An application for a visa for a business trip should be send to the Dutch Embassy abroad. In order to obtain a Schengen visa, an application that is as fully documented as possible must be submitted to the Dutch Embassy. The purpose of the trip must be clear and supported by documents. A business Schengen visa should have a business purpose with an economic interest for the Netherlands. Examples of approved economic interests are, according to the INS:

• consultation or training at a business unit based in the Netherlands
• purchase and sale of products, business transactions and offers
• attending a trade fair, congress or seminar
• participation in a cultural or sport event
• Diplomatic visit (diplomats)
• political visit
• traineeships or studies of less than ninety days

Please note that the visa itself does not entitle you to carry out short-term work at a subsidiary office or for a Dutch customer. However, certain activities, such as a business meeting, may be exempted from the requirement for a work permit. If you often travel to the Netherlands because of your work, ask the Dutch embassy whether you are eligible for the Orange Carpet visa programme. Especially employees of companies with (future) economic interests in the Netherlands can make use of the Orange Carpet visa programme. But for organisations (cultural, scientific, government) the same advantages may apply. The conditions for the Orange Carpet programme may differ per country and the embassy will decide whether you meet the local conditions.

Employees of companies admitted to the Orange Carpet visa programme can apply for visas by means of a simplified and faster procedure. In some cases, a mutipal entry visa can be issued for a maximum period of three years.

With the visa issued by the Dutch Embassy it is possible to travel not only to the Netherlands but also within the entire Schengen area. The Schengen area includes all the Member States of the European Union with the exception of Great Britain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

Another advantage of a multi-entry visa is that you, as a holder, can travel freely within the entire Schengen area and can also enter and leave the Schengen area several times. If you have an entry visa (single entry) and you leave the Schengen area before your visa expires, you will have to apply for a new visa if you want to re-enter the Schengen area, even if your old visa had not expired yet.

Conditions: In addition to a valid passport which is valid for at least three months after the visa applied for expired, proof of sufficient financial means must be provided as well. In addition, proof of how your stay will be financed must be provided, e.g. a statement that the institution will bear the costs of the stay.

• You must also submit documents that support the purpose of stay, for example an invitation or an admission letter.
• As indicated above, a work permit may be required for the work you wish to carry out. If this is the case, the embassy or consulate wants to see the permit.
• In addition, a (reservation of a) return ticket will also have to be handed over showing when you are going to leave the Schengen area again. It is advisable to show a reservation first and only book the return flight after the embassy has informed you that the visa will be issued. You will also need a travel insurance, which is valid for the entire duration of your stay.