How to Apply for a Dutch Passport?

A Netherlands passport or Dutch passport is one of the most popular passports around the world. It supports 188 visa-free destinations. It is issued to Dutch citizens. If you, as a foreigner, have resided in the Netherlands for consecutive 5 years, you can obtain Dutch citizenship first, and then apply for a Dutch passport. If you’re married to a Dutch national, the requirement could be shortened to 3 years.

The regular passport is a 34-page booklet with a burgundy cover issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is a built-in chip carrying personal and biometric information, including the holder’s photograph, full name, address, fingerprints, unique passport number, etc.

Types of Dutch Passports

There are multiple types of passports in each country which feature different conditions, duration of validity and number of pages. Applicants must choose a proper one according to the identity and purpose of the visit. In this section, we are going to talk about types of Netherlands passport.

Regular Dutch Passport

This is issued for the purpose of traveling, business trips and identity verification.

Second Passport

This is issued for the purposes of business to frequent travelers or those who encounter problems while visiting other countries due to visas stamped on regular passports or due to the visa application in progress from a foreign embassy. It remains valid for 2 years upon issuance.

Business Passport

There are extra pages included in this type of passport for visa stamps, 66 pages in total. It is valid for five years after being issued.

Diplomatic Passport

This is issued to Dutch government representatives who are taking on official business trips or enjoying diplomatic immunity under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It contains 66 pages in total.

Service Passport 

This is issued to those going on official business on behalf of the Dutch government. However, unlike a diplomatic passport, this type of Dutch passport does not involve diplomatic immunity.

Emergency Passport 

This passport type is featured with a red cover. It is issued to those who are in urgent need of traveling abroad without a regular passport. It is usually stricter to apply than that for a regular one.

Alien’s Passport

This is issued to non-Dutch residents in Netherlands who can’t apply for a passport from their national government. It is featured with a green cover.

Laissez-Passer

It is used as an emergency travel document with a blue cover. There are 8 pages in total with handwritten information.

Cost of Netherlands Passport

The fees for Dutch passports are subject to where you apply for them, types and the applicants’ age. Please note that the fees are non-refundable even in the event of rejection. 

How to Apply for a Dutch Passport

The Netherlands passport could be applied for whether you are in the Netherlands or foreign countries and the process goes similar, but the cost and processing time vary. The application must be filed in person. Don’t ask other persons to do that on your behalf.

Required Documents for Dutch Passport Application

Before visiting the passport office, you should have the following documents prepared to make it go smoothly and reduce the chance of rejection.

● Proof of Dutch citizenship, such as a national ID card, citizenship documents

● A passport-style photo (See Dutch Passport Photo Requirement)

Apply for Dutch Passport in Netherlands

First of all, you need to make an appointment with the local municipal office. Click here to find the nearest one.

Then take all the documents with you and go to the municipal hall on the appointed day. You will fill in the application form and submit biometric information there. Only kids below 12 years old are exempt from recording fingerprints.

If you are applying for a passport for minors, make sure the kids are present at the office, too. Parents or legal guardians must fill in a form to indicate their permission to the application.

Finally, you just pay the fees and choose how to get your Dutch passport, either by mail or pick it up from the municipal office.

Apply for Dutch Passport Abroad

If you are a Dutch citizen living abroad, it is possible to apply for, renew or replace a Dutch passport even if you are not in the Netherlands. This could be done at the following places:

● Dutch embassies or consulates.

● Border municipalities in the Netherlands. They are Bergeijk, Bergen op Zoom, Breda, Echt-Susteren, Enschede, Maastricht, Montferland, Oldambt, Sluis, The Hague and Venlo.

● Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The process is similar to that of a domestic application, including making an appointment, going to the appointment, submitting application documents and fulfilling payment. However, it costs more to get a passport from the embassy or consulate. As it was made in the Netherlands, you have to wait for a longer time to receive it.

How to Take a Perfect Passport Photo?

The quality of a biometric photo influences the approval of your application. In order to ensure everything goes smoothly, it is necessary to learn more about Dutch passport photos.

Dutch Passport Photo Requirement

Photos for passports are featured with specific rules and regulations on dimensions, quality, background, posture, facial appearance, lighting and dress code.

