Can I keep my passport, or get it back temporarily, while my visa application for the Netherlands is being processed?
You must hand in your passport when you apply for a visa for the Netherlands. Without your passport, you cannot submit your visa application. But there are exceptions to this rule. Check what applies to you.
Required documents
When you submit your visa application, you must also submit the documents on your checklist, together with your passport. You always need your passport to make a visa application. If your application is approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.
Exceptions: keeping your passport or getting it back temporarily
When you apply for a visa, it is only possible to keep your passport or get it back temporarily in specific situations. Find out what applies in your situation.
You can keep your passport if one of the following situations applies to you:
- You do not live in the country where you are submitting your visa application and you need your passport to travel home.
- You work for an airline as cabin personnel or a pilot and you need your passport for an upcoming journey or for another visa application.
If you are cabin personnel or a pilot, you must submit a letter with your visa application stating why you need to keep your passport.
You can only get your passport back without cancelling the visa application if your situation is an emergency. A holiday or business trip is not considered an emergency.
If you think that your situation counts as an emergency send a signed letter to the location where you submitted your visa application explaining your situation and why you need your passport back temporarily.
Other situations
If none of the above situations apply to you, you cannot keep your passport while your visa application is being processed. Once you hand in your passport you can only get it back if you cancel the application.
Cancelling a visa application
If you have submitted a visa application and want to cancel your application, send an email to the location where you submitted your application explaining this. Attach a letter to the email in which you explain why you want to cancel your application. Make sure to sign the letter.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.