Important information for visitors with a short-stay visa (Schengen Visa)

As soon as you get your visa, make sure the information in it is correct.

As soon as you receive your short-stay visa, make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

·          Your passport has a passport number. This number is also indicated on the visa. Make sure that these numbers are the same.

·          You applied for your visa for a specific period or periods. Check that the entry and exit dates stated on the visa correspond with your air ticket.

·          Check that the number of entries you applied for (one, two, or multiple) corresponds with the number of entries indicated on your visa sticker.

·          Check that your name is spelled correctly.

Do this yourself in order to avoid any problems or extra costs arising when using your visa. If you think that the information on the visa is incorrect, tell the consulate or embassy immediately so that any errors can be corrected.

Your visa may be inspected within the Schengen Area.

Your short-stay visa allows you to travel to the Netherlands and usually to other countries within the Schengen Area. But it does not automatically entitle you to enter the Schengen Area. So you may have to provide certain information at border or other controls. You may, for instance, have to provide information on your means of support, how long you intend to stay in the Netherlands, and why you are visiting the Netherlands. In some cases, such checks may result in a refusal to allow a visa holder to enter the Netherlands or the Schengen Area.

To reduce the risk of delays at borders and other inconveniences, keep the following documents with you during your journey and stay:

·          proof of travel medical insurance. This insurance must be valid while you are in the Schengen Area;

·          proof that you have enough money to support yourself in the Schengen Area. Such proof may include convertible currency, travellers’ cheques, and bank books (passbooks);

·          if someone else is acting as your financial guarantor, a copy of the guarantor’s declaration and information about the guarantor’s income;

·          if your visa has been issued for the purpose of visiting family or friends, a copy of the (legalised) letter of invitation from these persons;

·          if your visa has been issued for business travel, documents proving that this is the purpose of your journey;

·          if your visa has been issued for the purpose of medical treatment, documents proving that this is the purpose of your journey;

·          if your visa has been issued to you as a relative of an EU/EEA citizen, documents proving your family ties with this person.

Your stay in the Netherlands

Within 72 hours of arriving in the Netherlands, you must report to the Aliens Police in the municipality where you are staying, unless you are staying in a hotel or on a campsite.

If you plan to work during your stay, your employer or work placement provider must have an employment permit (TWV) ready for you.

NB: You must keep to the period for which your visa is valid. If you overstay by three or more days, you will be declared an undesirable alien and may be banned from entering the Netherlands for some years.

If your visa is valid for two or multiple entries, remember that you are not allowed to stay in the Netherlands and the other Schengen countries for longer than 90 days within a period of 180 days. The 180-day period begins on the date when you enter the Schengen Area for the first time.

HAVE A PLEASANT JOURNEY AND AN ENJOYABLE STAY.