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Introduction
The Schengen treaty has put an end to border controls for people traveling between certain (European) countries. The following countries are presently Schengen members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Once arriving in another (Schengen) country, the traveler becomes a foreigner and is therefore subject to the foreign legislation of that country. This means that one has to be able to prove one's identity and carry a valid (passport or European identity card) travel document.
Period of free travel
With or without a visa requirement, the period that subjects from countries outside the European Union can travel freely in the Schengen area is at the most 90 days in a period of 180 days: the current period for a short stay in a Schengen country. The previous difference is that the period, after internal border controls have been abolished, is now valid for the whole Schengen area.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days in a Schengen country, a resident visa is required. Individual Schengen countries have the authority for this.
No automatic right of entry
A Schengen visa allows a foreigner who requires a visa to be in the Schengen area (for example the Netherlands). However a Schengen visa does not automatically allow entrance to the Schengen area. At the border control you may be asked once again to provide information and/or documents about your financial means, stay period and travel goal.
How do you get a Schengen visa?
There is no need to make an appointment for a Schengen visa. You can come to the Consular Department at the Netherlands Embassy (from Monday through Thursday from 09.00-12.30 and on Friday 09.00-12.00).
A Schengen visa can be applied for through an application form. This form can be obtained at the Embassy but it can also be dowloaded (see the below listed link 'Schengen apllication form'). A photo has to be added to the application (colour photo, format 35mmx45mm). This form should be submitted in person at the Embassy of the Schengen country that will be your main destination. If you want to visit more than one Schengen country, but do not have a main destination, then you have to apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy of the country that will be your first destination. If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country that is your main destination, then you still might need a visa for other Schengen countries that you want to visit. In that case you need to apply for the visa at the Embassy or the consulate of the first Schengen country for which you need your visa.
- If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply to the Consulate of that country.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply to the Consulate of the country to which the main purpose of your stay relates.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries and the main purpose is equal you must apply to the consulate of the country where you have the longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries and the main purpose and duration of the stay are equal you must apply to the Consulate of the country of the first entry.
In general your visa application will be processed within 14 days. In some cases the Embassy has to forward the visa application to the competent authorities in The Netherlands for a final decision. In this case it can take between 10 days up to two months before the visa can be issued.
The purpose of your visit to the Schengen country is important for the documents that have to be presented when you apply for a visa.
The following documents need to be submitted for a business visit:
· invitation for the visit (by name)
· valid passport
· valid resident permit for Israel
· return visa for Israel (has to be three months valid after the planned date of return)
· flight reservation
· hotel reservation
· bank statement
· three salary slips
· letter from your employer
· health insurance
The following documents need to be submitted for a tourist visit:
· valid passport
· valid resident permit for Israel
· return visa for Israel (has to be three months valid after the planned date of return)
· flight reservation
· hotel reservation
· bank statement
· three salary slips
· letter from your employer
· health insurance
The following documents need to be submitted for a family/friend visit:
· valid passport - applicant
· valid resident permit for Israel - applicant
· return visa for Israel (has to be three months valid after the planned date of return) - apllicant
· flight reservation - applicant
· employers’ declaration - applicant
· three salary slips - applicant
· health insurance applicant
· invitation via the municipality - person to be visited
· copy passport - person to be visited
· three salary slips - person to be visited
· bank statement - person to be visited |
