NETHERLANDS SHORT-TERM VISA FOR PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDERS
Table of Contents
Nothing will give you the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) quite like the hype surrounding The Netherlands. Whether you’re planning a visit or just want to know some fun facts and trivia, here are 26 things that The Netherlands is known and famous for!
In this article, I will guide you on how to apply for a Schengen Netherlands Visa with your Philippine Passport.
Who is eligible to apply for a Dutch short-term visa?
Apply only at the Embassy of Netherlands only if ANY of these is true:
- Sa Netherlands lang kayo pupunta and will not visit any other country.
- You will visit multiple Schengen countries, but you will stay the longest in the Netherlands.
- You will visit multiple Schengen countries, but the main purpose of your journey is in the Netherlads. (Example: you will attend a wedding or a conference in the Netherlands, but you plan on going out to other Schengen countries while you’re there.)
- You will stay in multiple Schengen countries for the same number of days, but Sweden is your first point of entry, meaning, the Netherlands will be your first entry.
Note: You can’t apply at the Dutch Embassy when the only country you’re visiting is Norway. You can’t apply at the Dutch Embassy if you’ll be staying in Norway for one week and in the Netherlands for two days.
Important Documents to Prepare
1. A duly filled out application form through this link which must be duly completed and signed. This form basically determines the requirements you need to fulfill.
2. Two current biometrical passport photos (35-45 mm width)– A passport photo that meets Dutch passport requirements. This photo cannot have been taken more than 6 months ago and must bear a clear resemblance. See: photo guidelines.
3. Original Passport and a Photocopy of it as well as the Bio Page– The embassy requires that your passport is valid for at least another three months on the date the visa application is submitted. It also must have two empty pages for them to stamp your passport. If you have renewed your passport, bring your old one/s with you. These are needed especially if you have previous overseas trips.
4. Proof of travel/ Travel plan (travel destination, route, proof of accommodation, and itinerary) – a copy of the roundtrip airline booking with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Netherlands. With the necessary documents needed, this should clearly state the purpose of your travel. You just need to show a flight itinerary from the Philippines that should cover your entry and exit to and from the Netherlands and to all Schengen countries of destinations, including your exit and entry from MANILA TO MANILA (EX. MANILA-NETHERLANDS-SPAIN-NETHERLANDS-MANILA).
- If applying as a Tourist:
- A cover letter addressed to the Dutch Embassy Consul. If you are a first-time traveler to the Netherlands, please submit an informal declaration through a cover letter explaining your willingness to return to the Philippines before the expiration of your visa: What exactly will be an incentive for you to return to the Philippines, and can you submit proofs for these circumstances?
- Your day-to-day itinerary – be specific in indicating the place you will visit and the tours you will join or take.
- Proof of accommodation or Hotel reservations – you would need to show hotel bookings, but this does not mean that you must pay for your hotel reservations this early. You can check via Booking.com, Airbnb, Agoda, or simply an apartment.
- If joining a cruise, please provide your booking certificate and the ship’s itinerary.
- Flight reservation – Reservation ONLY. Do not pay for your flight reservations until your visa is approved. You can avail of my services for a dummy ticket so that I can assist you with your flight reservations. Get a flight reservation here.
- If visiting family or friends / If visiting boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancé (Visit Visa for unmarried couples):
- An informal invitation letter that was written by the host or by your partner who is based in the Netherlands– the content should include the host’s exact address of residence, the purpose of your travel, and the full duration of your travel and stay at your host’s country.
- Proof of relationship with the host, sponsor, or partner – these can be birth certificates, marriage certificates, written correspondence between you and your sponsor (screenshot of video calls and chats), proof of telephone connections, and other evidence of the relationship between you and your sponsor, and photos together.
- Detailed Itinerary– the exact destinations/sights that you will be visiting during the entire duration of your trip.
- If visiting family or friends / If visiting boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancé (Visit Visa for unmarried couples):
7. Proof of vaccination– As most European countries have decided to welcome vaccinated travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch Government has made public the list of vaccines that are recognized by the country’s authorities.
“Proof of vaccination is accepted only if it has been issued following vaccination with a vaccine that has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or is on the Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization (WHO),” the Ministry’s statement reads.
