If family or friends want to visit you in the Netherlands, they may need documents from you as their host. This depends on their nationality, the length of the visit, where they will stay, and whether they need a short-stay visa. This page explains what you may need to arrange when inviting someone to the Netherlands, including private accommodation, sponsorship, income requirements for sponsors, legalising your signature at the municipality, and what your visitor should check before travelling.
Before arranging documents, your visitor should check whether they need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. Visa requirements depend on the visitor’s nationality, residence country, travel document, and length of stay.
For many family or friend visits, the relevant category is a short stay in the Netherlands. This usually means a stay of 90 days or less. Whether someone needs a visa for a short stay depends on their nationality.
If your visitor needs a visa, they may need to show documents about where they will stay, how the visit will be paid for, travel insurance, return travel, and the purpose of the visit. Requirements can differ per country and situation, so your visitor should always check official information before applying.
Your visitor is responsible for checking the visa and entry requirements that apply to them. They may need to apply through a Dutch embassy, consulate, or external visa service provider in their country of residence. Keep in mind that they may be charged consular fees upon applying for a visa.
Depending on their situation, they may need to provide documents such as a valid passport, visa application form, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds or sponsorship, return ticket, and documents showing the purpose of the visit.
If your visitor wants to stay longer than 90 days, different rules may apply. They may need a residence permit or MVV, depending on their nationality and purpose of stay. In that case, they should check IND information about longer stays. Extension for a short-stay visa is only given for special or unexpected circumstances. In that case, you or your visitor has to contact the IND as soon as you know that they need to extend their stay.
When you invite someone to the Netherlands, there are two common situations: private accommodation and sponsorship.
Private accommodation means that your visitor will stay with you during their visit. In this case, you may need to confirm that you are providing a place to stay.
Sponsorship means that you guarantee certain costs connected to your visitor’s stay. This may be needed if your visitor does not have enough money to pay for the visit themselves.
These situations can apply separately or together. For example, your visitor may stay with you but pay for their own trip. In that case, you may only need to provide private accommodation. If your visitor stays with you and also needs financial sponsorship, you may need to provide both private accommodation and sponsorship.
Private accommodation and sponsorship are arranged using the same IND form. On the form, you indicate whether you are providing accommodation, sponsorship, or both.
Each visitor usually needs their own form, including children. If several people are visiting you, check the form instructions and official requirements before arranging the documents.
Complete the form before your municipality appointment, but do not sign it yet. In many cases, you need to sign the form in front of a municipal officer so they can legalise your signature. Legalisation does not mean the municipality checks the full visa application. It only confirms your identity and that the signature on the form is yours.
For proof of sponsorship or private accommodation, your signature may need to be legalised by your municipality. You need to bring the completed but unsigned form, valid identification, and any other documents required by your municipality. Some municipalities also charge a fee for legalising your signature. The procedure can differ per municipality. Check your municipality’s website before making an appointment.
After your signature has been legalised, you usually send the completed form to your visitor. Your visitor may need to include it with their visa application or show it when entering the Netherlands.
If you act as a sponsor, you must meet income requirements imposed by the IND. This means you need to show that you have sufficient and stable income to sponsor the visitor’s stay.
If you have a spouse or registered partner, they may also need to sign the form when you act as sponsor. Check the form instructions and the IND website to see what applies to your situation.
Sponsorship can have financial and legal consequences. Before signing, read the form carefully and make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.
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