Netherlands visa requirements for Rwandans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Rwandans visiting Netherlands

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Dutch Visa.

  • Duly completed and signed visa application form
  • Two recently taken passport-size photographs (35x45 mm), both taken within the last three months.
  • A valid Rwandan passport not older than 10 years, with at least three months validity beyond your intended departure date from the Netherlands.
  • A round trip reservation or itinerary that must include entry and exit dates as well as flight numbers.
  • A travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, for the whole Schengen territory, in case of any medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
  • Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in the Netherlands.
  • Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
    • Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Netherlands. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
    • Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.  €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.

Netherlands Visa for Rwandans

Facts about Netherlands

The Netherlands is renowned for its landscapes of canals, extensive cycling routes, impressive windmills. tourists can find pleasure in exploring the waterways, museums. One notable spot not to be missed is the Keukenhof known as the Garden of Europe which has over 700 varieties of tulips, and the largest public garden in the world.  

The Netherlands translates to 'lower countries' as a reference to its low and flat topography. the country is the second-largest exporter of food in the world owing to its rich soil and mild climate. 

Tourism in The Netherlands has been steadily on the rise compared to other European countries with the number of foreign tourists growing at a rate of 5.5 percent yearly. 


Types of Netherlands Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days
Student visa 15 days More than 90 days

General Requirements for Netherlands Visa

  • Duly completed and signed visa application form
  • Two recently taken passport-size photographs (35x45 mm), both taken within the last three months.
  • A valid Rwandan passport not older than 10 years, with at least three months validity beyond your intended departure date from the Netherlands.
  • A round trip reservation or itinerary that must include entry and exit dates as well as flight numbers.
  • A travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, for the whole Schengen territory, in case of any medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
  • Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in the Netherlands.
  • Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
    • Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Netherlands. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
    • Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.  €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Netherlands Tourist visa Netherlands Business visa Netherlands Student visa

Netherlands Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Rwandans who intend to visit the Netherlands for vacation, sightseeing or other leisure activities are eligible to apply for a short-stay tourist visa. The tourist visa also permits you to visit friends and relatives residing in the Netherlands.
  • If you are visiting friend or relative in the Netherlands, you need to obtain a letter of invitation from them showing their home address and telephone number.
  • Without a host in the Netherlands, you should submit a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit, places you intend to visit while in the Netherlands and how long you intend to stay in the country.
  • A visa application form must be fully completed and signed before submission. You are advised to crosscheck for any errors and adhere strictly to the submission guideline so as not to delay the processing of your visa application.
  • The tourist visa also allows its holder to attend social and cultural events, as well as festivals, in the Netherlands.
  • As proof that you intend to return to your country of origin, you are required to tender a roundtrip flight ticket showing entry and exit dates to/from the Netherlands as well as the flight numbers.
  • If you are employed, you must provide proof of your employment by submitting your employment contract (signed by both you and your employer), your bank account statements of the last six months and your income tax return.
  • You must also provide a leave letter from your employer excusing you from work for the entire duration you intend to stay in the Netherlands.
  • You must provide proof that you can cater to your financial needs for the entire duration of your stay in the Netherlands [that means comfortably spending at least €34 per day by sending copies of your bank account statements from the last six months. You can also submit a sponsorship letter if someone else intends to sponsor your trip.
  • The tourist visa does not permit its holder to work in the Netherlands or to receive payment for any services rendered.
  • Minors should provide the original copy of their birth certificate. If they are travelling with one parent, a document of consent allowing the child to travel to the Netherlands with one parent, signed by the other parent, must be presented.

Netherlands Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The business visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to travel to the Netherlands for business purposes. This is a short-stay visa and it permits a stay of no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • The business visa permits you to attended business meetings, trade fairs and to take part in conferences in the Netherlands.
  • 2 passport-size photographs should be sent along with your duly completed and signed visa application form. The passport photos should be taken against a white background and must not be older than six months.
  • The passport used for your visa application must contain at least two blank pages (for entry/exit stamps) and have a validity of not less than three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Netherlands.
  • You are also required to obtain a letter of invitation from the partner company/organisation in the Netherlands. This letter must state the purpose of your visit and who will take care of your expenses (your company or the partner company) while in the Netherlands.
  • If there exist previous trade relations between your company and the partner company in the Netherlands, you are required to provide proof of this. This could be bills of lading, customs clearance, receipts of payment or any similar documents.
  • You are required to submit a letter of introduction from your company explaining its commercial activities, your position in the company,  the purpose of your travel and who is financing it.
  • Please note that as a business traveller, you are not allowed to seek public funds while in the country nor can you receive payment for any services rendered while you are there.
  • You should submit your visa application in person as your biometric data will be collected at the point of submission.
  • You are required to provide proof of a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your stay in the Netherlands.
  • A copy of your return flight ticket to your country of origin should also be submitted as proof that you intend to return to your country of origin once your visa expires.

Netherlands Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Foreign citizens who intend to travel to the Netherlands for the purpose of studying for more than three months require a long-stay student visa.
  • You must have received an offer of admission from an educational institution in the Netherlands before you can apply for the student visa.
  • You can apply for the student visa at the Netherlands embassy or consulate in your country or the Dutch institution can apply on your behalf through the Dutch immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). 
  • You must also apply for a residence permit which will allow you to live in the Netherlands for the duration of your studies in the country. This permit is of two types:
    • Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) - this is also known as  ‘Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblifj’ (MVV) in Dutch. It is an entry visa that allows you to enter the Netherlands at any point within the following six months. This is to show that you are not a tourist in the country. Students are advised to apply for the MVV at least 3 months before their intended arrival date in the Netherlands.
    • Residence Permit - if you have been accepted into a Dutch institution and offered an MVV, your host institution is obliged to apply for a residence permit on your behalf. This will be done within 5 days of your arrival.
  • If you are the recipient of a scholarship, student aid or similar grant, you are required to provide documents supporting this, showing your name, the monthly amount you are entitled to and the period during which you will receive the fund.
  • You are required to provide your academic transcripts to prove that you satisfy the conditions for access to higher education in the Netherlands.
  • As proof that you can cater to your financial needs in the Netherlands and spend around 850 euros per month, you are required to submit your bank statements of the last 3 months.
  • Proof of a travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for the entire Schengen Area must be provided by each applicant.
  • You should note that your student visa can be withdrawn if you do not maintain sufficient progress in regards to your academic performance (at least 50 per cent of the required credits each academic year).

Netherlands Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

60.00 (EUR)

Netherlands Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Rwanda

Location

Address

Kigali

Boulevard de l’Umuganda, P.O. Box 6613, Kacyiru-Kigali

www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/rwanda

kig@minbuza.nl

(+250) 280 28 02 81

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in the Netherlands without a permit?

Every non-EU national must have a valid work permit in order to work in the Netherlands. Usually, the employer will help you secure the permit so you should reach out to your employer to find out more.

What is the emergency number to call in the Netherlands?

In case you need emergency assistance such as a danger to life, property or environment or you require immediate medical assistance while in the Netherlands, the number to call is 112.

Can I extend my Dutch visa?

You can only extend your Dutch visa in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in the Netherlands. If you intend to enter the country more than once, you should consider applying for a multiple-entry visa.

What language is spoken in the Netherlands?

The national language in the Netherlands is Dutch, a West Germanic language. However, the Frisian is also an official language of the Netherlands. While English is not an official language in the Netherlands, about 90% of the population can speak some English.