General information
Visa application procedure
MVV (temporary residence permit)
Legalization of documents

Travel advice (in Dutch) - Reisadvies

Immigration and Naturalization Office (IND)

Consular opening hours for the public:

Monday through Friday from 09h00 to 12h00

General Information

Palestinian nationals traveling to Europe on business, as a tourist or for other purposes may apply for a visa for a short stay of 1 to 90 days valid for the following Schengen countries:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

The Schengen visa issued by any Embassy or Consulate (-General) of the above mentioned countries allows the holder to travel freely throughout the Schengen territory.

However there is no legal right to a visa. A visa is not a guarantee to access to the Schengen territories, the final authorization remains with the competent authorities at the border. Entry can be refused if not all admission requirements are fulfilled by the time of entering the Schengen country.

Once the visa has been issued, the purpose of the proposed visit may not be altered after having entered the Schengen territory.
 

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Countries whose nationals do not require a visa for for a stay of 3 months or less:

Where should I apply?

• Applications must be submitted at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tel Aviv. However, if you cannot reach the Embassy due to closures, etc. you can apply at the Representative Office of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ramallah.

• If you intend to visit only one particular Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy, Consulate (General) or Representative Office of that country.

• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy, Consulate (General) or Representative Office of your main destination (i.e. where you spend the longest period of time).

• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, but do not have a main destination, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy, Consulate (General) or Representative Office country of your first point of entry.

• If you do not need a visa for a particular Schengen country of your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may apply at the Embassy, Consulate (General) or Representative Office of the first Schengen country you require a visa for.

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Visa application procedure

Important information

• Applicants have to apply IN PERSON.

• Applicants are requested to fill out a visa application form.

• Visa fees have to be paid upon submitting the application and will not be refunded if the visa is not granted.

• Visa fees are fixed in Euros and payable only in New Israeli Shekels (to the administrative rate of exchange of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Contact the Representative Office for more information.

• Compliance with the visa conditions does not automatically guarantee that a visa will be issued. Also, after receipt of a visa, the competent authorities may refuse entry into the Netherlands upon arrival. In such cases, the Netherlands Government accepts no liability.

• In addition to the standard requirements, other supporting documents may be required, depending on the specific nature of your application.

• You are strongly advised to submit your application well in advance of your date of intended departure.

• If fake or forged documents are submitted to support a visa application they will not be returned to the applicant.

A.      General requirements

• National passport, valid until at least six months after completion of the intended visit.

• Two recent, passport-size photographs (not older than one month), on a white background.

• Confirmed return or flight reservation OR a travel-itinerary issued and stamped by the airline.

• In case another country for which a visa is required will be visited after the intended stay in the Netherlands, a visa for that country should be endorsed in the passport before the application can be processed.

• An invitation letter and/or official letter of guarantee of the reference(s) in the Netherlands, in the Dutch or English language, and issued by the municipality where the referent lives.

• Proof of sufficient financial means (salary slip or letter of your employer) to cover all expenses during your stay in the Netherlands, with a minimum of USD 40, -- per person per day (depending on the duration, purpose and other relevant factors concerning your visit. NO CASH).

• Original, up-to-date bank statements of the past 6 months, including the address and telephone number of the bank (statements are subject to verification).

• Health insurance policy covering up to € 30,000.

• Confirmation of your hotel booking.

• Previous passports, if applicable; and/or proof of previous Schengen visas if applicable.

• Palestinian nationals do not require a transit-visa if they don’t leave the transit area of Schiphol airport.

B. Specific requirements

For visa for business purposes

• Documents, such as registration papers or letter from the chamber of commerce, giving information about the nature and status of the applicant's company or institution. All documents not older than 1 year.

• Original correspondence with the reference in the Netherlands, relevant to the business transaction and/or purpose of business trip.

• In case a staff member, representative or agent of the company or institution is to travel, an original letter indicating designation and authority to act on behalf of the company or institution should be produced.

For visa for attending courses or study purposes

• Proof of admission to educational institute.

• Proof of payment of school fee.

• School reports (are subject to verification).

• N.B. In case the stay exceeds a period of three months a temporary residence permit is required.

For visa for medical purposes

• Original documentation regarding medical history.
• Original medical statements, stating the cost and duration of this treatment and the reason why this medical treatment cannot take place in the Palestinian Territories, Gaza or Israel.
• Original proof of admission to the concerned hospital.
• Proof of (advance) payment of medical treatment and/or sufficient financial means to cover all expenses.

The Netherlands Representative Office or the Royal Netherlands Embassy may under all circumstances ask additional documentation.

A visa application form can be collected from the Netherlands Representative Office or Royal Netherlands Embassy, or downloaded here.

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 MVV (Temporary Residence Permit)

Many people will require a temporary residence permit (MVV) when going to the Netherlands for longer than three months. You can check if you need an MVV by consulting the following link: www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer on the website of the Dutch immigration authorities, the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND). The conditions and procedure for obtaining an MVV van also be found on the IND's website.

As of 15 March 2006, certain foreign nationals who require a temporary residence permit and who wish to settle in the Netherlands for a prolonged period will have to take a test "Basic Civic Integration Examination" in their country of residence. Applicants are advised to take this integration test before submitting their application for a temporary residence permit. The link www.ind.nl/en/inbedrijf/actueel/basisexamen_inburgering.asp provides further information.

Processing your application will take time. It is therefore important that you apply for the temporary residence permit at least three months prior to your intended stay in the Netherlands. Each applicant needs to apply in person. Postal applications cannot be accepted.

As per 2 July 2005, the handling fee for an MVV application has to be paid directly to account of the IND in the Netherlands. The fee has to be paid in euros and all bank charges are for the account of the applicant.

Please note that once your application is lodged you cannot apply for any Schengen visa nor travel to any of the Schengen countries until a decision has been taken on your MVV/residence request.

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Legalization of documents

The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tel Aviv is responsible for legalizing documents issued by the Palestinian Authority and are intended for use in the Netherlands.

If you are unable to reach the Embassy due to closures, etc. you can submit the documents at the Representative Office of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ramallah.

The processing of a legalization application submitted at the Representative Office requires approximately two weeks. A fee must be paid upon submitting the document, contact the Representative Office for more details.

Before a document is submitted for legalization, it must be legalized by the Palestinian competent authorities, with the final stamp being that of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Previous legalizations should not be more than one year old.

The original of any document to be legalized must be submitted along with the document.

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