This means that the following vaccines are accepted in the Netherlands:
8. Proof of Funds or Financial Capacity – these documents are necessary to prove that you can either support yourself or your sponsor can cover your expenses financially during the whole duration of your travel.
- If applying as a Tourist or as a Visitor without a Sponsor – this means that you will cover all your expenses during the entire duration of your travel.
- Bank statements – must show records of the past six months. A bank statement shows your transactions in your account at a specific period. It will show debits (withdrawals, payments, taxes, service fees) and credits (deposits, interest earned.) Bank Statements can also be seen online especially if you have a registered account. There is no signature for the manager or a bank officer.
- Bank Certificate – it is a confirmation by the branch manager or a bank officer that you have an existing account in their bank. It shows the account number, the type, and other details such as the opening date of your account, your account balance as of the date of request, and your average daily balance.
- Other proof of income (supporting documents) – although it is not really required, you can submit invoices and pay slip equivalent to prove that you earn enough to support this trip financially.
- If applying as a Tourist or as a Visitor with a Sponsor – this means that your host and/or sponsor (family, friend, partner, or fiancé) pledges to take full responsibility to cover all the expenses that you will incur during the whole duration of your travel.
- If applying as a Tourist or as a Visitor without a Sponsor – this means that you will cover all your expenses during the entire duration of your travel.
If you maintain a bank account for a long time, better maintain it. Kahit na may sponsor ka, of course, plus points pa din sa visa application mo if idadagdag mo din bank statements mo, payslips from our employer, and other proof na financially capable ka din and most importantly, it proves deep rootedness as well.
Sponsorship Letter which should state the fact that he/ she is inviting you to come over, your relationship with each other, and that he/ she is willing to sponsor you during your trip. Of course, it needs to have documentary proof.
Original Affidavit of Support, legalized by the Dutch municipality where the sponsor is registered
The sponsor’s copies of: passport including the biodata page and travel history (passport stamps) and Resident ID card
Recent proof of income of the sponsor (3 last months’ salary slips, etc.)
Proof of relationship with the sponsor (pictures together, Birth or Marriage certificate, and screenshot of chat conversations)
9. Proof of Accommodation –confirmation of hotel booking, hotel voucher, or letter of promised accommodation by the host. You would need to show hotel bookings, but this does not mean that you must pay for your hotel reservations this early. You can check via Booking.com, Airbnb, Agoda, or simply an apartment which does not require a pre-payment. This means, pwede ka mag book ng accommodation online without having to pay it agad and you can even cancel the booking a day before your arrival with NO cancellation charges at all. So yes, you can make reservations without any payment, you can change the reservation anytime, AND you can cancel them at no cost as well if in case your visa is not approved. If you will be staying in other countries aside from the Netherlands during your stay, you must also provide hotel booking confirmation for those.
10. Proof of Civil Status – Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate of the spouse, etc. These documents must be issued on security paper (SECPA) by the Philippine Statistics Authority, see http://www.psaserbilis.com.ph.
Note: The birth certificate does not need to be authenticated by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
11. Evidence of your rootedness in the Philippines – Evidence of deep-rootedness a.k.a. strong family and social ties to your home country, is one of the most critical requirements when applying for a Schengen Visa. It is what the Consul will look for in your visa application. So how do you prove that you are firmly established in the Philippines and that you will go back to your home country?
- For Employees:
- Employment or Work contract and bank account statements or payslips showing the transfer of your last six-monthly salaries
- Certificate of Employment which should include the employer’s full name, complete address, telephone number with area code, details regarding the position, income, and employment duration
- Approved letter of approved leave signed by your employer (Leave of Absence letter)
- Optional: Signed No Objection Certificate which states that your employer has no objection for you to travel to Switzerland and that they have approved your leave request
- Most recent Income Tax Return 2316 (ITR)
- Optional Supporting Documents:
› Government Mandated Contributions – SSS, Pag-ibig, Philhealth Contributions
› If with existing loan – SSS Loan or Pag-ibig Salary loan
- Property Titles: if you have some, the following are accepted.
