Netherlands family visit visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Netherlands family visit Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇳🇱 Netherlands·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Netherlands
Type
C · FAMILY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
See only what applies to you.Sign in to personalize this checklist — your passport & residence-permit checks, and the caveats that actually apply to you.
Sign in to personalize →Visa required
Action neededVisiting family / friends — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 12
Competent authority
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C.; applications via VFS Global (7 US centres). Residents of the USA only.
Application centre
VFS Global (Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C.)
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Travel itineraryA day-by-day plan of your trip to attach to the application.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$40
Est. total (adult)
$140
Long stay (Type D)
€210
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global short-stay (~$35-45). Long-stay MVV: IND fee from €210 up to ~€350 by purpose. Used €210 base.
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
3–8 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
Typically 1-3 weeks; longer in peak summer.
Application centre
VFS Global (US), official partner; centres in major US cities. Decision by the Dutch consulate; VFS handles intake, biometrics, tracking.
Timeline notes
NetherlandsWorldwide/VFS confirm 15-day standard; contact VFS if no decision after 45 days; processing cannot be sped up.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
Per day
€55
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
as shown
Notes
EUR 55 per person per day is the basis border-control officials use. Applied flexibly per planned duration, reason for visit and personal circumstances; traveller must also have funds for the return journey (or a guarantor/sponsor).
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- US and EU/EEA/Swiss citizensNo Schengen visa required for short stays; only third-country nationals legally resident in the USA need to apply.
- Family members of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizenFacilitated procedure with separate checklist and waived visa fee; provide proof of relationship and of the EU citizen's status.