The Dutch have been travelling to India for a very long time. The Dutch East India Company had trading posts across the Indian coast from the early 1600s, in places like Surat, Cochin, and Masulipatnam. That's four centuries of Dutch curiosity about India. Getting there today, fortunately, involves considerably less paperwork than it did then.
If you hold a Netherlands passport and you're planning a trip to India, here's everything you need to know — from whether you need a visa (you do) to how to get one, what documents to prepare, and what to keep in mind before you fly.
Do Netherlands Citizens Need a Visa for India?
Yes — an Indian visa is required for all Dutch passport holders travelling to India. There is no visa on arrival for Netherlands citizens, which means your visa must be secured before you depart.
The good news: the Indian government offers an Indian e-Visa for Dutch nationals, which means the entire process is done online. No embassy appointment, no queueing, no paperwork to post. You apply, pay, and receive your visa by email.
Check your eligibility before you begin! It is an important step.
Netherlands citizens are eligible for all major India e-Visa categories, provided your purpose of travel qualifies.
You may discover India e-Visa categories and visa fee for other countries like France, Germany, Hungary and UK.
Types of India e-Visa Available to Dutch Citizens
There are three primary e-Visa types available to Netherlands passport holders:
e-Tourist Visa
The most common choice for Dutch travelers visiting India for holidays, sightseeing, yoga retreats, or short courses in music, cooking, or language — India e-Tourist Visa. Available in three durations — 30 days (double entry), 1 year (multiple entry), and 5 years (multiple entry). For the 1-year and 5-year options, your total stay within any single calendar year cannot exceed 180 days.
e-Business Visa
For Dutch nationals travelling to India for business meetings, trade discussions, or industrial visits, India e-Business Visa is the most appropriate option. Valid for 1 year with multiple entries, with each stay not exceeding 180 days.
e-Medical Visa
For those travelling to India for medical treatment at recognized hospitals. Available in a triple-entry format, valid for 60 days. The India e-Medical Visa requires a letter from the treating hospital in India.
e-Medical Attendant Visa
For Dutch nationals travelling to India as a companion or caregiver to a medical patient. Up to two attendants may accompany a single e-Medical Visa holder. Valid for 60 days with triple entry — but the attendant's visa validity is tied to the patient's visa and cannot exceed it.
e-Conference Visa
For those attending conferences, seminars, workshops, or training programmes organised by Indian government bodies or recognised institutions. Requires an official invitation from the organising body and, in some cases, political clearance. Valid for the duration of the event.
What Documents Do You Need?
The e-Visa application is straightforward, but having your documents ready before you start saves time. Netherlands citizens need the following:
✔️ Valid Dutch passport — minimum 6 months validity from your intended arrival date in India, with at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps
✔️ Passport bio page scan — a clear scan showing your photo, name, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date
✔️ Recent passport-size photograph — JPEG format, white background, taken within the last 6 months (no glasses)
✔️ Valid email address — Approved India e-Visa for Dutch Nationals will be sent here; double-check it before submitting
✔️ Payment method — credit or debit card accepted
✔️ Supporting documents — for business or medical applications, additional documents such as a business invitation letter or hospital letter will be required
How to Apply with IVC Visas? Know these Steps..
Choose Your Application Method
IVC Visas offers two flexible options:
Option A: IVC Visas completes the full application on your behalf.
Option B: You fill the application yourself, and IVC Visas reviews and corrects it before submission.
Step 1: Fill out the online application form.
- Choose your nationality, visa type, number of applicant and expected date of arrival.
- Proceed to 'Your info' to upload documents and other information.
Step 2: Upload your documents
- Upload passport bio page and photograph if you are considering e-tourist visa.
- In case of business e-visa, invitation letter and business name card are to be upload as well.
- In case of medical e-visa, an invitation letter from an Indian hospital is required.
Step 3: Pay the visa fee
You will find the amount of visa fee to be paid, at the checkout. You may pay through credit cards or other secure payment methods.
Note that the visa fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Step 4: Receive your ETA by email
Once approved, your Electronic Travel Authorization(ETA) arrives in your inbox as a PDF.
The official processing window is 72 hours, though real-world processing currently averages 8–10 business days.
Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your travel date to be safe, and no more than 120 days in advance.
