Visa for the Netherlands from Sri Lanka: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. As a Sri Lankan passport holder you need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit the Netherlands as a tourist. It covers a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period throughout the Schengen area. You should apply to the Netherlands when it is your main destination or your point of entry.

• Government fee90 EUR
• Application centre feeCapped at €45
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare a valid passport (valid at least three months beyond your intended departure, with two blank pages), the signed form, a recent passport photo, travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, your itinerary, proof of accommodation and evidence of sufficient funds. The visa fee is typically EUR 90 for an adult, but confirm the current amount and accepted payment methods with the official source.

From Sri Lanka, Netherlands visa applications are handled through the accredited partner (VFS Global) in Colombo. Book an appointment online, complete the Schengen application form, then attend in person for biometric capture (fingerprints and photo). Confirm the exact channel and centre address on netherlandsworldwide.nl before booking.

• Your application goes to the state that is your main destination. If the Netherlands is where you spend the longest, it handles the file, whatever the entry point.
• With no main destination, the competent state is the one you enter first.
• If the Netherlands has no consulate in Sri Lanka, another Schengen state may act on its behalf under a representation arrangement, or the file goes to the post accredited for your country.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Sri Lanka, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Sri Lanka but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Processing usually takes 15 to 45 days, so submit well in advance, no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before travel. A complete, consistent file (dates, bookings, funds) speeds up the decision. Avoid booking non-refundable tickets until the visa is issued.

Refusals often stem from insufficient insurance (below EUR 30,000), poorly documented funds, or applying to the wrong country when the Netherlands is not the main destination. Also avoid applications filed too late and inconsistent accommodation or itinerary evidence.