Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Seafarer / Blue CarpetVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands Seafarer Visa — Blue Carpet Programme (Schengen Type C)
Indian seafarers joining a ship in a Dutch (or Polish or Latvian) port need a Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa processed by the Dutch embassy under the Blue Carpet Programme. The Blue Carpet facilitates priority processing, multi-entry visas with longer validity, a 9-month advance application window, and waiver of in-person submission if biometrics were given in the last 59 months. A seafarer is any person employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship in the maritime or international inland waterway sector.
Processing
Priority under Blue Carpet — often shorter than 15 days
Stay Duration
As required for the voyage — typically aligned with embarkation/disembarkation schedule
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
- Indian seafarers joining or leaving a ship in a Dutch port (regardless of the ship's flag — Dutch, foreign, or third-country)
- Seafarers attending maritime training or courses in the Netherlands
- Cadets and trainees travelling for genuine maritime training or to join a ship
Not eligible under this visa:
- Seafarers whose port of embarkation/disembarkation is in another Schengen country (apply to that country instead — e.g. Spanish port → apply to Spain)
- Seafarers whose primary purpose is not maritime (e.g. tourism on a cruise ship as a passenger)
- Family members of seafarers — they apply under Tourist or Family & Friends categories
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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 + colour copy of bio-data page + 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 within the last 59 months.
- !Proof of legal residence in India (original + colour copy)
Ties to India
- !If employed: employment contract + employer NOC + payslips
- !If self-employed: company registration + GST + business bank statements + ITR
- !Seafarer's Record Book / Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
Original + colour copy. The central identity document for seafarers.
Invitation from Dutch shipping company (core requirement)
- !Signed and stamped invitation letter from the Dutch shipping company
Must include ALL of the following: your personal details, date of issue and validity of your passport, date of issue and validity of your seafarer's book, your job title/rank, ship name, place of embarkation and disembarkation, entry/exit dates in/out of the Schengen area, entry airport (if travelling by air), travel route to the Netherlands, name and address of the Indian shipping agent assisting with the visa, the shipping company sponsoring you, and flight reservation (if by air).
Travel documents
- !Cover letter detailing the voyage
Reason for visit, duration, fellow travellers, transport, accommodation.
- !Proof of accommodation
Hotel reservation for the pre-embarkation stay, OR specified in the invitation letter from the shipping company.
- !Proof of financial means
Personal bank statements (last 3 months, stamped + signed) OR Indian ITR for the last 2 years. If shipping company is covering costs, state this in the invitation letter.
- !Proof of transport and itinerary
Flight ticket and itinerary — can also be provided in the invitation letter.
- !Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000)
Valid across Schengen, covering the entire pre-embarkation period.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Confirm port is in the Netherlands
Blue Carpet via Dutch embassy applies if your port of embarkation/disembarkation is in the Netherlands — regardless of ship flag. Other Schengen ports → apply to that country.
Obtain the invitation letter from the Dutch shipping company
Ensure it contains ALL required elements (passport details, seafarer's book dates, rank, ship name, ports, dates, airport, route, shipping agent, sponsor, flight reservation).
Complete the online Schengen application form
Fill online, print, sign.
Gather supporting documents
CDC (original + copy), bank statements, travel insurance, cover letter, flight/accommodation proof.
Apply up to 9 months before departure
Blue Carpet allows an extended window — apply early, especially for complex crew-change schedules.
Book VFS appointment (or waiver)
If biometrics given for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, in-person submission may be waived. Otherwise book via the VFS portal.
Submit + pay fees
€90 visa fee + ₹1,855 VFS service charge.
Track + collect
Priority processing under Blue Carpet — often faster than the standard 15-day window.
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.
- Apply up to 9 months before departure (vs the standard 6 months) — Blue Carpet's extended window is one of its key advantages.
- The invitation letter is the single most important document — send it back to the shipping company for corrections if any of the 10+ required fields is missing or inaccurate.
- If you gave biometrics for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may not need to appear in person — the Blue Carpet explicitly allows biometric re-use.
- Keep your CDC (Seafarer's Record Book) both at the visa appointment AND with you at port immigration — it's the central proof-of-purpose for border officials.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Invitation letter missing required fields (rank, ship name, ports, dates, etc.)
- 2.Seafarer's Record Book / CDC not submitted or expired
- 3.Port of embarkation is not in the Netherlands (should apply to the correct Schengen country)
- 4.Crew-list verification fails at maritime/port authority check
- 5.Insurance below €30,000 or not covering pre-embarkation period
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Carpet Programme only for Dutch shipping companies?+
Can I enter Schengen through Paris if my ship is in Rotterdam?+
How early can I apply for a seafarer visa?+
Is biometric submission required every time?+
Do cadets and trainees qualify for Blue Carpet?+
What if my ship's ETA changes after visa issue?+
How long is a Blue Carpet multi-entry visa valid?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands Seafarer Visa — Blue Carpet Programme — (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)
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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)
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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.