● Size: 35 mm (width) x 45 mm (height).

● Width of the face: 16 mm and 20 mm (not including ears).

● Measurement from chin to top of head: 26 mm and 30 mm (for kids of 11 years old and above).

● Measurement from chin to top of head: 19 mm and 30 mm (for kids below 11).

● Head position: Keep the head centered within the frame, with 6.5mm of blank space over the head.

● The photo must not be a photocopy or reproduction version. resolution of 400 dpi.

● The photo must be clear, sharp, and stay focused. The photo must not be retouched by computer software; The lighting must be evenly spread on the person.

● The photo must not be over-exposed or under-exposed

● There must not be shadows on the person or the background.

● There must not be shiny accessories or makeup that reflect lights;

● Face forward and look at the camera. Don’t tilt the head or look around.

● Keep the shoulders straight, with shrugging.

● Background: pure light grey, light blue or white, no shades, patterns or stains.

● The glasses are acceptable as long as they don’t obscure your eyes, create flare or cast shadows on the face.

● Make sure the whole face is visible. Don’t let the hair or accessories cover any facial features.

● Keep a neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed.

● Religious headgear is allowed as long as it is in a plain pattern and pure color that contrasts with the background.

● For kids under 6, requirements are less strict. As for the position, they are not required to keep horizontally aligned eyes, non-tilting head, or straight shoulders. As for the facial expressions, “neutral expression” “looking straight at the camera” and “close mouth” are not mandatory.

● If the child is too young to sit or stand upright and needs to be held, don’t let the other person or any body part appear in the photo.

Use AiPassportPhotos to Ensure Compliance

Now you have learned about what a qualified photo should be. Then how can you make a perfect Netherlands passport photo? Continue reading to find the answer. Passport photo service is available in retail stores and photo studios. If there is none of it in the neighborhood, you can also take a shot at home. No matter which method you choose, it is important to ensure the compliance of your picture, and that’s AiPassportPhotos’ main function.

This online identity photo maker is committed to offering the most satisfactory shot with the simplest steps and shortest time. The whole process takes only a few seconds by going through the following steps:

● Visit the Netherlands Passport Photo Maker page.

● Click on the “Upload a photo” button to import the picture you have prepared. It could be taken in a physical store or at home. Don’t use selfies or life photos.

● The AI tool would automatically check the authority, crop size and replace the background, after which you would preview the results.

● If you are satisfied with the photo, click on the “get the photo now” button to download the digital template and print it out in a store.

FAQs:

Q: How long does it take to receive a Dutch Passport?

A: It takes 6 business days to make your new passport if you apply for it in the Netherlands, and it takes several weeks from abroad.

Q: How long does my Dutch passport remain valid?

A: It depends on the your passport type. Standard passports for adults have 10-year validity while that for minors have 5-year validity.

Q: When should I renew my passport?

A: It is not allowed to renew your passport after it expires. Otherwise, you have to go through the process of the first Dutch passport application from the very beginning. You are suggested to renew it a few months before expiration.

Q: What if I have my passport stolen or lost?

A: In this case, please call the police no matter where you are. Then replace your passport in an embassy overseas or the local municipality.

Q: Can I own dual citizenship and multiple passports in the Netherlands?

A: Generally speaking, becoming a Dutch citizen means renouncing other nationalities except for the following situations:

● Your spouse or registered partner is a Dutch national.

● You were born in the Netherlands and live in the Netherlands while you apply for naturalization.

● You are a minor and joining your parents’ naturalization or option procedure.

● You are granted asylum in the Netherlands.

● You are the citizen of a nation that does not permit you to renounce your current nationality. There are 23 countries of this type, including Greece, Iran, Morocco, etc.

Summary

The Dutch passport is known as one of the most multi-purpose passports around the world which allows travelers to move freely and live within EU countries and travel between certain countries without getting visas. If you are a Dutch citizen, the Netherlands would be a favorable cross-border traveling document. We hope this passage would help you learn about which passport types you need and the Dutch passport application method in Netherlands municipal offices or embassies overseas.

If you are a first-time applicant, make sure your passport photo meets the official requirements in case of being rejected. If you are not sure about photo compliance, you can turn to AiPassportPhotos.