Travel to the Netherlands for a business visit
If you plan to travel to the Netherlands for a business visit, you may need a short-stay visa and an invitation letter from a Dutch business. Find out what you need for your situation.
What is a business visit?
A business visit means you come to the Netherlands temporarily for a business purpose. For example, during a business visit you are allowed to:
- attend meetings
- visit business events and conferences
- meet suppliers
- negotiate contracts
During a business visit, you are not allowed to carry out paid work or provide services to a Dutch client. Depending on your situation, you may need a work permit or residence permit to do this.
Do you need a visa for your business visit?
Whether or not you need a visa to visit the Netherlands depends on your nationality. Always check the situation that applies to you.
You do not need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. All nationals from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can travel freely within these countries.
If you come to the Netherlands for 90 days or less, your nationality determines whether you require a visa or not. Citizens of certain countries are exempt from this requirement. You should check your situation before travelling.
A valid residence permit issued by a Schengen country usually allows you to stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Make sure your residence permit is still valid and check whether it is recognised for travel within the Schengen area before you travel.
Do the visa check
Find out if you need a visa by filling in your details on the Netherlands Worldwide website. This online tool tells you whether you need a visa and, if necessary, how and where to apply for one.
How long is a short-stay visa valid for?
The short-stay visa is usually valid in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is calculated by looking back at the previous 180 days from any given date and counting all days spent in the Schengen area. The 90 days can be continuous or spread over multiple visits. Days spent in all Schengen countries count towards this limit.
Extra documents needed for a business visit
If you are applying for a short-stay visa for a business visit, you usually need to provide extra documents. For example, you may also need an invitation letter from the Dutch business you will visit. This should include your personal details, the dates of your visit, and the reasons for the visit. This can be an actual letter or a so-called ‘proof of sponsorship’ form.
Attending a conference or event
Are you travelling to the Netherlands for a trade fair or conference? Some conferences may provide invitation letters. If not, you can instead show other documents related to your work, plus proof that you have registered for the event or purchased an admission ticket.
Requirements depend on your personal situation
The requirements can vary depending on your country, the Dutch embassy where you live, and reasons for travel. The visa check tool provides the latest information for the country where you must apply for the short-stay visa.
Advantages of the Orange Carpet Visa Facility
Does your company regularly send staff to the Netherlands for business visits? Then it may be able to apply to become a pre-approved company for the Orange Carpet Visa Facility. This facility is typically for businesses with frequent travellers. And to qualify, it must be able to show a strong record of visa compliance.
The main advantages of the Orange Carpet Facility include:
- Fewer documents needed for visa applications
- The visa applications may be given priority
- Each business visitor may receive long-term multiple-entry visas (up to 5 years)
Keep in mind that the facility is only available to businesses in certain countries.