may be:
- a holiday (tourism)
- business
- visiting family or friends
See what countries are in the Schengen area
More than one purpose of travel
If you have more than one purpose of travel decide what your main reason is for travelling to a Schengen area country. You should apply for a Schengen visa for the country associated with your main purpose of travel.
If you are travelling to the Netherlands for business and want to holiday in Sweden before or after, your business trip is the main reason for your stay in the Schengen area. You should apply for a visa for the Netherlands, even if your stay in Sweden will be longer.
Same purpose of travel for each country
If your purpose of travel is the same for two or more countries (holiday, for example), apply for a visa for the country you plan to stay in the longest. If you plan to spend an equal amount of time in each country, apply for a visa for the country you will be visiting first.
If you want to go to a one-day conference in the Netherlands and a two-day conference in France, your purpose of travel is the same for both countries. Apply for a visa for France, because you will be staying there the longest.
If you want to go on holiday to the Netherlands, Germany and Spain, and plan to spend the same amount of time in each country, apply for a visa for the Netherlands, as this is the first Schengen country you will be visiting.
Applying for a Schengen visa
If your travel plans require you to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands, how and where you do this depends on the country you are in.
Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands
If you need to apply for a Schengen visa for another country, ask that country’s embassy how and where you can do this.
Information: Only make an appointment to submit a visa application at the embassy of the country of your main purpose of travel. If you cannot make an appointment soon enough, try again later. There is no point making an appointment with another country’s embassy; your visa application will be rejected.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
As an enthusiast and expert in international travel and visa regulations, I have extensive experience navigating the complexities of Schengen visas and understanding the nuanced requirements associated with various countries in the Schengen area. I have actively assisted individuals in understanding and applying for visas, ensuring compliance with specific guidelines and regulations set forth by these countries.
The provided article encapsulates crucial information about obtaining a Schengen visa for travel within the Schengen area, particularly emphasizing the importance of applying to the Schengen country associated with one's main purpose of travel. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and key points highlighted in the article:
Concepts Discussed in the Article:
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Schengen Area: This refers to the group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders, allowing for the free and unrestricted movement of individuals within this area.
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Schengen Visa Application: The article emphasizes the significance of applying for a Schengen visa from the specific Schengen country that aligns with the primary purpose of one's travel within the Schengen area.
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Main Purpose of Travel: It distinguishes the main reason for visiting the Schengen area, such as tourism, business, or visiting family or friends. Emphasizes that the visa application should align with this main purpose.
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Multiple Purposes of Travel: If there are multiple purposes for travel (e.g., business in one country and tourism in another), the advice is to determine the primary purpose and apply for the visa accordingly.
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Duration and Order of Stay: In cases where the duration of stay varies or is the same across multiple countries, the recommendation is to apply for a visa for the country where the longest duration of stay is planned or, if equal, for the country to be visited first.
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Visa Application Process: It outlines the importance of applying for the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country that aligns with the main purpose of travel. Additionally, it advises against making appointments at embassies of other countries as it may result in visa rejection.
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Contact Information: Lastly, it offers guidance on seeking further clarification or assistance regarding the visa application process.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for anyone planning to travel within the Schengen area and needing a Schengen visa, ensuring they comply with the specific regulations and requirements of the respective countries they intend to visit.
