GENERAL INFORMATION
• Indian nationals, travelling to any of the above mentioned islands business, for tourism or other reasons, need to apply for a visitor’s visa. There is NO need for an airport transit visa: Indian nationals on their way to final destinations outside The Netherlands Antilles, staying in the transit zone of the airport on one of the islands for a maximum of 48 hours, can do so without having a visa for Tthe Netherlands Antilles. In case the applicant wishes to stay for more than 48 hours at the Antilles a visitor’s visa is required.
• The following persons do NOT require a visa for The Netherlands Antilles:
– Holders of a valid residence permit for the United States of America, Canada or one of the Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).
– Captains, passengers or crew members whose ship or airplane docks or lands in the Netherlands Antilles for maximum 48 hours, provided there is not threat or danger to national security and/ or the public.
– Holders of a valid residence permit for Aruba with a validity for 6 months or longer.
• The Netherlands Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai can issue multiple entry visas with a maximum duration of 1 (one) year. Each stay in The Netherlands Antilles has a maximum duration of 30 days. Applicants who wish to stay longer than 30 days should, directly after arrival, seek permission with the local head of police on the island itself. With a multiple entry visa, valid for 1 (one) year the visitor is allowed a maximum stay of 90 days in twelve months; for instance 6 entries of each 15 days.
• The visa will be valid throughout T Netherlands Antilles. The main destination will be mentioned on the visa sticker, however the applicant is free to visit the other islands as well. Visas for The Netherlands Antilles do not give the right to enter Aruba, for this island a separate visa application should be submitted (see separate information bulletin).
• Other visas, e.g. for residence, family reunion or for the purpose of taking up employment are subject to the national law of the island of destination. This type of visa should be applied for with the competent authorities of the island by the sponsor; one cannot apply for the residence permit at The Netherlands Embassy in New Delhi or at the Consulate General in Mumbai.
• In case the applicant is in possession of the so-called “landings permit” the applicant still has to apply for a visitor’s visa in order to enter the island.
• A visa does not guarantee access to The Netherlands Antilles. The final authorisation remains within the competence of the immigration officer at the border. It is advised to bring copies of invitation letters and proof of sufficient financial means when travelling.
• Payment of visa handling fees:
– At the Embassy in New Delhi: only by demand-draft in favour of Royal Netherlands Embassy, New Delhi.
– At the Consulate General in Mumbai: cash only.
The current fee for a Netherlands Antilles visa is EUR 35. — (Thirty Five Euro only). When calling the appointment line, the actual fee in local currency should be verified.
• In principle all applicants have to apply in person.
• When the applicant shows all the required documents the visa could be issued in 72 hours. If the application has to be submitted for extra checking with the competent authorities in The Netherlands Antilles, the issuance of the visa might take up to 4-8 weeks. Visa application form for visits to the Netherlands Antilles.
