Proof of sponsorship and/or lodging provision
You need a letter of invitation when you want to invite a family member or other relation from a country subject to the visa requirement for vacation and this person will be staying with you. The person who will apply for the visa to come to the Netherlands needs the invitation letter to substantiate his/her purpose of travel.
How does it work?
When is a letter of invitation required?
A foreign person who wants to come to the Netherlands for up to 3 months (e.g. for vacation) will need a visa, depending on their nationality. In support of the visa application, a letter of invitation is required in which you indicate why you have invited the foreign person to come to the Netherlands.
Which nationalities require a visa to come to the Netherlands can be seen in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overview of nationalities requiring a visa.
What should I do?
Complete the form "Proof of Sponsorship and/or Private Lodging from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can find it on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To sign and legalize the guarantee declaration, come to the municipality by appointment. Are you married or in a registered partnership, and are you going to be a financial guarantor? Then come together to the town hall.
Make an appointment Proof of sponsorship and/or lodging provision
The procedure after that is as follows:
- You sign the invitation letter at the counter.
- The counter clerk will legalize the signature you put under the invitation form.
- You pay the cost of legalization.
- You send the completed invitation letter to the person you want to come to the Netherlands. This person uses the invitation letter to support his/her visa application.
What do I need?
Always bring a valid ID or passport with you. The municipality needs your ID to legalize the signature you put on the invitation letter.
Costs
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Proof of guarantee e/o lodging provision | € 11,30 |
Price changes and typographical errors reserved.
How long does it take?
Requesting other documents
The person who will file the visa application sometimes needs other documents from you in addition to the invitation letter. Such as a sponsor declaration. A sponsor declaration is needed if the invited person has insufficient income to stay in the Netherlands. With a sponsor declaration you guarantee the stay of the invited person. If the Dutch government has to make costs for this person, they can be recovered from you. Ask the municipality where you can get a sponsor declaration and whether it is necessary.
More information can be found on the Immigration and Naturalization Service website.