Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Business / Official VisitVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands Business & Official Visit Visa (Schengen Type C)
A Netherlands Business Visa is required if during any part of your visit you intend to conduct business or commercial activities — meetings, conferences, training, or trade fairs. This visa is issued ONLY to travellers who are NOT being paid for work by any entity within the Netherlands. If you intend to undertake paid work, you must apply for an MVV long-stay visa with a work permit instead.
Processing
Average 15 calendar days from submission; maximum 45 calendar days
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
₹9,790
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL The Netherlands visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Your travel document (passport) must NOT be more than 10 years old, have at least 2 blank visa pages, be valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure from the Schengen area, and carry your signature.
- 2Not all travel documents are recognised by the Netherlands — non-recognised documents will result in an INADMISSIBLE application. Check the European Union website if you are uncertain.
- 3Diplomatic and Official passport holders can use the walk-in facility at all Netherlands VFS centres between 09:00 and 10:00 on working days — no prior appointment needed.
- 4In most cases you must submit your application in person. This applies to babies and children too.
- 5Pilots and flight attendants do NOT need to hand over their passport during processing — all other applicants must submit it for the duration of processing.
- 6At the appointment you will sign a declaration acknowledging (a) you understand that all documents must be submitted for the application to be processed, and (b) an incomplete application may be rejected with no refund of visa fees.
- 7If you overstay a Schengen visa, you risk a two-year visa sanction across all Schengen countries.
- 8If you notice a mistake on your visa when collecting it at VFS, notify the agent immediately. If you notice it later or received the visa by courier, contact the Dutch embassy without delay.
Who Can Apply
- Business meetings, negotiations, and client visits
- Conferences, seminars, training sessions, and workshops
- Trade fairs, exhibitions, and industry events (with invitation or admission ticket)
- Official intergovernmental visits on behalf of a government body or organisation
- Delegation trips and corporate teams attending approved events
Not eligible under this visa:
- Paid work performed for a Dutch entity — requires MVV + work permit (TWV)
- Setting up operations / running a business in the Netherlands — requires a self-employed or start-up residence permit
- Internships or research paid by a Dutch institution — see the Cultural/Study category or apply for MVV
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a Type D long-stay visa
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen visa — adult (normal fee) | ₹9,790 |
| Schengen visa — child 6 to 11 years | ₹4,890 |
| Schengen visa — child under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge (per application, with biometrics) | ₹1,855 |
Fees effective 1 April 2026 as published by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Payment accepted in cash, debit/credit card, or UPI at VFS. All fees (visa + service charge) are non-refundable, regardless of visa outcome. Schengen "low fee" of €35 applies only to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus under visa facilitation agreements — not applicable to Indian nationals.
Documents Required
Personal documents
- !Completed and signed Schengen visa application form (with unique code)
Must be filled ONLINE only. Handwritten forms are not accepted.
- !Valid passport (original)
Not more than 10 years old, 2 blank pages, valid 3+ months after Schengen departure, signed.
- !Colour copy of passport bio-data page + last page + previous Schengen stamps
- !Recent biometric photograph (3.5cm × 4.5cm, white/light background, ≤6 months old)
- !Proof of legal residence in India (original + colour copy)
Passport / Indian residence permit / visa / work permit.
Proof of employment and ties to India
- !If employed: employer's NOC / leave-approval letter + last 3 months' payslips + employment contract
Employer letter should confirm job title, salary, tenure, and that the trip is work-sanctioned.
- !If self-employed / company owner: company registration certificate with GST number + business bank statements + ITR with verified barcode
- !Personal bank statements from the last 3 months
Stamped and signed by the bank.
- ○Indian Income Tax Returns for the last 2 years
Strengthens case for ties to India.
Documents relating to the business visit
- !Invitation letter from the Dutch company or organisation
Must include your personal details, duration of stay, where you will be staying, and reason for visit (meetings / conferences / training / business events).
- !Cover letter from your Indian employer
On company letterhead, stating the purpose and details of your trip.
- ○Trade fair / congress admission ticket (if applicable)
If you do not have an invitation, provide paid invoices, orders, annual report, or commercial register extract showing trade/employment relations with Dutch partners.
- ○For official visits: note verbale or government letter stating personal details, duration, accommodation, and purpose
Required if travelling on behalf of an intergovernmental organisation or government body.
- !Proof of accommodation
Hotel reservation for the full trip, OR original + legalised Proof of Sponsorship / Private Accommodation form if staying with a Dutch host.
- !Return flight reservation (not paid ticket)
Reservation in your name covering outbound and return.
- !Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 across Schengen, entire trip
Diplomatic passport holders are exempt.
Documents relating to minors (if applicable)
- !Recent extract of birth certificate
- !Notarised consent from non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s) + their ID proof with photo and signature
- !Colour copy of valid travel document(s) of parent(s)/guardian(s)
- ○Court ruling / death certificate / guardianship proof (if applicable)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Confirm purpose and obtain invitation
Get a formal invitation letter from the Dutch company/organisation covering your personal details, dates, accommodation, and purpose (meeting / conference / training / trade fair).
Complete the online Schengen application form
Fill online to receive the unique code. Print and sign. Handwritten forms rejected.
Prepare employer documents
Cover letter from your Indian employer on letterhead + NOC / leave approval + last 3 months' payslips, OR business registration + GST + ITR if self-employed.
Gather supporting documents
Flight reservation, accommodation proof (hotel or sponsorship form), bank statements stamped by bank, travel insurance €30,000+.
