How to apply for a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia

If you’re living in Saudi Arabia, you can fly from Riyadh to Amsterdam in just under six hours. However, to gain entry to the Netherlands, most travelers must present a visa at the border. If you’ve heard people talking about getting a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, you may be wondering what type of visa they’re referring to. Most travelers from Saudi Arabia to the Netherlands are applying for a Schengen visa to Holland. The Holland visa is for Saudi Arabia citizens and residents who meet the Schengen visa requirements. Below are the various steps for applying for a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, beginning with an overview of Schengen visas, and ending with what to do if your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia is declined. 

Schengen visa: Overview about Schengen area

A Schengen visa is a travel document that allows you to enter the Schengen area. Including the Netherlands, there are 27 countries in the Schengen area; if you apply for and receive a Schengen visa, you can visit all of them (France, Italy, Germany, etc.). If you travel to the Schengen area on a Schengen visa, you will be allowed to remain in the zone for up to 90 days. Schengen visas are available from all 27 countries in the zone. You should apply for a visa to the Schengen area country where you intend to spend the most amount of time while traveling.

Schengen Holland visa for Saudi Arabia citizens and residents

If you are planning on staying the most amount of time in the Netherlands, you should apply for a Schengen visa to the Netherlands. It’s easy to apply for the Schengen visa for the Saudi Arabia citizens and residents in KSA. Apply for a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia simply by filling out an online application and meeting the in-person visa Holland visa requirements for Saudi Arabia citizens and residents. 

 How much does a Holland visa cost?

 A Schengen visa for the Saudi Arabia citizens and residents who apply for it costs 80 EUR.  

Steps for applying for a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia

Step 1: Choose when to apply for your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia:

• Think about when you need your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia—i.e. when you want to travel. Consider that it usually takes around 15 days for Holland visa from Saudi Arabia to be processed. Because of this, you should apply ASAP, especially if you want to travel in two weeks or fewer.
•  If you have a more flexible schedule, you will still want to plan ahead and apply in advance (occasionally the Holland visa from Saudi Arabia takes 30 days to achieve, or—in extreme cases—up to 60). However, don’t apply too early for the Schengen visa for the Saudi citizens and residents (i.e. more than six months in advance).

Step 2: Choose your Holland visas and types for Saudi Arabia passport holders

• The many types of Holland visas for Saudi Arabia passport holders and residents include Tourism, Visiting Family and Friends, and Student—among many others. You should choose the type of Holland visa from Saudi Arabia that best describes your reason for traveling to the Netherlands. For example, if you need a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia because you are visiting Amsterdam for tourism, you should apply for a Schengen Tourist visa to Holland. However, let’s say you are applying for Holland visa from Saudi Arabia because you want to go to The Hague to visit your friend. In this case, you should apply for a “Visiting Family and Friends’ Holland visa from Saudi Arabia. Click here to see all the possible Holland visas and types for Saudi Arabia passport holders and residents.  

Step 3: Choose your entry category for the Schengen visa for the Saudi Arabia citizens

• In addition to your visa type, you will need to select your entry category when applying for a Holland visa from Saudi Arabia. Entry category refers to the number of times you can re-enter the Schengen area in the event that you choose to exit it before you have used up all your time in the zone. 
• There are three entry categories to choose from: single, double, and multiple. If you select a single-entry Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, you will not be allowed to return to Schengen area in the event that you leave it (even if you still have weeks or even months left on your visa. If you select a double entry Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, however, you will be able to return to the zone after exiting (however, your return is limited to just that one time—should you leave the zone a second time, you will not be allowed a second entry. The final and most coveted Schengen visa entry category is the multiple: if you receive a multiple entry Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, you can fly back and forth between Riyadh and Amsterdam (i.e. in and out of the Schengen Area) for multiple times.

Step 4: Find where do you apply for a Schengen visa in Saudi

• Where do you apply for a Schengen visa in KSA? While the Schengen visa application is electronic in form, you will still need to physically apply for your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia from within the country. Applications are processed by the Dutch Embassy in Riyadh, and should ultimately be submitted in-person at the affiliated visa application center located in the capital, in Al Khobar, or Jeddah.  

Step 5: Gather your required documents for your Holland visa

• Holland visa requirements for Saudi Arabia citizens and residents include (but are not limited to) submission of all the basic documents listed below. Please keep in mind that you will also need to submit additional documents (as well as meet other in-person requirements), which will depend on the specific type of Holland visa from Saudi Arabia you apply for. 
  • Saudi passport (or other valid national passport ).
  • Schengen visa application form.
  • 80 EUR visa fee (How much does a Holland visa cost? For details, click here).
  • Passport photos (two of them).
  • Proof of accommodation (where you are staying in Holland).
  • Proof of travel medical insurance.
  • Proof of return (ticket home from Holland).

Step 6: Complete your Schengen visa form for your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia

• The main part of the Schengen visa application is the basic application form. Where do you apply for a Schengen visa online? Applicants for the Holland visa from Saudi Arabia can access this online Schengen visa application here, or alternatively print out a hard copy of the form to submit in person at their visa appointment.

Step 7: Schedule your appointment for your Holland visa for Saudi Arabia citizens and residents

• All applicants for the Holland visa from Saudi Arabia will need to attend a visa appointment. When you apply for the Schengen Holland visa from Saudi Arabia, you can contact us to help make an appointment with your application destination directly in Riyadh, Al Khobar, or Jeddah.

Step 8: Attend your interview to meet your Holland visa requirements for Saudi Arabian citizens

• This is where you will meet the rest of the requirements for the Holland visa from Saudi Arabia. These include: sitting for an interview, submitting your fingerprints and photos (biometrics), handing in a paper copy of your application. This is also where you will pay your visa fee (80 EUR).

Step 9: Wait for a decision on your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia

• Remember that the processing time for the Holland visa from Saudi Arabia can be anywhere from 30-60 days (although most decisions are rendered in 15 days or fewer). 

Step 10: Appeal your rejection for your Holland visa from Saudi Arabia

• Keep in mind that the Holland visa is for the Saudi Arabia citizens and residents who meet its application requirements. If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal it through formal means. And if you’re wondering how much does a Holland visa cost if it’s rejected, the answer is, unfortunately, that Schengen visa fees are non-refundable, which means you will not get your money back if your application is rejected.