How do you apply for a visa for the Netherlands if you live in South Africa?
You apply through VFS Global in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. The government fee is EUR 90. Official processing time: Average processing time for a Schengen visa is 18 to 21 calendar days; in some situations it can increase to 45 calendar days.
Key facts
| Fact | What it is |
|---|---|
| Government fee | EUR 90Checked 14 November 2026 against Government of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide) |
| Where you apply | VFS Global: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, PretoriaChecked 14 November 2026 against Government of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide) |
| Official processing time | Average processing time for a Schengen visa is 18 to 21 calendar days; in some situations it can increase to 45 calendar days.Checked 14 November 2026 against Government of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide) |
| Refusal rate | 3.0% (2025)Checked 14 November 2026 against European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs |
| Recent rule change | The Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational: it registers non-EU short-stay travellers, including fingerprints and facial images, at the external borders of 29 European countries and replaces passport stamping. (from 10 April 2026)Checked 14 November 2026 against European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs |
| How to book an appointment | Make the appointment online at VFS Global in South Africa yourself, not through an intermediary, and make a separate appointment for each person. To change or cancel, contact VFS Global.Checked 14 November 2026 against Government of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide) |
Documents for this route
These are the documents this route asks for on top of the usual list.
- Non-South African nationals: South African residence permit or temporary residence permit valid at least three months beyond the planned stay
- Photocopies of Schengen entry and exit stamps for the last three years from previous passports, if available
- Bank statement for the three months before the date of application, as proof of sufficient means
- Proof of employment: a letter from the employer stating monthly wages, start of employment, continuing employment after the leave and the length of the holiday
- If self-employed: a recent certification from the SA Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and a current Tax Certificate from SARS (South African Revenue Services)
- If a student: letter of enrolment or confirmation from a school, college or university in South Africa
- Minors: birth certificate naming the parents, certified copies of the ID or passport of all parents or legal guardians, and certified parental consent (affidavit) when travelling alone or with one parent
- If not returning to South Africa: reasonable proof of the onward plan, for example an employment contract, proof of enrolment or a rental agreement in the next country
Related pages
Sources
- https://ambpretoria.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sud-Africa_ENG.pdfEuropean Commission (copy published by the Embassy of Italy in Pretoria), read 14 November 2026
- https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/56816949-e59f-442b-9091-5d03360bf860_enEuropean Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, read 14 November 2026
- https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_enEuropean Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, read 14 November 2026
- https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/schengen-visa/apply-south-africaGovernment of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide), read 14 November 2026
- https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/consular-fees/south-africaGovernment of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide), read 14 November 2026
- https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/waiting-time-after-visa-applicationGovernment of the Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NetherlandsWorldwide), read 14 November 2026
Changes to this page
No changes since this page was published on 14 November 2026.
Who checked this page
Facts checked by Imran AK. Reviewed by Manu KP. Last reviewed 14 November 2026.
Every fact comes from an official page and is checked by two people.