When should I apply for a Netherlands visa from the UAE?

You can apply up to 6 months before your trip, and at least 15 calendar days before you travel. Apply early, because appointments fill up before holidays.

Do I need a day-by-day itinerary for the Netherlands?

Yes, prepare one. Show where you stay each night and what you plan to do, matching your flights and hotel bookings.

Do I need to buy a flight ticket before applying?

No. A Flight Reservation is enough. Avoid paying for a full ticket before your visa is decided.

Home › Schengen visa checklists › Netherlands

🇳🇱 Netherlands Schengen visa from the UAE: document checklist

What the Netherlands asks UAE residents to bring for a short-stay (tourist or family visit) Schengen visa, in plain English, with where to apply and when.

Where to apply. At the VFS Global application centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Book your appointment yourself on the VFS Global UAE website. Each person needs their own appointment.

When. Up to 6 months before your trip, and at least 15 calendar days before you travel.

Fees. You pay the visa fee and the VFS Global service fee. Check the current amounts on the VFS Global website when you book.

Good to know. The exact document list depends on the main purpose of your trip and is published on the VFS Global website. Missing documents can lead to a refusal.

The Netherlands checklist for UAE residents

1. Application

1.1Completed and signed application formThe Schengen visa application form, filled in completely and signed.
1.2VFS appointment confirmationBook online on the VFS Global UAE website for Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Every applicant needs their own appointment.
1.3Passport, plus copiesValid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, issued in the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages. Bring copies of the data page and previous Schengen visas.
1.4Two recent photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cmWhite background, taken in the last 6 months.
1.5UAE residence visa and Emirates IDCopies of both, valid well beyond your return date.

2. Your trip

2.1Flight ReservationReturn reservation matching your travel dates.
2.2Accommodation for the whole stayHotel bookings for every night, or an invitation from your host in the Netherlands.
2.3Travel medical insuranceAt least €30,000 cover, valid in all Schengen states for your whole stay.
2.4Day-by-day itineraryWhere you stay each night and what you plan to do in the Netherlands, matching your flights and hotels.

3. Money and ties

3.1Bank statements, last 3 to 6 monthsStamped by the bank, showing your salary and enough funds for the trip.
3.2Employer NOC and salary certificateFor employees: on company letterhead, signed and stamped, with your approved leave dates.
3.3Trade licence and company bank statementsFor business owners.
3.4Cover letterPurpose, dates, who pays and your ties to the UAE.

Source: Netherlands Worldwide, apply in the UAE, and the VFS Global checklist for the Netherlands in the UAE. Lists change, so check the official page before you apply.

Get your Netherlands pack ready

Skip the agent. We prepare everything for you: your personal checklist, NOC, salary certificate and cover letter ready to sign, a Flight Reservation and a day-by-day itinerary, all with the same names and dates.

AED 250 per person, 20% off for 3 or more.

Start your Netherlands application

Why not an agent?

Agents often charge several times our price, usually upfront, and nobody can guarantee an appointment or a visa. With VisaQube everything is prepared for you: you review, sign and apply, and your passport stays with you.

Common questions

Where do UAE residents apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa?: At the VFS Global application centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Book your appointment yourself on the VFS Global UAE website; the Dutch government advises not to book through an intermediary.
When should I apply for a Netherlands visa from the UAE?: You can apply up to 6 months before your trip, and at least 15 calendar days before you travel. Apply early, because appointments fill up before holidays.
Do I need a day-by-day itinerary for the Netherlands?: Yes, prepare one. Show where you stay each night and what you plan to do, matching your flights and hotel bookings.
Do I need to buy a flight ticket before applying?: No. A Flight Reservation is enough. Avoid paying for a full ticket before your visa is decided.

Other Schengen countries