Applying for an entry visa for the Netherlands in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
If you are currently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and your Dutch residence permit has been lost or stolen, or has expired, follow the steps below to apply for an entry visa for the Netherlands.
Step 1: Check whether you need a visa
In some cases, you may not need a visa for travel to the Netherlands. Select the situation that applies to you.
My residence permit has expired. Check whether you need a visa
My residence permit has been lost or stolen. Check whether you need a visa
Step 2: Gather the documents that you need
The checklist tells you which documents you need for your entry visa application.
Step 3: Send an email to the embassy
When you have gathered all the documents, send an email to the embassy in Kinshasa to apply for an entry visa.
The embassy will check with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) whether you are entitled to a residence permit for the Netherlands. If so, the embassy will contact you to make an appointment and start your application for an entry visa.
Your personal details
In the subject line of your email, state: Entry visa application
In the body of your email, state:
- your surname and given names
- your current location
- the telephone number on which you can be reached
- your date of birth
- your nationality.
Your documents
Attach the following documents to your email:
- a scan or photo of your passport or ID card
- a scan or photo of your expired residence permit or as much information as possible about your residence permit, such as your alien registration number (V number); if your residence permit was stolen, also include a police statement
Step 4: Go to your appointment
Go to your appointment at the embassy, and bring all the documents from step 2 with you, including your checklist.
At your appointment you should:
- submit the documents on your checklist together with your passport
- have your fingerprints taken (only if you are 12 or older)
- answer questions about your trip
- pay the visa fee
- indicate whether you want to collect your passport (with visa affixed) or have it sent to you (at any address)
- receive a tracking number to track your application
The overview of consular fees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tells you what your visa will cost.
Usually, you will receive an email in response to your application within 15 days. This may take longer in some situations. In that case, you will receive a response within 45 days.
After you submit your application you will receive a tracking number that you can use to track the status of your visa application online.
Step 5: Collect your passport or have it sent to you
You will receive an email once your application has been processed. The email won’t say whether your application was successful. You can collect your passport or have it sent to you. If your application was approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.
If you want to have your passport sent to you, you can ask during your appointment how to arrange this.
If you want to collect your passport in person, you will be given a collection date during your appointment. You can also have someone else collect your passport for you.
If you collect your passport yourself, you must bring:
- a valid identity document; and
- your payment receipt.
If someone else collects your passport for you, they must bring:
- a valid identity document
- a signed letter from you authorising them to collect your passport; and
- your payment receipt.
Check that all the information on your visa is correct, including your name and the validity period.
Find out more about the information on your visa
If any of the information is incorrect, or if you cannot use the visa, for example because the validity period does not match the dates of the airline tickets in your application, contact the Netherlands embassy in Kinshasa.
Step 6: Prepare for your return trip
Return to the Netherlands within 7 days of the date shown on your visa.
Your entry visa is valid for 7 days after the date shown on the visa. You must return to the Netherlands within that period.
You are only allowed to travel to the Netherlands via another country in the Schengen area if this is stated on your visa. The visa states the countries you are allowed to travel through on your way to the Netherlands. The entry visa does not give you the right to stay in any country other than the Netherlands.
When you arrive in the Netherlands or another Schengen area country, the visa in your passport will show border control that you are allowed to stay in the Netherlands.
Apply to the IND for a new residence permit once you have returned to the Netherlands.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.