Applying for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa

Netherlands limited territorial validity visa is also commonly known as the temporary residence permit in the Netherlands. It is a type of visa issued for those people who are not eligible to get the standard residence permit but have some special reasons to stay temporarily in the Netherlands.

Visa holders can only remain in the Netherlands for specific periods and must meet the strict eligibility criteria to renew or extend their visa after it expires. Applicants must prepare the necessary documents and submit them to a Dutch immigration agency with all the required details.

If you are neither a citizen of the Netherlands nor qualify for any other visa, you must apply for a limited territorial validity (LTV) visa. The LTV visa is also known as the “invalid residence” visa.

A residence permit permits a non-citizen to reside in one specific municipality within the Netherlands. A person living on an LTV visa can work only in the specified municipality and cannot leave its boundaries without losing their right to reside there. 

Other than this, LTV visa holders enjoy all the rights of a Dutch resident and can live, work and study anywhere in the country. With so many restrictions on this type of visa, it might seem like an arduous process to get one.

However, it should be pretty straightforward once you understand what they are looking for during your interview. Here is everything you need to know about how to apply for a Netherlands limited territorial validity visa.

Who can apply for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa?

Anyone who is not a citizen of the Netherlands can apply for a limited territorial validity visa if they meet the following criteria:

• You have a clean criminal record showing no convictions for serious crimes.
• You have no unresolved issues with the authorities.
• You must have a passport from a visa-free country.
• You have enough money to support yourself during the application process.
• You can prove that you have a valid reason for being in the Netherlands.

What does a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa allow you to do?

A limited territorial validity visa allows you to reside only in one specific municipality within the Netherlands. As such, you can only work in that municipality and are not permitted to leave it.

That being said, you are entitled to all the rights a Dutch resident enjoys and can live, work and study anywhere in the Netherlands. You can also travel outside the country, only using the specific municipality as a point of return. However, You can apply to have your place of residence changed.

How to apply for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa?

The first thing to do is make sure you meet the criteria for this type of visa. If you do, you can apply for a limited territorial validity visa at your local municipality. Setting up a meeting with the municipality is the first step. You can book this online via the IND website.

It is wise to book this as soon as you have decided that you want to apply for a limited territorial validity visa. You will also need proof of your financial ability to support yourself during this process. You must also prove that the are sufficient funds to survive while waiting for your application decision.

The first step of this process is to visit your local municipality to apply for a residence permit. Once the application has been accepted, the municipality will issue you a letter containing your permit number. You will be given 90 days to travel to the Netherlands and apply for your visa at the Dutch embassy in your country.

Where do I apply for a Netherlands visa?

VFS Global handles most visa applications in the Netherlands on behalf of the country’s authorities. Applicants must submit an online application and then appear in person for an interview at a VFS Global center, which is typically found in major metropolitan areas.

Among the many Indian locations, you can find Mumbai, Pune, Puducherry, Chennai, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Goa, New Delhi, Kochi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

The Netherlands visa application centers in the United States accept visa applications from citizens of the Netherlands.

• Chicago,
• Houston,
• California,
• Miami,
• The Big Apple,
• The city of San Francisco, California,
• The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.

In some cases, you may be able to submit your visa application through an embassy, which you may verify on their website.

Applications should be processed in around 15 days, although this time frame can extend to 30 days, especially during high demand. On the other hand, the process may take up to 60 days, so apply as soon as possible.

Learn more about Netherland visas here.

Documents required to apply for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa

To apply for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity, you must complete an application form and provide the following documentation:

• A valid passport from a visa-exempt country.
• Proof of sufficient funds to live in the Netherlands.
• A valid reason for being in the Netherlands.
• Two passport-sized photographs.
• A valid health insurance policy.
• A medical report that you are not contagious.
• A valid return ticket.
• A valid residence permit.

Interview process and requirements for a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa

The interview process and requirements for a limited territorial validity visa are similar to those for a general residence permit. In addition, you will be asked to disclose your reasons for seeking a visa, coming to the Netherlands, and proof of sufficient funds.

They will ask questions about any prior arrests or convictions for crimes. But, there are a few areas where the procedure differs. For instance, the authorities will be primarily interested in your reason for seeking a visa. That is, they will want to know why you have chosen to apply for this visa over another.

How much does a Netherlands visa cost?

It costs €80 to obtain a Schengen Visa to travel within the Schengen Zone. In addition, external service providers, such as visa agencies or VFS Global, may charge an additional cost if you use their services for your application.

What is the time and cost of Processing a Netherlands Limited Territorial Validity Visa?

Three choices are available, and the fee depends on how long it takes the Netherlands Schengen Visa to be processed.

You can all choose the option that best suits your needs based on your requirements:

If you have enough time to travel, you can choose this option to expedite the processing and delivery of your document.

Get your paperwork sooner with this option, but you’ll pay a higher fee. If you don’t have much time, rush processing time is the best alternative.

Fast Turnaround: Do you need your paperwork as soon as possible? You’ll pay more, but you’ll get your document faster if you choose this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries are included in the Schengen Area?

Twenty-six nations (“Schengen States”) make up the Schengen region without border controls. The following nations are included: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. For short-stay visas, these nations follow the general visa policy.

 What is a Schengen visa?

• A visa that permits a stay of up to 90 days in the Schengen States’ territory throughout any 180 days (“short stay visa”),
• A visa permits travel via airports in the Schengen States’ international transit zones (“airport transit visa”).
• You are generally permitted to go to any Schengen States while still using the issued visa.
• If you want to stay in a Schengen country for more than 90 days, work there, or start a business, trade, or profession there, a Schengen visa is not acceptable.

Can I use my Schengen visa to leave the Schengen region and then return?

Multiple entries or a single entry may be permitted with a Schengen visa. However, you are only permitted one entry into the Schengen region with a single-entry visa. “01” on the visa sticker serves as a reminder of this.

If your visa allows for two or more entries, you may enter the country twice or more while it is still valid.

I did not receive a visa; what should I do? Will the visa fee be reimbursed?

The ruling of denial is appealable. An applicant is informed of the decision to reject a Schengen visa and the reasons for the refusal by the consulate of the Member State that made the denial decision. The communication must specify the reasons for the denial and the procedures and deadlines for submitting an appeal.

The Member that made the final decision in this case, France, will handle the appeal procedure when one Member State applies to represent another to issue visas (for instance, France uses to represent the Netherlands).

The fee is not reimbursed if the visa application is denied. The visa fee covers the cost of the application’s examination.

You may resubmit if your initial application is rejected. However, you should determine the reasons behind the previous denial and make any required adjustments before submitting a new application.

Conclusion 

The Netherlands limited territorial validity visa is a temporary residence permit. It is awarded for one year at a time and is not extendable. When applying for a visa, it is crucial to ensure you understand the requirements. Make sure you qualify for the visa type you want and have the proper documents for your application. If you do, you should have no trouble getting your visa.