Netherlands visa requirements for Sierra Leoneans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Sierra Leoneans visiting Netherlands

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

  • A correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of exit from the Netherlands or any other Schengen area.
  • Two (2) empty passport pages for visa stamps.
  • Two 35x45mm passport photographs that meet the visa application requirement.
  • A national ID or residence permit to prove residence in Sierra Leone.
  • A detailed itinerary of your time in the Netherlands.
  • Proof of enough funds to cover your entire stay in the Netherlands.
  • Travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 for the duration of stay.
  • A bank statement for the last 3 months before the application period.
  • A police report showing that you don't have a criminal record. 
  • A return-ticket to Sierra Leone.
  • For every document, you must provide the original and one photocopy.

Netherlands Visa for Sierra Leoneans

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 Three weeks 90 days
Student visa Three weeks 1-5 years
Transit visa Three weeks 24 hours

General Requirements for Netherlands Visa

  • A correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of exit from the Netherlands or any other Schengen area.
  • Two (2) empty passport pages for visa stamps.
  • Two 35x45mm passport photographs that meet the visa application requirement.
  • A national ID or residence permit to prove residence in Sierra Leone.
  • A detailed itinerary of your time in the Netherlands.
  • Proof of enough funds to cover your entire stay in the Netherlands.
  • Travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 for the duration of stay.
  • A bank statement for the last 3 months before the application period.
  • A police report showing that you don't have a criminal record. 
  • A return-ticket to Sierra Leone.
  • For every document, you must provide the original and one photocopy.
Netherlands Tourist visa Netherlands Student visa Netherlands Transit visa

Netherlands Short-stay Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa also known as the Type-C Schengen visa, is the visa given to travelers who have short term reasons for going into the Netherlands.
  • Those going to the Netherlands are issued a Schengen visa because the Netherlands is a part of the European Schengen countries. 
  • This visa is issued to travelers who intend to visit the Netherlands for purposes such as tourism, visiting family, signing contracts and attending conferences.  
  • This visa allows the holder to remain in the Netherlands for a maximum period of three months (90 days) within six months (180 days) from the entry date into the Schengen area. 
  • Note that this visa also allows entry into all other Schengen Member States.
  • This visa may be issued in three different kinds of entries: the single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry visas.
  • All entry visas are valid for 180 days.
  • Schengen visa applications must be lodged at a Netherlands embassy. 
  • Visa applications should be downloaded and must be in writing, giving all details required on the Visa Application Form.
  • The application form must be completed and signed by the applicant before submission.
  • You are required to add a letter of invitation from the person you are going to visit if the purpose is to visit a friend or relative or hotel reservations spanning the duration of your stay in the Netherlands.
  • For minors traveling alone, the application form must be signed by the parents/legal guardians and a consent form should be attached. 
  • A consent form is also required from the non-traveling parent if the minor is traveling with only one of the parents.  
  • The minor's birth certificate should be attached to the documents.
  • All documents must be written in Dutch, English, French or Spanish.

Netherlands Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners who want to attend an educational institution in the Netherlands.
  • Applicants of this visa are issued the Type-D Schengen visa (also called the National visa) and would have the purpose of their travel (e.g. for study) appended on their visa.
  • You must have received an offer of admission from an educational institution in the Netherlands before you can apply for a student visa.  
  • 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) - It is an entry visa that allows you to enter the Netherlands at any point within 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. 
  • You are required to provide your academic transcripts to prove that you satisfy the conditions for access to higher education in the Netherlands.
  • 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 percent of the required credits each academic year).

Netherlands Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to people who want to transit through the Netherlands to another country.
  • This visa is called the Airport Transit visa (Type A).
  • The Type A visa allows its holder to transit through the international transit areas of one or more airports of the Netherlands without entering.
  • It is valid for 24 hours. 
  • Applicants are to submit a copy of their visa for the state of destination. This would allow them to continue their onward journey. 
  • An onward airplane ticket valid for the destination is also required.
  • Note that you cannot leave the airport nor the international zone of the airport.
  • Airport transit visas are not valid for short-stays in any Schengen country.

Netherlands Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

Short-stay Visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

99.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

60.00 (EUR)

Netherlands Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Sierra Leone

Location

Address

Sierra Leone

There is no Netherland embassy in Sierra Leone. Applicants are advised to go to neigbouring countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Can you drink in public in the Netherlands?

Drinking in public is generally frowned at in the Netherlands especially for people who are not up to the legal age for drinking. Drinking in public in Amsterdam is illegal and attracts a fine of €90.

Is the process for getting a visa for the Netherlands easy?

Yes, it is relatively easy to get a Netherlands visa. This is particularly because the kind of visa gotten for this country is the popular Schengen visa.

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.

Can Sierra Leone alow to visit Netherlands now??