Netherlands business visa from India: the official document checklist, decoded

The checklist, as published

Condensed from the official document linked above; wording is the mission's, shortened. Where the mission names an official form it is listed under "Forms". Always download the current version from the source link on the day you apply.

1. Application form: completed and signed Schengen visa application form, filled in online (unique code), printed; original.
2. Travel document (original): max 10 years old, 2 blank visa pages, valid 3 months after departure, signed.
3. Colour copies: biometric data page, last page of passport (Indian nationals), previous Schengen entry and exit stamps.
4. Photo: colour, no more than 6 months old, 3.5cm by 4.5cm, white or light-coloured background.
5. Proof of legal residence in India (original + colour copy): passport, residence permit valid 3 months post-departure, visa, work permit.
6. Proof of social/economic ties, employee: employment contract, recent employer letter approving leave, payslips from past 3 months.
7. Self-employed/company owner: company registration certificate with GST number, business bank statements, income tax return with verified barcode.
8. Retired: pension statements past 3 months and proof of money/property; sponsored: proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation; student: institution statement.
9. Business invitation (colour copy): company/organisation invitation plus employer cover letter stating personal details, duration, accommodation, reason.
10. Trade fair/congress without invitation: trade or employment relation documents (contracts, invoices, orders, annual accounts, register extract) plus admission ticket.
11. Official visit: official invitation from intergovernmental organisation plus note verbale/letter from government body stating personal details, length, accommodation, purpose.
12. Cover letter: reason for visit, duration of stay, names of fellow travellers, transportation and accommodation information.
13. Proof of accommodation: hotel/rental reservation copy for entire trip, or original sponsorship/private accommodation form legalised by Dutch municipality.
14. Proof of financial means (colour copy): bank-stamped personal statements past 3 months, OR Indian income tax returns last 2 years.
15. If the inviting party pays the costs, this must be stated in the letter of invitation.
16. Travel reservation in your name to and from the Schengen area (paid ticket not needed) plus travel plans.
17. Travel medical insurance in your name: all Schengen countries, entire stay, at least EUR 30,000 incl. hospital, emergency care, repatriation.
18. Minors: recent birth certificate extract, notarised consent of non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s), parents' ID and passport copies, custody/guardianship/death documents if applicable.

Forms named by the mission

• Online Schengen visa application form at consular.mfaservices.nl/schengen-visa/short-stay (unique code)
• Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form (IND form, https://ind.nl/nl/formulieren/1310.pdf) signed by host and legalised by the Dutch municipality, only if staying with family/friends

Notes the mission attaches

• VFS Overview: business visa is for meetings, conferences, training; 'Such a visa can only be issued to travellers not being paid for work by an entity within the Netherlands.'
• Diplomatic passport holders exempt from insurance proof; the Ministry may request an interview or additional documents.
• Same personal-document core (form, passport, photo, residence, ties, financial means, insurance) as the tourism checklist; the differences are the invitation and accommodation blocks.
• VFS Netherlands India 'Business and official visit' Documents Required tab links to this exact checklist.

What each item is for

Every Schengen checklist is Article 14(1) of the Visa Code made specific: (a) purpose of the journey, (b) accommodation, (c) means of subsistence for the stay and the return, (d) information enabling an assessment of your intention to leave before the visa expires. Read the list above with those four heads in mind: bookings and invitations answer (a) and (b); bank statements, salary slips and tax returns answer (c); employment, business, family and property papers answer (d). Our documents guide explains each head, and the cover-letter guide shows how to make them agree.

For business the counterpart's letter is the anchor: who is inviting, why, for how long, and who pays. Consulates verify it by phone; a counterpart who cannot be reached is the classic route to ground 12 on the refusal form.

Processing time, as stated by the mission

"Short-stay Schengen visa 25 calendar days; in some situations the processing time can increase to 45 calendar days; you can apply for a visa up to 6 months before you travel." (source) The Visa Code sets 15 calendar days from an admissible application, extendable to 45 (Article 23).

Fee, as stated by the mission

"The official Dutch fee page states euro amounts only (Schengen visa normal fee 90.00; child 6 to 11 45.00; child under 6 free of charge) and that you can pay by credit card or in cash in Indian rupees. VFS Netherlands India: a VFS service charge of INR 1820 (for submission with biometrics) inclusive of GST per application will be levied; payment in cash, debit or credit card and UPI." (source) The euro amounts are fixed by Article 16: EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children six to eleven, free under six.

Netherlands's record for applications lodged in India

In 2025 Netherlands decided 97,650 applications lodged in India and refused 20.6% (all-India average 15.7%); 55.1% of visas issued were multiple-entry. Its consulates: Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi (20.6%). Which one handles you depends on your state of residence: see the Netherlands country page.