Where to Apply
Embassy of the Netherlands in Belgrade
- Address: Milentija Popovića 5b, Belgrade 11070 - map card, you can build a route
- Working days: Wednesday and Thursday
- Reception hours: 9:00-11:30
- Days when ready visas are issued: Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00-11:30
Make an appointment
Slots
Slots appear extremely rarely - usually once every 2-3 months, at the beginning or the end of a month. Many people catch them only after sending a letter to the embassy with a clear explanation of the purpose (invitation, business event).
Required Documents
Main Package
- Completed Schengen visa form: https://consular.mfaservices.nl/schengen-visa/short-stay?lang=en
- Original passport + copy of all pages with stamps
- Copies of previous passports (if any)
- 1 colour photo 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, face occupies 70-80 % of the frame
- Medical insurance - minimum 30 000 EUR, covering all Schengen countries
- Scan of residence permit in Serbia (not a printout from a reader)
Documents Regarding the Purpose of the Trip
- Tourism - hotel reservations, travel itinerary (as of September 2025 tourist visas for Russian citizens are not issued)
- Visiting friends/family - official invitation issued by the municipality (gemeente) of the Netherlands
- Business - invitation from the organizers on company letterhead with a stamp
Transport and Accommodation
- Flight reservation (can be for 24-48 h)
- Hotel reservation, if not provided by the inviting party
- Print documents on only one side of the sheet
- Colour copies of passport and residence permit
- Translations into English, French, German or Dutch; a certified (court) translation is required only for a national visa (MVV)
Financial Documents
- Bank statements for the last 3 months - accepted from Raiffeisen Bank and other Serbian banks; English is preferred, Serbian is also allowed. The amount must cover all trip expenses.
- Employment - work certificate in English; for sole proprietors - turnover statement for 3 months and average income; if needed - company registration in Serbia.
- Sponsorship letter (if the sponsor is a spouse or the inviting party): sponsorship letter, sponsor's income certificate, documents proving the relationship (marriage certificate with translation), sponsor's bank statement.
Cost and Processing Times
- Visa fee - 90 EUR, payment by card (Visa or Mastercard) only at the embassy; Dina cards are not accepted.
- Processing time - officially up to 15-45 days, in practice 10-14 days for standard applications; business visas are sometimes processed in 7-10 days.
Types of Visas
- Tourist (C) - ⚠️ From 1 September 2025 tourist visas for Russian citizens are not issued.
- Family/friends visa - only for 1st and 2nd degree relatives (spouse, parents, children, parents/children of spouse, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings of spouse). Friends do not fall into this category.
- Business visa - participation in conferences, business meetings; an official invitation is required, a ticket alone is insufficient.
- National (D/MVV) - long-term stay, separate procedure, mandatory certified translations.
- Multiple-entry visa - issued extremely rarely; most people receive a single-entry visa for 30 days within 1.5-2 months.
Hacks and Tips
- Write to the embassy with a specific reason for the trip and attach supporting documents - this works best for business trips and visits to close relatives.
- If you have relatives in the Netherlands, ask them to send a letter to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Slots often appear late in the evening - check the website at that time.
- Arrive with a complete set of documents for all family members; sometimes several applications are accepted together even if the appointments were on different days.
- Make copies of all papers - it is better to bring extra than to lack something.
- Fingerprints are taken anew each time.
- State the purpose of the trip clearly, show stable financial documents and ties to Serbia (employment, family, property).
- Send original invitations by DHL Express (delivered in 5 days); submit copies at the appointment, originals may be taken away. One invitation can be used for a family of up to 4 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a tourist visa?
From September 2025 - no for Russian citizens. Only visas based on invitations from 1-2 degree relatives, business purposes or study are possible.
How long does it take to get a slot on the website?
Months. It is better to write to the embassy with a justification for the trip.
Can I apply without the original invitation?
Copies are accepted, but the original is still preferred. First make a scan for yourself.
Is a certified (court) translation required?
Not always. It is mandatory for a national visa (MVV); for other visas a regular translation is often sufficient.
Do they issue multiple-entry visas?
Extremely rarely - usually single-entry visas for a specific trip.
Can I retrieve my passport before a decision is made?
Yes, the passport can be returned and later brought back without additional charge.
Do they accept Serbian insurance?
No, you need insurance covering all Schengen countries.
What if there is a problem with the country of birth field in the form?
When selecting "Russian Federation" an error sometimes occurs. Choose "Former USSR" - the application will go through.
Can I transit through Amsterdam without a visa?
Yes, if you do not leave the transit area and have onward tickets.
Important: Visa rules can change without notice. Before applying, check the latest information on official websites.