Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Orange Carpet BusinessVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands Orange Carpet Visa (Facilitated Business — Schengen Type C)
The Orange Carpet Programme is a facilitated business-visa route for employees of companies that are registered with the Netherlands Embassy in India as Orange Carpet eligible. It offers priority processing, simplified documentation (tailored per company), and walk-in submission at select VFS centres without needing to book an appointment. The visa is a standard Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) for business — meetings, conferences, training, and trade fairs — and can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by a Dutch entity.
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
- Employees of companies registered with the Netherlands Embassy in India under the Orange Carpet Programme
- Trade delegations and corporate teams attending approved events
- Non-paid business activities only — meetings, conferences, training, trade fairs
Not eligible under this visa:
- Paid work for a Dutch entity — requires MVV + work permit
- Employees of non-Orange-Carpet-registered companies — use the standard Business Visa
- Personal or leisure travel — use the Tourist Visa
- Family / private visits — use Visit to Family & Friends
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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
Company-specific documents (ask your Orange Carpet contact person)
- !Customised documents checklist from your company's Orange Carpet contact person
Each Orange Carpet employer maintains a tailored checklist. Always submit every document they request — missing items will cause rejection despite the fast-track.
- !Letter from your Orange Carpet employer
Confirms your employment and the purpose/duration of the business trip.
Standard Schengen core documents
- !Completed and signed Schengen visa application form (with unique code)
Filled ONLINE only.
- !Valid passport + colour copy of bio-data, last page, previous Schengen stamps
- !Biometric photograph (3.5cm × 4.5cm, white/light background, ≤6 months old)
May be waived if biometrics given for a Schengen visa in last 59 months.
- !Invitation from the Dutch host company/partner
- !Travel itinerary + accommodation proof + travel medical insurance (€30,000+)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Confirm your company is Orange Carpet registered
Ask your HR or internal travel desk. Only employees of formally registered companies qualify. If not registered, use the standard Business Visa route.
Get tailored checklist from company's Orange Carpet contact
Each registered company maintains a custom documents checklist. Submit every item they request.
Complete the online Schengen application form
Fill online, print, sign.
Walk in during designated Orange Carpet hours (no appointment needed)
Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai: 09:00–10:00. New Delhi: 08:30–09:30. Pune: 08:00–09:00. Or book a regular online appointment if those hours don't suit you.
Submit + pay fees
€90 visa fee + ₹1,855 VFS service charge (cash / debit / credit / UPI).
Track + collect
Processing is prioritised — often faster than the standard 15-day window. 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.
- If your company is frequently sending employees to the Netherlands, ask HR to register the company for Orange Carpet — eligibility is assessed by the embassy.
- Multi-entry Orange Carpet visas of 1, 3, or 5 years are standard — massively reducing friction for repeat business travel.
- Walk-in hours are strict — missing the window means waiting another day or booking a normal appointment.
- Even with Orange Carpet facilitation, submit every document the contact person requests — missing items cause rejection regardless of fast-track status.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Missing documents from the tailored company checklist
- 2.Applicant not actually registered under the Orange Carpet employer (verification fails)
- 3.Ambiguous business-trip purpose (suggests paid work)
- 4.Insurance below €30,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my company is Orange Carpet registered?+
Can small or mid-sized businesses join Orange Carpet?+
Is Orange Carpet itself free?+
How long is an Orange Carpet multi-entry visa valid?+
Can I use Orange Carpet for a family visit or holiday?+
Do I still need to give biometrics?+
What if I leave my Orange Carpet employer?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands Orange Carpet Visa — (Facilitated Business — 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 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 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.
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.