Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visit to Family & FriendsVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands Visit to Family & Friends Visa (Schengen Type C)
If you are travelling to the Netherlands to visit family or friends — including a partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend — you apply under this category. The central requirement is a Proof of Sponsorship and/or Private Accommodation form completed by your Dutch host, signed, and legalised at the municipality (gemeente) where they are registered. The visa is valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
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
- Parents visiting children settled in the Netherlands
- Siblings and extended family visiting for gatherings or events
- Visits to partners (marital or non-marital — including boyfriend/girlfriend)
- Guests attending weddings, family functions, or private events
- Visits to friends with a registered Dutch address
Not eligible under this visa:
- Business or commercial visits — apply under Business & Official Visit
- Long-term family reunification (spouse/partner/children joining you permanently) — requires MVV family reunification
- Paid work — requires MVV + work permit
- Stays longer than 90 days
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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 (standard Schengen)
- !Completed and signed Schengen visa application form (with unique code)
Filled ONLINE only. Handwritten forms rejected.
- !Valid passport + colour copy of bio-data, last page, previous Schengen stamps
<10 years old, 2 blank pages, valid 3+ months after Schengen departure.
- !Biometric photograph (3.5cm × 4.5cm, white/light background, ≤6 months old)
- !Proof of legal residence in India (original + colour copy)
Proof of sponsorship / private accommodation (core requirement)
- !Original Proof of Sponsorship and/or Private Accommodation form from your Dutch host
Host fills the form, signs it, and has it LEGALISED at the Dutch municipality (gemeente) where they are registered. Original must be couriered to you — no scans accepted. Arrange 4–6 weeks in advance.
- !Colour copy of host's Dutch ID card, passport, or Dutch residence permit
If host is not a Dutch national, they must hold a valid Dutch residence permit.
- ○Separate sponsorship form from the host if subsistence sponsor differs from accommodation host
If one person pays and another person hosts, BOTH submit separate forms.
- ○Relationship proof (if visiting partner or extended family)
Marriage certificate, photos, chat/call logs, or declaration of relationship — strengthens case for unmarried partners.
Ties to India + financial documents
- !If employed: employer NOC + last 3 months' payslips + employment contract
Even if host is sponsoring, your own ties to India are assessed.
- !If self-employed: company registration + GST + business bank statements + ITR
- !Personal bank statements last 3 months (stamped + signed by bank)
- ○Indian ITRs for the last 2 years
Strengthens financial profile.
Travel documents
- !Cover letter explaining relationship to host and reason for visit
- !Return flight reservation (not paid ticket)
- !Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 across Schengen, full trip
Diplomatic passport holders exempt.
Documents relating to minors (if applicable)
- !Recent extract of birth certificate (original + copy)
- !Notarised consent from non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s)
Both parents' consent if child travels alone.
- !ID proof of parent(s) with photo and signature
- ○Court ruling / death certificate / guardianship proof (if applicable)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Ask your Dutch host to prepare the sponsorship form
Host downloads the Proof of Sponsorship / Private Accommodation form, fills it, signs it, and legalises it at their gemeente (Dutch municipality). The gemeente will assess whether the host meets the minimum income threshold. Allow 4–6 weeks.
Collect the original legalised form
Host must courier the ORIGINAL to you — scanned copies are not accepted. Also obtain a colour copy of the host's Dutch ID/passport/residence permit.
Complete the online Schengen application form
Fill online, print, sign.
Gather ties-to-India documents
Employer NOC, payslips, bank statements (stamped), ITRs. These are assessed even when a sponsor is involved.
Buy travel medical insurance (€30,000+)
Valid across all Schengen for the whole trip, including arrival and departure days.
Book flight reservations and draft cover letter
Flight reservation in your name; cover letter explaining the relationship to the host and the reason for the visit.
Book VFS appointment and submit
Submit in person with all documents. Biometrics taken (if not given in last 59 months). Pay €90 + ₹1,855 VFS service charge.
Track + collect
15 days average, 45 days maximum. Track via the VFS website using your track & trace code.
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.
- Start the sponsorship form process 6–8 weeks ahead — municipality legalisation can take several weeks, and the original form must physically arrive in India.
- Your host must meet the Dutch minimum-income threshold for sponsorship — the gemeente assesses this during legalisation. If they're a student or low-income resident, pair their form with stronger self-funding from your side.
- For partner visits, include relationship evidence: photos together over time, chat/call logs, joint travel history, or a written declaration of relationship. This is especially important for unmarried couples.
- If you are also visiting other Schengen countries, bring hotel bookings for those countries in addition to the sponsorship form.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Sponsorship form missing municipality legalisation
- 2.Sponsor's income below the Dutch minimum threshold
- 3.Relationship to host not clearly established or evidenced
- 4.Weak own-ties to India — embassy not convinced of return intent
- 5.Insurance below €30,000 or not covering full trip
- 6.Inconsistencies between cover letter, form, and supporting documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor me for a Family/Friends visit visa to the Netherlands?+
What is the Proof of Sponsorship / Private Accommodation form?+
Can I visit a live-in partner / boyfriend / girlfriend under this category?+
Do I still need a hotel booking if I'm staying with my host?+
What if my sponsor is a student in the Netherlands?+
Can my Dutch friend sponsor me even if they're not a blood relative?+
How long in advance should my host send the form?+
Can SureshotVisa help me with the Family & Friends Visa application?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands Visit to Family & Friends 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
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 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.