Business.gov.nl uses cookies to improve the website. These functional and analytical cookies do not contain your personal data. Do you want to watch video content? Third parties may place tracking cookies to track your online behaviour. You can refuse these tracking cookies. How cookies are used on Business.gov.nl.

Coming to the Netherlands for a business visit

Published by:
Immigration and Naturalisation Service, IND
2 min read

If you plan to come to the Netherlands for a business visit, you may need a short-stay visa and an invitation letter from your Dutch business partner. Find out what applies to your situation.

A business visit means you come to the Netherlands on business: for example, to visit a supplier, an agent, a prospective client, or a trade show. Whether or not you need a visa to visit the Netherlands depends on your nationality. Read the information that applies to you.

I am from the EEA or Switzerland

You do not need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. All nationals from the EEA and Switzerland can travel between member states freely. The EEA consists of the EU plus a number of other European countries. For a full list, see the Netherlands Worldwide website.

I am from a country outside the EEA or Switzerland

Short-stay visa

If you come to the Netherlands for 90 days or less, you will usually need a short-stay visa, also called a Schengen visa. There is an online tool on the IND website where you can fill in your nationality to find out whether you need a short-stay visa, and if so, how to go about getting one.

The short-stay visa is valid in the Schengen area for 90 days within a 180-day period. So, if you have stayed in the Netherlands for 90 days in a row, you cannot return for the next 90 days. This is also true if you have stayed in several Schengen countries for 90 days in a row. Only after the 180-day period is over can you get a new short stay visa.

Invitation letter or form

You will usually also need a letter of invitation from the Dutch company you will visit. This can be an actual letter or a so-called Proof of sponsorship form. There must be information in this letter about why you are coming, and how long you will be staying.

I am from a country outside the EEA or Switzerland, and I have a valid residence permit for an EEA country or Switzerland

You also will need a short-stay visa. You can apply for this at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live.

Stopover in a Dutch airport

Are you flying to the Netherlands, but only for a stopover on your way to and from a non-Schengen country? In that case, you may need an airport transit visa.

How would you rate this page?(question 1 of max 3)
We are sorry to hear that. How can we improve?(question 2 of 3)

Questions relating to this article?

Please contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, IND