Netherlands Visa RequirementsFor Afghanistan passport holders
Afghan citizens require a Schengen visa to visit the Netherlands, costing €90 ($98 USD). With Dutch Embassy operations in Kabul suspended, Afghans apply at the Dutch Embassy in Islamabad or Dubai. A Dutch Schengen visa grants access to all 27 Schengen countries.
Afghanistan passport holders require a visa to enter Netherlands.
Apply at the Dutch Embassy in Islamabad or the Dutch Consulate in Dubai. Complete the Schengen application form and book an appointment. Required documents: valid Afghan passport (at least 3 months beyond Schengen return), two biometric passport photos, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 Schengen-wide), confirmed return flights, hotel bookings or accommodation proof, 3 months of bank statements showing sufficient funds, employment letter and payslips, and evidence of ties to your current country of residence. The €90 fee is paid at the embassy. Processing takes 15 business days.
Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Afghanistan to Netherlands: What You Need to Know
The Netherlands is a Schengen member: a Dutch Schengen visa grants access to all 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The Schengen fee is €90 since June 2024. The Dutch Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in August 2021. Afghan nationals apply at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Islamabad or the Dutch Consulate General in Dubai. The Netherlands hosts a significant Afghan diaspora, particularly after receiving Afghan refugees and evacuees in 2021. Applicants should demonstrate strong ties to their country of current residence and genuine tourist intent.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Afghan airports to the Netherlands. Route via Dubai (DXB) with flydubai then KLM direct to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), or via Islamabad (ISB) through Gulf hubs then KLM or other carriers to Amsterdam. Istanbul (IST) via Turkish Airlines then KLM or Transavia to AMS is another option. Schiphol Airport is one of Europe's largest hubs with excellent onward connections. Total journey time from Kabul is typically 12 to 18 hours.
Money & Banking
The Netherlands uses the euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. The Netherlands is expensive by European standards: Amsterdam accommodation from €50 to €80 in budget options, meals from €12 to €18 in casual restaurants. Cycling is the primary mode of transport, and bike rentals are available everywhere. The Dutch public transport OV-chipkaart (transit card) covers all trains, trams, and buses. ATMs are widely available. Notify your bank before travel.
Practical Tips
Amsterdam's canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site with the Rijksmuseum (Rembrandt, Vermeer), Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. The Keukenhof flower gardens near Amsterdam feature over 7 million tulips in bloom each April. Rotterdam has striking modern architecture and the world's largest port in Europe. Delft's blue pottery tradition and Vermeer connections make it a charming day trip from Amsterdam. The Hague is the seat of international law with the International Court of Justice and the Peace Palace.