Attention: As of 17 September 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry rules for travellers to the Netherlands. You can enter the Netherlands without proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
What do I need to do?
- You must submit a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years. This must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least another 3 months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
- You must submit a completed and signed visa application form. Each person travelling with you on your travel document must submit their own visa form. Forms for children under the age of 18 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
- If you are under 18 and are travelling without one or both of your parents or guardians, ask them to sign a consent form. Border guards may ask to see this form when you arrive in the Netherlands.
- In a country where visa applications are processed by an external service provider, your digital photo will be taken at the Visa Application Centre.Have you applied for a visa in the last 59 months? Then you yourself will have to submit a photowith your application. This photo must meet Dutch requirements for passport photos.
- When you submit your application your fingerprints will be taken. These will remain valid for 59 months. Some applicants, such as children under the age of 12, do not need to have their fingerprints taken.
Did you provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You do not have to appear in person. This also applies if you had your fingerprints taken within the last 59 months for a visa application submitted through another Schengen member state.
Attention: Please note that if, during the assessment of your application, it appears that your fingerprints are not in the system, you will have to come and submit them. Also, you can always be invited for an interview if your application gives reason to do so.
How much does a visa cost?
When you apply for a visa at a Dutch embassy or consulate, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee on the fees page. If you apply through an external service provider, such as a visa agency, you will have to pay an extra fee to the provider.
The visa fee shall be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:
- children under 6 years;
- school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;
- researchers travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference*;
- representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
*as defined in point (2) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 )
How long does it take?
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. Seafarers can apply 9 months before intended travel date. You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.
If you’ve applied for a visa for the Netherlands, you can track the status of your application online.
Longer waiting time for visa applications
You may experience longer waiting times to get an appointment. And it may take longer than 15 days to process your application.
This is because more applicants want to travel to the Netherlands after COVID travel restrictions have been eased worldwide.
We are working to expand the number of available appointments and to increase our capacity. We regularly offer new appointment slots, so please keep checking the appointment system.
Plan your trip well in advance. And make sure you have all the documents ready for your appointment.
How will my application be assessed?
Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities and can take up to 7 days.
Your application will also be checked in the Schengen Information System (SIS II). In addition, your application details will be checked and saved in the Visa Information System (VIS).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses information-supported decision-making to make better, quicker decisions on visa applications. For more information on how your data will be processed, see the privacy statement.
Do not useintermediary agencies
To submit your application, you have to make an appointment via an online appointment system. This system is accessible to everyone. There are intermediary agencies that take advantage of this by retaining appointments and selling them.
We recommend that you make an appointment yourself and that you do not use the service of these intermediaries.
Applying for a visa in this country or region
Visa application procedure in Ghana
The Netherlands embassy in Accra uses the services of VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
The Netherlands has made representation arrangements for short-stay visa applications (for a stay of maximum 90 days per 180 days period) with Austria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal. Residents of Ghana travelling to 1 of these countries can also submit their application via VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
Those wishing to settle in Austria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal and wishing to apply for a residence permit should however turn to the nearest embassy of these countries to start the proper procedure.
If you have received an approval after an appeal, you can submit your visa application at the embassy. You do not need to make an appointment.
You can walk in on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours to submit additional documents.
Before you come, please check the days the embassy is closed.
Bring the following documents with you to the appointment:
- a valid travel document
- the no objection letter (and a copy) stating that your objection has been successful
- any documents mentioned in the letter (if applicable). For example, a hotel or flight reservation, or proof of insurance.
You will not need to complete a new visa application form or pay for the visa again.
Holders of diplomatic and service passports have to make an appointment via the online appointment system to submit their application at the Netherlands embassy in Accra.
The average processing time of a visa application isfifteen (15) calendar days.
In case the application is incomplete, needs further investigation or in case the application has to be forwarded to the competent authorities in the Netherlands for further consideration, the assessment may take weeks or even longer.
Attention: You are advised to submit your application approximately 4 weeks before your planned departure date or even earlier.
You do not need to make an appointment to collect your document(s).
Collection times are: Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours.
Before you come, please check the days on which the embassy is closed.
If you are not able to collect your decision and passport, you may authorise another person to collect it on your behalf. In that case the embassy requires a written and signed authorisation letter from you, including a copy of your passport.
The embassy will report the use of false and counterfeit documents to the Ghanaian Police (CID) or GIS (Ghana Immigration Service) depending on the forgery; these documents will not be returned to the applicant.
The embassy often receives e-mails from European citizens who are in contact with someone from this region through the internet. Often these contacts result in scamming whereby the scammer does not reveal his or her true identity and requests to transfer high amounts for various reasons (legalisations, costly visa procedures, medical check-ups and supporting documents not required by Dutch authorities in relation to consular procedures, hospitalisation, inheritance, gold ornaments). Beware of this (romance) scamming.
Other than warning for this type of scamming, the embassy cannot be of assistance in taking legal steps once Europeancitizenshave become victims of this type of scamming.
FAQs
How do I get a short-stay Schengen visa? ›
- Figure out which Schengen visa type you need.
- Find out where you need to apply for a Schengen visa.
- Find the most suitable time to apply for a Schengen visa.
- Book an appointment.
- Fill the Schengen visa application form.
- Gather the required documents.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Pay the visa fee.
You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit, or – if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country of your primary destination (i.e. main purpose of stay or longest stay).
How do I apply for a Netherlands visa from Ghana? ›In Ghana, you can apply for this visa at the Netherlands embassy in Accra. As of 17 September 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry rules for travellers to the Netherlands. You can enter the Netherlands without proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
How long does it take to get a Schengen short-stay visa? ›You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance. In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.