- Land titles
- Car registration certificates
- Deeds of Sale
- For Minors
- Joint affidavit of both parents or legal guardians granting consent
- Photocopies of the passports of both parents or legal guardians
- Birth certificate of the minor. Must be recent, original, and issued by PSA.
- DSWD Clearance, if the minor is not traveling with either parent or legal guardian
- Recent certificate of enrollment from the school
- Letter authorizing the student’s absence from school
- For Employees:
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for a Dutch Schengen Visa
STEP 1: Determine whether you will apply for a TOURIST VISA or a VISIT VISA and have a look at the checklist of requirements to gather all the documents that you need to submit. Each application must comply with the guidelines applicable for your visa category.
- Tourist visa checklist
- Visit Visa for family and friends (including children under 18 years old) check list
- LDR Visa (for unmarried couples) checklist
Gather all your documents for whichever category of visa you will apply for. Your application should be supported by a handful of paperwork, which I will discuss in detail in the next section.
Note: Once you have completed all your documents based on the checklist, make sure to secure another copy for each document.
STEP 2: Book your appointment via VFS Global Appointment Page. It is required that you set a date when you will submit your application requirements and be interviewed.
It is also important that once you get routed to this page, you must register your information and e-mail address first. If you have already done this before, skip the account pre-registration part and simply log-in. Once the reservation is done, you will receive a confirmation via email.
On the site:
- Log-in using the details you used in your application form.
- Click the schedule for an appointment. Fill in the details and click “Continue”.
- Add the applicants.
- Select the preferred schedule and book your appointment.
- Print the appointment letter and bring it to your appointment.
To know more about the step-by-step process on how to set an appointment, please watch my vlog that I made previously for you to be guided: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoYz_cWbbvchttps://youtu.be/EoYz_cWbbvc
STEP 3: Show up on your appointment date with VFS Global. Show up on your appointment date at VFS Global at 30th Floor, The World Centre, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines and bring all your documents as well as a photocopy of each. They will then collect your documents as well as your Passport, get your biometrics, and collect the Visa Fee.
STEP 4: Track the status of your application on this link: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/nld/track-application
STEP 5: Wait for the result and collect your passport. You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection from the visa center where you applied. You can either pay an additional fee for the courier and have your passport sent to your address or you can pick-up your passport at the VFS Global. If your visa is approved, you’ll find a sticker visa in one of the pages of your passport. If your visa is denied, then you’ll find a white paper enclosed in your passport specifying the reason for denial.
Quick Facts
- Validity of Visa : Short-stay Schengen visas allow people to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days every six-month period
- Processing time: The average processing time is 2 weeks, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, where visa staff work on a skeletal schedule, it may take between 2 to 4 weeks.
- Where to lodge your application:
- VFS Manila
Ground Floor, Eco- Plaza Bldg., 2305 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati, Metro Manila
- VFS Manila
- VFS Cebu
Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000
- VFS Cebu
- Embassy’s Information:
- Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
- Address: L26, Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Telephone Number: +63 2 8786 6666
- E-mail address: (For general questions) man@minbuza.nl
For questions about passports, consular certificates, legalizations etc., please send and email via the contact form.
Website: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/philippines
- Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
- Visa and Service Fees:
- All charges (Visa Fee, VFS Service charges and other charges) are to be paid in cash only in Philippine peso.
- Visa Fee – 80 Euros
- For 6-12 years – 40 Euros
- VFS processing fee – Php 1,520
- Shipment fee for the delivery of your passport: Php 1,460 (two-way shipment fee: Manila- Bangkok)
- All charges (Visa Fee, VFS Service charges and other charges) are to be paid in cash only in Philippine peso.
Note:
- The applicable visa fee is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change. All the fees are non-refundable.
- There is a service charge levied per application above the visa fees.
- The Visa Application Centre offers an optional service at a nominal additional cost.
- The following fees are non-refundable:
- Photocopying
- Photograph service
- Courier service
- SMS Service
- Please click here for more information on the optional service.
Recap and Tips
So, just a recap and a reminder, please don’t forget these TIPS:
If you ever need help, you can avail my visa application bundle, and I will be glad to help you through the process!
