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A single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa are both Schengen visas. The difference is how often you can travel to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries and how long the visa is valid for.
How often you can travel to the Netherlands
How often you can travel to the Netherlands depends on the type of visa you have. You should therefore check whether you have a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
If it says ‘1’ under ‘number of entries’, you have a single-entry visa. If it says ‘MULT’ under ‘number of entries’, you have a multiple-entry visa.
A single-entry visa allows you to travel from a country outside the Schengen area to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries 1 time.
See what countries are in the Schengen area
With a multiple-entry visa, you can travel as often as you wish from a country outside the Schengen area to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries, as long as your visa is valid.
Remember that you are not allowed to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. It makes no difference whether this is 90 consecutive days in the Schengen area, or 90 days divided over 2 or more trips. See the following examples:
- If you have been in the Schengen area for 30 days within a 180-day period you can spend a maximum of 60 more days in the Netherlands or other Schengen countries within the same 180-day period.
- If you have been in the Schengen area for 90 days within a 180-day period you can no longer travel to the Netherlands or another Schengen country with this visa in the same 180-day period. You can however use it to enter the Schengen area again in a new 180-day period, if your visa is still valid and you first spend at least 90 days outside the Schengen area.
See what countries are in the Schengen area
How long is my visa valid?
Your visa will specify the period for which it is valid (see ‘from’ ... ‘to’). The date specified under ‘from’ is the first day on which you can enter the Schengen area.You must have left the Schengen area by the date given under ‘to’.
Visas are usually valid for the duration of the trip for which they are issued. You specify the number of days yourself when you submit the application. Although a single-entry visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days and a multiple-entry visa for up to a maximum of 5 years, your visa may be valid for a shorter period.
Based on your travel plans, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs determines when, for how long and for how many journeys your visa is valid. The period of validity may be shorter than you had expected.
A multiple-entry visa is valid for 1 year in the following situation:
- In the past 2 years, you have been issued with a Schengen visa (not an airport transit visa) 3 times.
- You followed the rules for your visa.
A multiple-entry visa is valid for 2 years in the following situation:
- In the past 2 years, you have been issued with a 1-year multiple-entry visa.
- You followed the rules for your visa.
A multiple-entry visa is valid for 5 years in the following situation:
- In the past 3 years, you have been issued with a 2-year multiple-entry visa.
- You followed the rules for your visa.
How long can I stay in the Netherlands?
Your visa will specify how long you can stay in the Netherlands for within the period for which it is valid, under ‘duration of stay’.
If it says ‘90’, you can stay for a maximum of 90 days in the Netherlands and other countries in the Schengen area.
If you have a multiple-entry visa you can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
If you have spent 90 consecutive days in the Netherlands or in another Schengen country, you must wait at least 90 days before entering the Schengen area again. It does not matter whether you have a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
Applying for a Schengen visa
If you want to apply for a Schengen visa, how and where you do so depends on the country you are in.
Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