Book VFS appointment
Via the VFS Global Netherlands portal. Diplomatic/Official passport holders: walk-in 09:00–10:00 on working days.
Submit at VFS + biometrics + pay fees
Pay €90 + ₹1,855 VFS service charge. Biometrics taken unless given for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months.
Track + collect
Use track & trace code. 15 days average processing; up to 45 days maximum.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Online Schengen Visa Application Form
Must be completed ONLINE only — the form generates a unique code that the embassy uses to process your file. Print the completed form and sign it. Handwritten forms are NOT accepted.
Proof of Sponsorship and/or Private Accommodation (IND form)
Only if you are being hosted by a Dutch resident. Host completes the form, signs it, and has it legalised at the Dutch municipality (gemeente) where they are registered, then sends the original to you.
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Business Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions focused on business visa criteria. Business applications face different scrutiny — the embassy wants clear purpose, genuine business relationships, and verifiable host.
Who is inviting you to Denmark / the Schengen country?
What form will the invitation take?
How long have you had a business relationship with the Danish host?
How long is your business trip?
What's your role in your Indian company?
What's your Indian company's annual turnover?
Helps establish legitimacy of the business case.
How often do you travel internationally for business?
Have you used a Schengen visa before?
Any previous visa refusals (business or otherwise)?
Your return-to-India anchor?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Complete the Schengen visa application form ONLINE only — forms without a unique code can cause processing issues. Handwritten forms are rejected.
- Travel medical insurance covering minimum €30,000 is MANDATORY and must be valid across all Schengen states for the entire duration of your trip, including arrival and departure dates.
- Personal bank statements must be from the last 3 months, stamped and signed by your bank. Plain print-outs without a bank stamp are not accepted.
- Photo must be colour, no more than 6 months old, 3.5cm × 4.5cm, with a white or light-coloured background. If applying through VFS, a digital photo may be taken at your appointment instead.
- Submit your application at least 15 days before travel — apply 4 to 8 weeks ahead to be safe, especially in peak holiday season.
- Do NOT purchase non-refundable flight tickets before your visa is approved — a flight reservation in your name is sufficient proof.
- If your biometrics were submitted for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you may not need to give them again — but bring your old passport as proof.
- The decision on your application is made by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs — VFS has no role in approvals or rejections.
- The invitation letter from the Dutch company is the single most important document — make sure it explicitly states your personal details, exact dates, accommodation arrangement, and the specific business purpose.
- If the Dutch inviting party is paying for your stay, this must be explicitly stated in the invitation letter — the applicant still needs to show some personal funds for emergencies.
- Frequent business travellers should ask HR whether their employer is registered under the Orange Carpet Programme — it offers priority processing, longer multi-entry visas, and walk-in submission.
- If attending a trade fair without a formal invitation, bring the admission ticket plus supporting trade documents (contracts, paid invoices, orders from Dutch partners).
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Invitation letter missing key details (dates, purpose, host contact, signatory)
- 2.Employer NOC missing or inconsistent with stated trip purpose
- 3.Self-employed applicants failing to show GST registration and business bank statements
- 4.Unclear or overly generic statement of business activity
- 5.Weak ties to India — young, single applicants with minimal travel history often require stronger documentation
- 6.Travel insurance below €30,000 or not covering all Schengen states
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Business Visa and a Work Visa?+
Can I attend a trade fair without a formal invitation letter?+
What must the invitation letter from the Dutch company include?+
Who pays for my stay — me or the inviting Dutch company?+
Is a multiple-entry Business Visa possible?+
Can I bring my spouse on my Business Visa trip?+
Can I start or register a company in the Netherlands on a Business Visa?+
Can SureshotVisa help me with the Business Visa application?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands Business & Official Visit Visa — (Schengen Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other The Netherlands Visa Types
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Apply for a Netherlands Visit to Family & Friends Visa from India. Covers visits to Dutch resident family, friends, and partners. Sponsorship form requirements, complete checklist, fees, and processing time.
Netherlands Airport Transit Visa (Type A)
Information on the Netherlands Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for changing aircraft at a Schengen airport. Indian passport holders typically do NOT require an ATV — check before applying.
Netherlands Entry Visa (Return Visa for Residence Permit Holders)
Apply for a Netherlands Entry Visa (Return Visa) if your Dutch long-term residence permit was lost, stolen, or expired while you were abroad. Complete documents, fees, and process.
Netherlands — Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen (Facilitated Schengen Visa)
Facilitated Schengen visa for family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens travelling to or joining them in the Netherlands. Visa fee is WAIVED under EU Directive 2004/38/EC. Includes Chavez-Vilchez route for parents of Dutch minor children.
Netherlands Seafarer Visa — Blue Carpet Programme (Schengen Type C)
Facilitated Schengen visa for Indian seafarers joining a ship in a Dutch port under the Blue Carpet Programme. Priority processing, multi-entry visas, 9-month advance application window. Complete documents and invitation requirements.
Netherlands Cultural, Sports, Religious & Film Crews Visa (Schengen Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa to attend cultural events, sports competitions, religious gatherings, or as a film crew member. Only for travellers not paid by a Dutch entity. Complete documents, fees, and process.
Netherlands Orange Carpet Visa (Facilitated Business — Schengen Type C)
Fast-track business Schengen visa for employees of companies registered with the Netherlands Embassy in India as Orange Carpet eligible. Walk-in submission, priority processing, simplified documentation.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global The Netherlands website and Embassy of The Netherlands. Last verified 2026-04-24. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.