Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Entry / ReturnVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands Entry Visa (Return Visa for Residence Permit Holders)
The Netherlands Entry Visa is a specialised short-stay Schengen visa for foreign nationals (non-Dutch) who already hold — or recently held — a valid long-term Dutch residence permit, and whose document was lost, stolen, or expired while they were outside the Schengen area. It allows the holder to re-enter the Netherlands so they can apply for a replacement residence permit at the IND.
Processing
Average 15 calendar days from submission; maximum 45 calendar days
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days — sufficient to re-enter and apply for a replacement residence permit
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
- Non-Dutch residents with a valid (or recently valid) Dutch long-term residence permit that was lost, stolen, or expired during overseas travel
- Holders of an IND-issued V-number seeking to return to the Netherlands to renew their residence permit
Not eligible under this visa:
- First-time applicants with no prior Dutch residence permit — apply for an MVV instead
- Short-stay visitors (tourists, business travellers) — apply under the relevant Schengen short-stay category
- Applicants whose previous residence permit was revoked
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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)
Filled ONLINE only.
- !Valid passport / travel document (original)
<10 years old, 2 blank visa pages, valid 3+ months after intended return to the Netherlands, signed.
- !Biometric photograph (3.5cm × 4.5cm, ≤6 months old, white/light background)
Residence permit documents (core requirement)
- !If permit EXPIRED: proof of when you left the Netherlands or Schengen area
E.g. a travel ticket or exit stamp in your passport showing you left before the permit expired.
- !If permit LOST or STOLEN: police report from the location of the incident
Obtain from the local police wherever the document was lost/stolen.
- !If permit LOST or STOLEN: your V-number issued by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service)
Your V-number is printed on IND letters and on the back of your residence permit.
Travel documents
- !Travel reservation back to the Netherlands
A reservation in your name is sufficient — paid ticket not required.
Documents relating to minors (if applicable)
- !Birth certificate extract + consent form signed by non-travelling parent/guardian
- !Signed valid travel document of non-travelling parent/guardian
- ○Court permission / guardianship proof / death certificate (if applicable)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
If lost/stolen: file a police report immediately
At the location of loss/theft. Required for the application.
Retrieve your V-number
Find it on previous IND letters or on the back of your old residence permit. The IND uses it to verify your identity and residence status.
Complete the online Schengen application form
Fill online, print, sign.
Prepare proof of exit
If permit expired, show a travel ticket or exit stamp proving you left the Schengen area before it expired.
Book a travel reservation back to the Netherlands
A reservation in your name is sufficient.
Book VFS appointment and submit + biometrics
Pay €90 + ₹1,855 VFS service charge.
Re-enter and apply at the IND for a replacement residence permit
Once back in the Netherlands, apply for a replacement residence card at the IND. Note: Indian nationals must take a tuberculosis (TB) test within 3 months of return.
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
💡 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.
- Act fast — file the police report and start the Entry Visa application as soon as possible after the incident. The longer you delay, the harder it is to justify.
- If your residence permit expired because of an unavoidable overseas emergency (illness, family crisis), write a supporting letter with documentation — the embassy assesses genuine cases case-by-case.
- Travelling to other Schengen countries on the Entry Visa is technically allowed but discouraged — the visa is designed for direct return.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.No IND record of the applicant — in which case an MVV is the correct route, not an Entry Visa
- 2.Police report missing (for lost/stolen cases)
- 3.V-number cannot be provided or doesn't match IND records
- 4.No proof of timely exit from Schengen (for expired permits)
- 5.Previous overstay or violation on record
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for an Entry Visa?+
What is the V-number and why do I need it?+
Do I need to report the loss to the police first?+
What if my residence permit expired while I was in India?+
Is an Entry Visa different from an MVV?+
Will I need to get a new residence permit after I return?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands Entry Visa — (Return Visa for Residence Permit Holders) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other The Netherlands Visa Types
Netherlands Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Official fees, complete document checklist, processing time, and VFS application guide — sourced from the Dutch embassy and VFS Global.
Netherlands Business & Official Visit Visa (Schengen Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Business or Official Visit Visa from India. Covers meetings, conferences, training, trade fairs, and official visits. Complete fees, documents, and VFS application guide sourced from the Dutch embassy.
Netherlands Visit to Family & Friends Visa (Schengen Type C)
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 — 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.