Netherlands tourist visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Netherlands tourist Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇳🇱 Netherlands·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Netherlands
Type
C · TOURISM
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededTourism — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 10
Competent authority
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C. (with consular network); applications submitted via VFS Global Dutch Visa Application Centres in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Washington, D.C. Only for applicants who legally live in the United States.
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.
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 non-US/third-country nationals legally resident in the USA need to apply.
- Minors under 18Birth certificate extract, consent form signed by both parents/guardians, and copies of parents'/guardians' passports and visas.