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Do China passport holders need a visa to visit NL?

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit the Netherlands for tourism. There is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa option. ETIAS does not apply to Chinese nationals because it is only for visa-exempt countries. The Netherlands is a Schengen Area country, and China is not on the EU visa-exempt list. A Chinese ordinary passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travelling for tourism. The visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications are submitted in person at a TLScontact visa application centre in China (15 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and others), with biometrics (fingerprints and photo) collected. The visa fee is EUR 90 for adults, plus a TLScontact service charge. Standard processing is about 15 calendar days but can take longer in peak season, so apply at least 15 working days and no later than 45 days before travel (up to 6 months ahead). Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid throughout Schengen is mandatory. ETIAS (launching Q4 2026) is a pre-travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities and does NOT replace the visa requirement for Chinese citizens. The Netherlands historically has a very high approval rate (~96%) for Chinese applicants.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / uniform visa)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple entry (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (adult); EUR 45 (child 6-11); free under 6
consular fee only
Processing time
About 15 calendar days (may extend to 30-45 in peak season)
standard track
Validity
Valid for the dates granted, within the 180-day window; multiple-entry visas may be valid 1-5 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Identify your travel purpose and book a TLScontact appointment
Confirm the visit is short-stay tourism (under 90 days). Create an account and book an appointment at the TLScontact centre covering your place of residence (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Wuhan, Xi'an, Jinan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Kunming, Changsha or Shenzhen).
· TLScontact· 15 cities in China
/02
Complete the Schengen application form
Fill in the harmonised Schengen visa application form online to obtain a unique code, then print and sign it. Select tourism as the purpose and the Netherlands as the main destination.
· Type C· Tourism purpose
/03
Assemble the document checklist
Gather a valid passport, photo, itinerary, flight and hotel bookings, proof of funds (about EUR 100/day), travel insurance, and proof of ties to China. Use the tourism-specific checklist from the official Dutch website.
· Tourism checklist· Proof of funds
/04
Attend the appointment and give biometrics
Submit your documents in person, pay the visa and service fees, and provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics are valid for 59 months). Applicants who gave biometrics in the last 59 months may be exempt.
· Biometrics· In-person
/05
Wait for processing and track your application
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days. Track status online via TLScontact. Apply at least 15 working days before, and no later than 45 days before travel.
· ~15 days· Online tracking
/06
Collect your passport and verify the visa
Retrieve your passport from TLScontact or by courier. Check the visa sticker for correct dates, number of entries and duration of stay before you travel.
· Passport pickup· Verify sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Chinese ordinary passport valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years
required
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form with unique code
required
One recent biometric passport photo (35x45mm)
required
Travel medical insurance, minimum EUR 30,000 coverage, valid across Schengen
required
Round-trip flight reservation / itinerary
required
Confirmed hotel or accommodation bookings for the whole stay
required
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, approx. EUR 100/day)
required
Proof of ties to China (employment letter, business licence, property)
recommended
Day-by-day travel itinerary
recommended
Hukou (household register) and ID copy
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard adult fee; non-refundable even if refused
Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt
TLScontact service feeapprox. EUR 30-40Paid in CNY at the application centre
Travel medical insuranceapprox. EUR 30-50Mandatory; minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
Total estimateEUR 90 — EUR 180incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing
~15 calendar days
Typical decision time after the appointment; apply no later than 45 days before travel.
Peak-season processing
30-45 days
During summer and holiday periods decisions can take longer; apply up to 6 months ahead.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
China is not on the EU visa-exempt list
Chinese ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt for the Schengen Area, so a Type C visa is mandatory for tourism.
High
/02
ETIAS does not apply
ETIAS (from Q4 2026) is only for visa-exempt nationals; Chinese citizens follow the existing Schengen visa process instead.
Medium
/03
Insufficient supporting documents
Missing proof of funds, insurance or accommodation is a common cause of refusal or delay.
Medium
/04
Weak ties to home country
Failure to demonstrate intention to return to China can lead to refusal.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
China to Netherlands route verified
Confirmed via official Dutch government sources that Chinese ordinary passport holders still require a Schengen Type C visa (EUR 90, ~15 days, apply via TLScontact). Verified ETIAS launches Q4 2026 but applies only to visa-exempt nationalities, not to Chinese citizens.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Chinese citizens need a visa to visit the Netherlands?—
Yes. Chinese ordinary passport holders must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travelling. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option.
Does ETIAS replace the visa for Chinese travellers?+
How long can I stay on a Netherlands Schengen visa?+
Where do I apply in China?+
How much does the visa cost?+
How early should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

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Compare the China passport
Stack it up against another passport→
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China visa-free map
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China passport power
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