Inviting Foreign Visitors

Some specific conditions need to be met if you want to invite a non-EU person to visit you in the Netherlands. In general, they are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days. Depending on their nationality (see this link), they will also need a visa to enter the Netherlands.

Your visitor must fulfil certain requirements to obtain a visa (see this link for the full list), most importantly that they have sufficient financial means for the entire stay in the Netherlands, transit and/or the return trip. See all the requirements on Netherlands Worldwide.

Sufficient funds

When visiting the Netherlands, one has to prove they have enough spending money to stay. €55 is considered sufficient funds per person per day for the duration of their stay. Your visitor must demonstrate they have this by showing bank statements.

If the visitor does not have sufficient funds, then you (or someone else who lives in the Netherlands) can sponsor them. The sponsor must prove that they have sufficient income. As of 2023, sponsors must earn at least €1,934.40 per month (gross income excluding holiday allowance) and this income must still be available for at least 12 months.

To start the process, you must fill in – but NOT SIGN – the form “Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation” (if you are the sponsor).

The form offers two options. Check one or both boxes as appropriate:​

Part 3a: Private accommodation – the visitor will stay at your house.​

Part 3b: Sponsorship – you are financially responsible for any costs that may arise from your visitor’s stay in the Netherlands.

Make an appointment at your local municipality to have your signature witnessed by a municipal representative. You will also have to pay a fee.

Send the signed (and thus legalized) document along with your proof of income to your visitor. Your visitor can take these to the Dutch embassy or consulate in their home country or country of residence and apply for a visa. The application for a short-stay visa also costs money, so check this link to see how much your visitor can expect to pay.

The decision time for the visa is 15 days. If the visa is granted, your visitor can collect it at the Dutch embassy or consulate where they submitted the application. A short-stay visa is a type C visa. It is a sticker that will be placed in their passport.