Visas

New staff members of international organisations may apply for a visa at Dutch representations all over the world.

Where to obtain a visa

Future staff members of international organisations and dependent members of their families forming part of their households may obtain a vi sa if required. See the Protocol Guide, Annexe C (top right link) for a list of countries whose nationals need a visa. They may apply for a visa containing the code BNL-15.

They must apply for a visa at the Dutch representation accredited to their country of origin or habitual residence before they travel to the Netherlands. If there is no Dutch representation in their country of origin or habitual residence, it is possible to send their passports by courier to a Dutch representation in the region. In such cases, the visa applicant need not appear in person at the representation to apply for the visa. The same applies to members of their families forming part of their households and any private servants.

The Aliens and Visas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be informed by the international organisation well in advance if a visa applicant wants to make use of this procedure. This way, the Dutch representation will be notified that an application by courier can be expected. (For contact information, see the Protocol Guide , Addendum I (top right link)

A visa for the unmarried partner of a staff member of an international organisation, not being their spouse or registered partner, can be obtained using the specimen note contained in the Protocol Guide, Annexe A (top right link). An identity card for this category can only be issued if upon arrival in the Netherlands the criteria mentioned in ‘Identity cards’, ‘unmarried partners’ have been met.

Please bear in mind that processing a visa application can take up to four weeks, as it is sometimes necessary to make further inquiries or to consult one or more Schengen countries.

The following documents are required when applying for a visa:

• duly completed visa application form;

• a valid passport (the passport’s validity must exceed the period for which the visa is being applied for by at least six months);

• two passport photographs (see ‘Identity cards’ for requirements passport photograph);

• a Note Verbale from the employer (the international organisation based in the Netherlands). Without the Note Verbale the visa application cannot be considered.

NB: If there is no Dutch representation in the country of origin or habitual residence and the visa is applied for by courier at a Dutch representation in the region, a visa application form must be submitted as well. The form can be downloaded at www.minbuza.nl .

For more information about the procedures involved and the documents required for issuing visas, as well as the different categories of applicant, please see the Protocol Guide, Addendum I, Visa procedures for staff of international organisations (top right link).