C O M M ON   V  I S A   I N F O R M A T I O N   S H E E T                  updated 15 May 2006

This information sheet is free of charge

Admittance of foreign nationals into the Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Embassy                                                   

Old Airport Zone

Addis Ababa

Tel.       : +251-(0)11-3711 100

Fax       : +251-(0)11-3711 577

E-mail:  add-ca@minbuza.nl                                                                                www.netherlandsembassyethiopia.org

General

Our country is not an immigration country. Foreign nationals visiting our country can be divided in three categories: those who do not need a visa, those wishing to visit our state for a short period not exceeding 3 months, and others wishing to stay for a longer period than 3 months. Holders of and Ethiopian passport as well as a number of other nationals require a visa for the “Schengen States”. Other nationals may require a visa and should inquire at this embassy.

Information on short-stay visa (up to 3 months)

On 26 March 1995, the SCHENGEN visa was introduced. The SCHENGEN visa is now valid for the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spainand Sweden. A SCHENGEN visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of one of the SCHENGEN countries allows the holder to travel freely in these countries. 

However, please note that a holder of a SCHENGEN visa is still subject to immigration control and is not guaranteed entry into any of the SCHENGEN countries; a visa is not in itself a right to enter a country.

The total duration of stay, whether one or several visits, may not exceed three months within half a year and the visitor must leave the Schengen countries before the expiring date of the visa.

Where to apply for a SCHENGEN visa?

- If visiting only one of the SCHENGEN countries, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of that country.

- If visiting several SCHENGEN countries, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which your main destination will be.

- If visiting several SCHENGEN countries without having a main destination, an application should be handed in at the Embassy or Consulate of the first SCHENGEN country on your travel itinerary for which a visa is required.

Which documents must be submitted before individual visa applications can be considered?

A) For all applicants the following general requirements apply, regardless the purpose of visit:

-          A passport or official travel document accepted by the SCHENGEN countries and valid for at least 3 months longer than the validity of the visa, with 2 blank visa pages as well as previous passport(s)

-          One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant with 2 recent colour passport pictures.

-          Payment of visa fees, non-refundable.

-          Documentation should be submitted in originals + 1 set of copies.

-          Confirmed flight reservation

-          All documents need to be translated into Dutch or English by a certified translator

-          Once approved, a travel medical insurance (for EU, at least coverage of 30.000 EUR), covering eventual fees for health care, hospital emergencies and  medical repatriation to be shown at the moment the visa is collected as well as an airline ticket (this does not apply to holders of Diplomatic and Service Passport holders)

B) Additional specific required documentation supporting a visa application depends on the purpose of the visit:

1. Purpose of visit: Tourism

1.       Itinerary from a travel agency

2.       Confirmed hotel reservations

3.       Proof of solvability: bankbook of current and previous calendar years

2.   Purpose of visit: Visiting friends/relatives:

1. Proof of relationship to relative: birth certificate of applicant and birth certificate of relative legalised by the Ethiopian authorities
2. If applicant finances the stay: bankbook of applicant
3. If friend/relative finances the stay: copy of Dutch passport or residential permit of relative/friend
4. The friend/relative should also provide the embassy with: recent (not older than 3 months) original letter of guarantee in Dutch, stating purpose of visit, period of stay guaranteed return of the applicant to Ethiopia and who is undertaking the responsibility of all the expenses that might result from this visit. This invitation letter is to be legalised by Town hall
5. The friend/relative should also provide the embassy with proof of his/her regular income (three last salary slips and bank statements over last three months)

3. Purpose of visit: Business
1. At all time the companies business license issued by the Ministry of trade and Industry as well as prove of financial solvability (recent bankbook and bank statements of company)
2. When an employee travels on behalf of a company, letter of employment (see requirements below). 
3. Invitation from a company in the Netherlands in the Dutch language and legalised by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, to be forwarded by this company directly to this Embassy, stating purpose of visit, period stay, guaranteed return of the applicant to Ethiopia and who is undertaking the responsibility of all the expenses
4. Proof of solvability: bankbook of current and previous calendar years
5. Original papers of tax payments of previous year
6. Proof of trading history between the foreign company and (employer of) applicant

4. Purpose of visit: Conference/Course/Training

1.       Invitation from the organiser of conference/course in the Netherlands, cc. to be forwarded directly by the organiser to this Embassy

2.       Proof of payment of conference/course or proof of solvability: bankbook of current and previous calendar years

All purposes:

• Additional documentation for children under the age of 18: a declaration from both parents stating that minor is allowed to travel abroad. This statement has to be legalised by the local Authorities. Please provide a birth certificate of child and copies of passport or Identity card of both parents
• Additional documentation  for students: declaration of vocational school or university stating participation following school year
• When employed, a letter of employment (including letter head of the company with name, telephone and fax number), stating function of the applicant, monthly salary, period of employment,  period of leave, purpose of visit and who will finance business trip. When travelling on behalf of a company, purpose of visit and who finances the trip.
• A verbal note is required for holders of diplomatic and service passports
• When visiting another, non Schengen, country after your visit to the Netherlands, a valid visa of this country is required

Airport transit:

1. Confirmed flight reservation
2. Valid visa of the country of destination

Once submitted, the process of a visa application takes AT LEAST FOUR working days

·         It is essential to apply in person for a visa well in advance of the visit

·         Depending on the circumstances of an application for a visa, it may be required to produce further documentation to obtain more information in order to complete the application for processing

Visits longer than 3 months duration

Foreign nationals, who intend to stay in the Netherlands for a period longer than three months should apply for a temporary stay permit (MVV) at this Embassy. The applicant must submit certain documentation in relation to the application for this temporary stay permit. Please enquire at this Embassy for relevant details.

TO AVOID ANY FUSTRATION OR DELAY, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICANTION WITH ALL REQUIRED AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS!!