Netherlands long-stay (Type D) visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Netherlands long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇳🇱 Netherlands·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Netherlands
Type
D · LONG STAY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededLong stay — national (Type D) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 10
Competent authority
MVV (Type D) is applied for by the sponsor in the Netherlands via the IND TEV procedure. After approval the applicant collects the MVV at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C. / VFS Global (7 US centres). Note: US citizens are MVV-exempt.
Application centre
VFS Global (USA) handles the MVV collection/biometrics appointment; the decision is made by the IND.
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 figures below are the short-stay (Type C) means of subsistence. A long-stay (Type D) visa sets its funds requirement nationally by purpose (study, work, family reunification, income) — check the consulate for the amount that applies to your case.
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 citizensUS citizens are MVV-exempt and may travel to the Netherlands to apply for the residence permit directly; the MVV route applies to third-country nationals resident in the USA whose nationality is not exempt.
- MVV-exempt nationalities (Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, USA, Vatican City, EU/EEA/Switzerland)No MVV needed; travel to the Netherlands and apply for the residence permit directly with the IND.
- Purpose-specific (work / study / family reunification)Each purpose has its own IND document set and thresholds (see notes).