--- title: Netherlands visa for citizens of Eritrea description: "Citizens of Eritrea need a visa for the Netherlands and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre. Stay up to 90 days. Fee: €90. Processing: 15–45 days. Documents checklist and application steps." canonical: https://nowah.xyz/visa/netherlands/eritrea lastModified: 2026-09-05 --- # Netherlands visa for citizens of Eritrea Citizens of Eritrea need a visa for the Netherlands and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre. *Verified · last checked 2026-09-05. Policies change. Confirm with the embassy or official visa portal before you travel.* ## Key facts - **Entry route:** Embassy / VFS · Schengen Short-Stay Visa (C) - **How to apply:** In-person at an embassy or visa center - **Maximum stay:** Up to 90 days - **Entries:** Multiple entry - **Processing time:** 15–45 days - **Government fee:** €90 - **Passport validity:** At least 3 months - **Biometrics:** Required - **Appointment:** Required - **Interview:** Not required - **Onward or return ticket:** Required - **Proof of funds:** Bank statements showing sufficient funds for the stay ## How to apply 1. **Determine visa type and check requirements** — Confirm that you need a Schengen short-stay visa for tourism, business, or family visit. 2. **Complete the online application form** — Fill out the Schengen visa application form on the official Netherlands visa portal. 3. **Gather required documents** — Collect all necessary documents as per the checklist, including passport, photos, insurance, and financial proof. 4. **Book an appointment at the embassy or VFS Global centre** — Schedule an in-person appointment for submission and biometric enrollment. 5. **Pay the visa fee** — Pay the €80 visa fee (plus any service fee if using VFS Global) at the time of appointment. 6. **Attend appointment - submit documents and provide biometrics** — Visit the embassy or visa centre in person to submit your application and have fingerprints taken. 7. **Wait for processing** — Processing typically takes 15 calendar days, but can extend up to 45 days in some cases. 8. **Collect passport or await delivery** — Once approved, collect your passport from the visa centre or embassy, or receive it by courier if available. ## Documents checklist - **Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond departure)** (Travel): Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure from the Schengen area. - **Completed and signed Schengen visa application form** (Supporting): Form must be filled online and printed for signature. - **Recent passport-size photographs (meeting ICAO standards)** (Supporting): Photographs must meet Schengen photo requirements. - **Travel itinerary and proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc.)** (Travel): Provide confirmed bookings for the entire duration of stay. - **Round-trip flight reservation or travel plan** (Travel): Reservation not necessarily paid, but must match itinerary. - **Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation)** (Travel): Insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area. - **Proof of sufficient financial means (bank statements, payslips, sponsorship letter)** (Financial): Minimum amount varies; typically €55–€100 per day of stay. - **Employment letter (or proof of enrolment if student) and leave approval** (Employment): Letter must include salary, position, and dates of leave. - **Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, etc. if applicable)** (Supporting, optional): Only required if relevant to the purpose of visit. - **Cover letter explaining purpose of visit and travel plans** (Supporting): Briefly describe why you are visiting and your planned itinerary. - **Visa fee receipt** (Supporting): Payment proof from the appointment payment step. ## Proof of funds - **Minimum balance:** €55–€100 per day of stay - Bank statements (last 3-6 months) - Payslips (last 3 months) - Sponsorship letter (if sponsored) Funds must be demonstrably available and from a verifiable source. ## Good to know - The visa does not guarantee entry; border guards may refuse entry even with a valid visa. - Biometrics (fingerprints) are required for all applicants aged 12 and over, and are valid for 59 months. - Processing times may be longer during peak seasons (summer, holidays). - Incomplete or incorrect applications may lead to rejection and loss of visa fee. ## Common refusal reasons - **Insufficient or unreliable proof of financial means** — Provide clear bank statements showing consistent income and sufficient funds for the trip. - **Lack of strong ties to home country (risk of illegal stay)** — Submit evidence of employment, property, family, or other commitments in Eritrea. - **Incomplete or inaccurate application form** — Double-check all fields and signatures before submission. - **Invalid passport or missing blank pages** — Ensure passport meets validity and blank page requirements before applying. ## FAQs ### Do citizens of Eritrea need a visa for the Netherlands? Citizens of Eritrea need a visa for the Netherlands and must apply in person at an embassy or visa centre. Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay Visa (C). ### How long can citizens of Eritrea stay in the Netherlands? Up to 90 days. ### How much does the Netherlands visa cost for citizens of Eritrea? Government fee: €90. ### How long does Netherlands visa processing take? Typically 15–45 days. ### What documents do citizens of Eritrea need for the Netherlands? Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond departure); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Recent passport-size photographs (meeting ICAO standards); Travel itinerary and proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc.); Round-trip flight reservation or travel plan; Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation); and 5 more. ### How long must my passport be valid for the Netherlands? At least 3 months. ## More - [Netherlands visa for every passport](/visa/netherlands) - [Every destination for Eritrea passport holders](/visa/passport/eritrea)