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Consular News
May 15, 2014
Fingerprints
As of May 15th 2014, fingerprints from all 10 fingers will be collected from applicants who apply for a short stay Schengen visa. The biometrical data is saved in the Visa Information System (VIS), along with other application information. This will enable a smooth border control procedure and protect travelers from identity theft. As VIS contains all visa applications of the Schengen member states, it will enable each of the countries to exchange information on previous and current visa applications. Data is kept in VIS for 5 years. As a result, frequent travelers do not have to give finger scans every time they apply for a new visa. The 10 digit finger scans are neither required from children under the age of 12 nor from persons who cannot physically provide finger scans.
April 2, 2014
Public Information Films on Travel Documents
BPR agency has made two informative films concerning the application and use of a passport. The goal of the films is to inform citizens about the application process and how the passports are produced. The films also emphasize the importance of the use of a passport, answering questions such as: Why is it important to be able to identify yourself? What you can and cannot do with your document? Where the films refer to the municipality (‘gemeente’), this should be replaced by Civil Registry (“Census”) or the Cabinet of the Governor for Sint Maarten.
The films mention that a passport is, on average, ready to be collected 5 days after you have submitted your application. Because passports are made in the Netherlands and are then sent to Sint Maarten, it takes a little longer for your passport to be on Sint Maarten (on average 2-3 weeks). Ask your consular officer about it.
Public Information Films on Travel Documents
March 9, 2014
Validity passports
As of Sunday, March 9th, 2014, passports issued to persons 18 years of age and older will be valid for ten years instead of five years. Passports for persons under 18 years of age will continue to be valid for five years. Passport applications that were handed in before March 5th, 2014, will have the current validity of five years. In addition to the longer period of validity, passports will from now on require two instead of four fingerprints.
February 28, 2014
Visa Portugal
As of March 1st 2014, the Consular section of the Cabinet of the Governor will have the authorization for the issuing of Schengen Visas for Portugal, including Transit Visas through Portugal to further destinations. For more information you can contact the Consular section during walk-in consultation hours or telephone consultations.
Walk-in consultation hours: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Telephone consultations: Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
December 16, 2013
Visa Italy
As of January 2nd 2014, the Consular section of the Cabinet of the Governor will have the authorization for the issuing of Schengen Visas for Italy, including Transit Visas through Italy to further destinations. For more information you can contact the Consular section during walk-in consultation hours or telephone consultations.
Walk-in consultation hours: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Telephone consultations: Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
December 10, 2013
Holiday Season
Are you Dutch, living abroad and spending the festive days in The Netherlands? Then it is possible to re-new your travel document (passport) during your stay in The Netherlands.
You may submit an application at the Municipality Office desk of Haarlemmermeer, after first making an appointment via the website of the Haarlemmermeer Municipality (http://www.haarlemmermeer.nl/index.jsp). The Municipality Office desk is located in the Departure Hall 1 at Schiphol airport (across from KLM check-in desk) and is open seven days a week, from 7am to 10pm, including during festive days. On December 31st, the Municipality office desk is open from 7am to 8pm.
On the website you will find the necessary information on how the procedure works and which documents you are required to take with you. Attention: You can only pay with a credit card or debit card. If you submit an application for a passport or Dutch Identity card (NIK) at the Municipality Office desk in Schiphol you may have it/them delivered to the address where you will be during your stay in The Netherlands. Contact the Haarlemmermeer Municipality for further information.
You can also apply for a passport at the municipal office in The Hague, Enschede, Maastricht, Echt-Susteren, Oldambt, Bergen op Zoom or Montferland. An appointment will be necessary if you want to apply for a passport. Be sure to make allowances for waiting times and be there on time.
April 26, 2013
Schengen Visa for France including Transit Visa through France
As of May 1st 2013, the Consular department of the Cabinet of the Governor will have the authorization for the issuing of Schengen Visas for France including Transit Visas through France to further destinations.
For more information you can contact the Consular section during walk-in consultation hours or telephone consultations.
Walk-in consultation hours: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Telephone consultations: Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
January 9, 2012
Inclusion of children in passports abolished
With effect from 26 June 2012 it will no longer be possible to include children in Dutch passports, refugee travel documents or aliens travel documents. Existing inclusions will also lose their validity on that date. More information can be found in the information leaflet.
Abolishment inclusion of children in passports