Applying for an entry visa for the Netherlands in South Africa

If you are in South Africa and your Dutch residence permit has been lost or stolen, or has expired, follow the steps below to apply for an entry visa.

Attention: Please note: If you live outside the Netherlands and need a visa for a short visit to the Netherlands, apply for a Schengen visa instead.

Step 1: Check whether you need a visa

In some cases, you may not need a visa to return to the Netherlands. Select the situation that applies to you.

Step 2: Gather the documents that you need

The checklist tells you which documents you need for your entry visa application.

Step 3: Make an appointment

Once you have all the documents you need for your entry visa application, make an appointment with VFS Global in South Africa.

How do I make an appointment?

• Avoid unnecessary costs and book your appointment yourself. Do not make an appointment through an intermediary.
• If you are applying for visas for multiple people, make a separate appointment for each person.

Attention: Appointments are currently limited. As soon as possible, the agenda will be opened again for new appointments. Keep checking the website of VFS Global.

Can someone else submit my application for me?

You must appear in person at your appointment to submit your application, even if you’re under 18.

Exception

You don’t need to appear in person to submit your application if:

• you have applied in person for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years (59 months), and:
• you submitted a photo with that application, and:
• your fingerprints were taken for that application (only applies if you are 12 or older).

If you meet all 3 conditions, you can have someone else submit your application for you. The appointment must be under the name of the person submitting your application.

If you are not certain whether VFS Global has your fingerprints on record, you should submit your application in person. VFS Global cannot check this for you.

How can I change or cancel my appointment?

To change or cancel your appointment, contact VFS Global in South Africa.

Step 4: Go to your appointment

Go to your appointment at VFS Global, and bring all the documents on your checklist from step 2 with you, plus the checklist itself.

During your appointment

At your appointment you should:

• submit the documents that are on your checklist together with your passport;
• have your fingerprints taken (only if you are 12 or older);
• answer questions about your trip;
• pay the visa fee;
• say whether you want to collect your passport (with visa affixed) or have it sent to you; and
• receive a reference number to track your application.

The overview of consular fees in South Africa tells you what your visa will cost. You will also need to pay a service fee to VFS Global.

Response to your application

Usually, you will receive an email in response to your application within 15 days. This may take longer in some situations. In that case, you will receive a response within 45 days.

Tracking a visa application

When you submit your application you will receive a reference number from VFS Global. You can use the number to track the status of your visa application online.

Step 5: Collect your passport or have it sent to you

You will receive an email once your application has been processed. The email won’t say whether your application was successful. You can collect your passport or have it sent to you. If your application was approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.

Have your passport sent to you

If you want to have your passport sent to you, you can ask during your appointment how to arrange this.

Collect your passport

If you want to collect your passport in person, you will be given a collection date during your appointment. You can also have someone else collect your passport for you.

If you collect your passport yourself, you must bring:

• a valid identity document; and
• the payment receipt provided by VFS Global.

If someone else collects your passport for you, they must bring:

• a valid identity document;
• a signed letter from you authorising them to collect your passport; and
• the payment receipt provided by VFS Global.

Check the information on your visa

Check that all the information on your visa is correct, including your name and the validity period.

If any of the information is incorrect, or if you cannot use the visa, for example because the validity period does not match the dates of the airline tickets in your application, contact the Netherlands embassy in Pretoria.

Step 6: Prepare for your return trip

Return to the Netherlands within 7 days of the date shown on your visa.

Entry visa validity period

Your entry visa is valid for 7 days after the date shown on the visa. You must return to the Netherlands within that period.

Travelling via a different Schengen area country

You are only allowed to travel to the Netherlands via another country in the Schengen area if this is stated on your visa. The visa states the countries you are allowed to travel through on your way to the Netherlands. The entry visa does not give you the right to stay in any country other than the Netherlands.

What else do I need to travel to the Netherlands?

Arriving in the Netherlands

When you arrive in the Netherlands or another Schengen area country, the visa in your passport will show border control that you are allowed to stay in the Netherlands.

Apply to the IND for a new residence permit once you have returned to the Netherlands.

• Find out how to extend your temporary residence permit
• Find out how to renew your permanent residence permit document

Contact

Do you have a question about making an appointment at VFS Global or about the status of your application?

Do you have a question about something else?