Netherlands Visa from Serbia - Step-by-Step Guide

# Netherlands Visa from Serbia: Complete Guide

## Where to Apply

**Embassy of the Netherlands in Belgrade**
- Address: [Milentija Popovića 5b, Belgrade 11070](/detail/places/28281) - 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**
- Main method - through the VFS Global website: <https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Netherlands-Global-Online-Appointment_Zone2/AppScheduling/AppWelcome.aspx?P=KWfLdX%2FGTmuYQUeqIQEOCNnhmBT2ceX%2Bc%2FqmPvZwnLg%3D>
- Embassy email: bel-ca@minbuza.nl
- Additional email (sometimes helps): HDCV-BAO@minbuza.nl

**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

### Formatting Requirements
- 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.