Netherlands ETIAS Travel Authorization: Join the waitlist

Netherlands ETIAS Travel Authorization: Join the waitlist

Last updated: September 2023

In 2024, the Netherlands will introduce a new travel mandate. Non-EU visitors from visa-exempt nations will be required to secure an ETIAS.

If you're planning to meander through Amsterdam's canal-lined streets or relish the windmills of Zaanse Schans, ensure you have an ETIAS authorization. This is your ticket to embracing the beauty of the Netherlands and its neighboring Schengen nations.

Let's explore the details of the Netherlands ETIAS, including its application process, eligibility criteria, and related fees.

What is the Netherlands ETIAS?

Back in 2016, European leaders introduced the idea of strengthening travel security across Europe and the broader Schengen Area. While the conventional system solely relied on passports for visa-free visitors, this approach provided limited insights into the travelers' backgrounds.

As a solution, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System was conceptualized. Slated to be functional by 2024, this electronic travel authorization will become a standard requirement, specifically designed for those travelers who used to visit Europe without needing a visa.

As a member of the Schengen Zone, the Netherlands will require visa-exempt visitors to secure an ETIAS before their journey.

What can I do in the Netherlands with an ETIAS travel authorization?

With an ETIAS, travelers can set foot in the Netherlands and roam the broader Schengen Area for various reasons:

• Tourism, like marveling at the tulip fields or exploring Amsterdam's historic canals

• Engaging in business ventures, such as attending meetings or conferences

• Pursuing short-term academic pursuits, as long as they're under 3 months

• Seeking medical attention or procedures.

What can I not do with the Netherlands ETIAS?

The Netherlands ETIAS has its limits. It doesn't allow you to:

• Engage in extended academic programs longer than 3 months

• Take up employment

• Settle down indefinitely in the Netherlands.

Who can apply for the Netherlands ETIAS?

The Netherlands ETIAS is designed for those from nations that enjoy visa-free privileges to enter the Schengen Zone and other parts of Europe.

The following European nations have made it mandatory for such travelers to possess an ETIAS:

To qualify for the ETIAS, the following criteria must be met:

• You must not hold an EU citizenship

• You must come from a country with a visa waiver agreement for short stays with European countries requiring ETIAS

• Lacking any residence credentials like permits or cards from EU countries.

Who is eligible for the Netherlands ETIAS?

Individuals from non-European nations with visa-free privileges heading to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries will now need the ETIAS.

Here's a breakdown of countries eligible for the ETIAS travel authorization:

ETIAS-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for the Netherlands ETIAS?

For EU nationals and residents, there's no need for the Netherlands ETIAS. Possessing just a passport or a national identity card is all that is needed for unrestricted travel across the Netherlands and the broader Schengen region.

If you currently hold a valid Schengen visa, the Netherlands ETIAS isn't necessary.

Can minors apply for the Netherlands ETIAS?

Young travelers (under the age of 18) from visa-exempt nations will need the Netherlands ETIAS visa waiver before arrival.

For such minors, the ETIAS application can be filled out and submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Should you be applying on behalf of multiple children, individual applications are necessary for each.

How long can I stay in the Netherlands with the ETIAS?

The validity of an ETIAS is 3 years or up to the expiration of the travel document used during the application, depending on which occurs first.

Upon receiving your ETIAS, you can make multiple trips into the Netherlands and other Schengen territories, ensuring that your total stays are not more than 90 days within a span of 6 months.

Can I extend my Netherlands ETIAS?

The Netherlands ETIAS can't be renewed after its expiration. You will have to initiate a new application.

Similarly, if your travel document expires while your ETIAS remains valid, a new travel authorization application is necessary.

Required documents for the Netherlands ETIAS

To apply for an ETIAS, you will need the following:

• A valid travel document – The commonly used travel document is a passport. It should remain valid for a minimum of three months past your planned departure date.

• Filled-out application form – You will be required to fill in data such as birth date, nationality, your parents' first names, educational background, current job, your first destination's country, and address, as well as information on any criminal history or travels to conflict areas.

Should you have relatives living in a European country that requires the ETIAS, it's essential to include their particulars. Clarify your relationship with them as well.

How to apply online for the ETIAS Netherlands

With the ETIAS becoming active, our platform is your best bet for a stress-free application process. Here's the procedure:

• Step 1 - Provide your basic information and travel details on our website or the easy-to-use [iVisa App]. Choose your preferred processing time and pay the fees.

• Step 2 - Fill out the ETIAS application form and upload the required documents.

• Step 3 - Submit the form and wait for an email confirming the submission of your application, which will include your unique ETIAS application number.

After acquiring your ETIAS, it's advised to keep both printed and digital copies. This ensures smoother transitions at Schengen area airports and border checks.

Benefits of getting your Netherlands ETIAS with us

Choosing our platform to get your Netherlands ETIAS is efficient and hassle-free. Here's why you should consider us:

The Netherlands ETIAS fees and costs

A fee of 7 euros (approximately $8) is applicable for the Netherlands ETIAS. However, travelers below 18 or over 70 are exempted.

Choosing our services enhances your application experience. Bear in mind that working with our team of experts is at an extra charge.

The Netherlands ETIAS processing time

Many applicants obtain their ETIAS authorization in mere minutes. Nevertheless, there can be times when it stretches to 30 days. To sidestep potential hiccups, apply early enough before your travel date.

Once the ETIAS visa waiver system is operational, using our online application will make your process effortless. We will offer three tiers of processing:

• Standard processing time: Suitable if your travel date isn't immediate.

• Rush processing time: Faster, but a bit pricier.

• Super rush processing time: The quickest option for urgent needs.

Remember, the mentioned processing durations exclude the time taken by the Dutch authorities to evaluate your application.

Do transit passengers need the Netherlands ETIAS?

Travelers without visas passing through the Netherlands need not secure an ETIAS, provided they stay within the airport's international zone.

However, those aiming to step out of the transit zone and venture into the Netherlands or any of the 30 ETIAS-mandated European countries must have this travel clearance.

The Netherlands entry requirements or restrictions

The Netherlands welcomes visitors without stringent entry restrictions. There's no demand for COVID-19 vaccine documentation or related proofs. However, ensure you carry the following essentials:

• A current travel document, typically a passport.

• A valid ETIAS authorization or Schengen visa.

Differences between the Netherlands ETIAS and the Netherlands Schengen Visa

What’s the difference between the Netherlands ETIAS and the Netherlands Schengen Visa? Here's a starter: ETIAS isn't a visa but an electronic authorization like the United States ESTA.

To further distinguish between an ETIAS and a Schengen visa, here are some more differences:

• Application process: Securing an ETIAS involves an online application, where a valid travel document and some basic details are needed. The Schengen visa demands a lengthier process. Applicants must furnish detailed documents, including a detailed travel itinerary, and have to participate in a face-to-face interview to give their biometric data.

• Eligibility: An ETIAS is tailored for individuals who have the privilege to enter Europe without a visa. Conversely, the Schengen visa is for those who don't have such freedom and must have a visa before traveling to the European Union.

• Format: An ETIAS is an all-digital authorization linked electronically to one's travel document. In contrast, a Schengen visa is a paper document affixed directly to a traveler's passport.

• Number of entries: A traveler with an ETIAS can enter the Netherlands multiple times during its validity period. As for the Schengen visa, the number of entries can be single, double, or multi-entry, depending on the immigration officer's discretion.

Who can I speak to if I have more questions?

If you have questions about the Netherlands ETIAS, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team via online chat or through [email protected].