Once approved, track your application status through the official portal. Before you travel, confirm that your status shows 'GRANTED' — don't fly on a pending status.
Avoid the most common mistakes Dutch applicants make — errors in passport details, incorrect photo format, or mismatched information are the most frequent causes of delays.
Which Airports Allow Entry on an India e-visa?
An important detail many travelers overlook: India e-Visa holders can only enter India through designated airports and seaports. The list covers all major international gateways — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and others.
Check the full list of authorized entry and exit ports before booking your flights. Most direct or connecting flights from Amsterdam Schiphol to India, land at India e-Visa approved airports, but it's worth confirming.
When do Dutch Travelers Visit India?
The peak season for visiting India from Europe is October to March, when the weather across the country is at its most agreeable — cool in the north, warm in the south, and largely dry everywhere. This aligns naturally with Dutch school holiday windows in autumn and the Christmas–New Year period.
Dutch travellers tend to gravitate toward a few classic routes. The Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur — remains the most popular first trip, covering the Taj Mahal, Mughal architecture, and Rajasthani forts in a manageable circuit. Many extend into deeper Rajasthan from Jaipur — Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer. Kerala's backwaters draw those looking for a slower pace — houseboat stays on the canals of Alleppey, tea estates in Munnar, and the coast at Kovalam. Goa is a perennial favorite for those combining beaches with Portuguese colonial history. And Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganges, has become a well-worn destination for yoga, meditation, and Himalayan foothills trekking.
If you're travelling between October and January — the busiest period — apply for your India e-Visa well in advance. The volume of applications during peak season can add to processing times.
First time flying to India? Check out this guide. It will make you understand the Indian e-visa process even more.
Important Things to Know Before You Fly
Extension of India e-Visa
Most India e-Visas cannot be extended once issued. If you wish to stay beyond your permitted duration, you must exit India before expiry and reapply from outside. In genuine emergencies, you may approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) — present in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Amritsar — but extension is not guaranteed and is granted at the authorities' discretion.
Conversion of e-Visa
An India e-Visa cannot be converted into any other visa category — employment, student, research, or otherwise — while you are inside India. If your purpose of travel changes, you must exit and apply for the appropriate visa type.
When You Need a Regular (Sticker) Visa Instead
The e-Visa covers tourism, business, medical treatment, and conferences. For long-term purposes — employment, full-time study, journalism, or research — a regular sticker visa is required. This must be applied for in person through the Indian Mission in the Netherlands before you travel.
Entry and Exit Rules
Entry into India on an e-Visa is permitted only through designated airports and seaports. Exit, however, is permitted from any authorised Immigration Check Post in India — not limited to your entry point.
Restricted Areas
Certain regions in India — including parts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh — require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) in addition to your e-Visa. Apply for this separately and well in advance if your itinerary includes these areas.
Pakistani Origin
Dutch nationals of Pakistani origin, or those whose parents or grandparents were born in or were permanent residents of Pakistan, are not eligible for an India e-Visa. A regular visa application through the Indian Mission is required.
Why Apply with IVC Visas?
✅ Expert human verification of every application
✅ Technical compliance guarantee
✅ Photo and document format optimization
✅ 24/7 multilingual support
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Expedited processing options
✅ Continued support even after approval
Summary Checklist for Dutch Applicants
- Confirm your purpose of travel matches the correct e-Visa category
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival date — with 2 blank pages
- Clear passport bio page scan ready to upload
- Compliant passport photo — JPEG, white background, no glasses, taken within 6 months
- Supporting documents prepared if applying for business, medical, or conference visa
- Verify your entry airport is on the authorized India e-Visa ports list
- Apply at least 2–3 weeks before travel — current processing averages 8–10 business days
- Check your status shows 'GRANTED' before flying
- Print your ETA and carry a physical copy
- Travel on the same passport used to apply
At IVC Visas, we handle India e-Visa applications for Dutch nationals and travelers from over 175 countries.
We check your application thoroughly for errors before submission, so mistakes that cause delays are caught before they reach the portal. With 24/7 support via Chat, WhatsApp, and Email, we're with you from application to approval.
Disclaimer: IVC Visas is an independent visa service provider. We assist with application preparation and submission to official government portals. Final visa approval decisions are made solely by Indian immigration authorities. All information is based on current regulations as prescribed by the Government of India, which may change. Always verify the latest requirements before travel.