Netherlands Embassy in India

The Netherlands, also known as the Kingdom of Netherlands, occupies a small territory in Western Europe. Its capital city is Amsterdam, and the official languages spoken there are Dutch and English. Most importantly, it is a part of the Schengen area, along with 28 other countries that have abolished their internal borders for travellers.

The Netherlands is among the top tourist destinations in Europe, and it steals the heart of every visitor. The country is a treasure of all the great things, boasting a rich culture, heritage and tourist spots. From art to adventure and glorious canals to delightful dinners, this country will leave you spellbound like no other.

Whether you are awestruck by the richness and beauty of Amsterdam, love the vibes of Rotterdam, or are impressed by the picturesque grandeur of the gardens at Castle De Haar, the Netherlands is the perfect place to have a myriad of experiences.

Also Read: Top Things to Do & Places to Visit in Netherlands?

Though embassy and consulate are often used interchangeably, they carry different meanings. Both represent their home country in the host country. However, their purpose, role and scope differ significantly. Here are the key differences between the two.

The Netherlands embassy in India is the main diplomatic mission of the Netherlands. Hence, its functional scope is vast, varied and crucial. It engages in several political, economic, cultural and consular services, as mentioned below:

Diplomatic Ties

The primary function of the Netherlands embassy is to develop, strengthen and maintain healthy diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and India. It does so by acting as a medium between India and the Netherlands and fostering economic and political relations.

Political and Economical Interests

The Netherlands embassy develops and enhances political and economic relations by entering into trade agreements and transactions with India, negotiating contracts, etc. It also sends information to the home country to formulate foreign policies that can further develop trade and commerce between the two countries.

Cultural Promotion

Another crucial function carried out by the Netherlands embassy in India is the promotion of the country’s culture. It organises events and programs to spread awareness about Netherland’s culture among the Indians. The main aim of cultural promotion is to foster connection among the people of both countries.

Consular Services

The embassy of the Netherlands also provides consular services to its citizens in times of emergency. It issues visas, passports and other assistance to its citizens, as the case may be.

The Embassy of the Netherlands in India offers several services to the citizens of the Netherlands in India, assisting them in difficult situations. Here are some of the services.

• Emergency Aid- The embassy steps forward to aid the citizens of its country if any natural disaster or other emergency situation arises in India. It may help to evacuate the citizens or provide them with medical assistance in case of any injury.

• Visa Issuance- One of the most crucial services offered by the Netherlands embassy is issuing visas to Indian citizens who want to visit the Netherlands. It receives all the visa applications, scrutinises them and issues the visa, allowing Indians to travel to the Netherlands.

• Passport Issuance- The embassy also issues temporary or emergency passports to the citizens of the Netherlands living or visiting India. In case someone loses their passport, they can approach the embassy to issue a temporary passport so they can travel back.

• Conducting Visa Interviews- Before issuing visas to Indians visiting the Netherlands, the embassy conducts visa interviews of the applicants. A visa interview allows the authorities to assess the candidate’s eligibility and ensures that they are travelling for legitimate purposes. This is crucial for the safety of the Netherlands and its citizens.

• Assist the Citizens- The embassy provides legal, medical and other types of assistance to the citizens of the Netherlands. It rescues the citizens of its country by intervening in legal matters, preventing deportation, helping with travel arrangements, etc.

A jurisdiction is the area which falls under the scope of an embassy’s operation. An embassy’s scope is wider than the consulate. Thus, the jurisdiction of the Netherlands embassy in Delhi is expansive and is spread across all the states in India.

On the other hand, a consulate’s scope of jurisdiction is limited to the city where its office is situated. For example, the scope of the Netherlands consulate in Mumbai is limited to Mumbai only. It cannot cater to the requirements of the people in other cities.

Yes, the Netherlands is a Schengen country, which requires all Indians to hold a Schengen visa to be able to visit the country. Indians can apply for various types of Schengen visas for the Netherlands, such as short-term, long-term, transit, etc.

Depending on the type of visa, Indians may be required to submit different types of documents.
However, it is essential to note that a Schengen visa mandatorily requires travel insurance. It is advisable to check the exact document requirements and Netherlands embassy fees in India beforehand to avoid any hassle.

You can check the details at VFS Global, Netherlands' official visa partner in India.

Also Read: Netherlands Visa Requirements for Indians

Through VFS Global

1. Navigate to VFS Global official website.
2. Click on the Start Now button under ‘apply for visa’.
3. Identify the type of visa you need, such as short-term, long-term, etc.
4. Next, create an account on the Netherlands consular website to fill out the application form.
5. Book a visa interview appointment at the VFS Global application centre. You must log in or create an account to book an appointment.
6. At the VFS centre, submit the application form and the necessary documents.
7. Pay the visa application fee if required.
8. You can track your application online to find out its current status. Alternatively, you may also opt for SMS services to receive visa updates.
9. Once the visa is approved, you can have your passport and visa collected from the application centre.

Also Read: Netherlands Visa Photo Size and Photo Requirements

The Kingdom of Netherlands is a beautiful country that will mesmerise you with its charm and beauty. However, while travelling to this Schengen country, there are some special requirements that you must fulfil, one of which is valid travel insurance with a minimum coverage of € 30,000.

If you are travelling to the Netherlands, you must buy reliable and efficient travelling insurance for your safety and peace of mind. TATA AIG offers an affordable insurance plan that is visa-compliant and comprehensive.

You can opt for our Schengen insurance, which offers extensive coverage of up to $10,00,000. Under our plans, you get coverage for hospitalisation, OPD, daycare treatments, cashless benefits, and much more. Our plans also cover various other travel risks, such as passport loss, baggage loss or delay, repatriation of remains, accidental death, etc.

If you are travelling with senior citizens, consider purchasing our travel insurance for senior citizens, with coverage of up to $50,000. It is exclusively designed for adults above 71 years of age and covers accidents and illnesses, emergency medical evacuation, travel assistance, baggage loss and delay, trip extensions, etc.

Most of all, we allow you to buy travel insurance online, starting at ₹ 24.8 per day, making the entire process hassle-free and quick.