Location: The Netherlands
Event: Update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in the Netherlands.
European Union (EU) Travel Restrictions: The Dutch government has been strictly enforcing the EU travel restrictions banning all non-essential travel from outside the EU. The ban went into effect on March 19, 2020, and has been extended until further notice. The list of countries whose travelers will be allowed to enter the EU will be reviewed every two weeks. On July 1, the EU non-essential travel ban was lifted for 14 countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay.
For the full text of the EU Council’s recommendation on the gradual lifting of temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU (including the criteria for deciding which third countries will be allowed), please visit https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/06/30/council-agrees-to-start-lifting-travel-restrictions-for-residents-of-some-third-countries/.
A fact sheet outlining the Netherlands’ enforcement of EU travel restrictions is available at: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands (Please note this link is still pending the update of the new EU restrictions that went into effect July 1).
As a result of the EU travel restrictions on non-essential travel, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are currently prohibited from entering the Netherlands except for those in certain categories of travelers including:
- EU citizens (including UK nationals) and members of their families;
- Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and their family members;
- Third-country nationals holding a residence card or a residence permit in accordance with Directive 2003/109/EC (LTR Directive);
- Third-country nationals who derive their right of residence from other European Directives or from the national law of a Member State;
- Holders of long-stay visas, including persons with temporary residence permits (MVV);
- Other persons with an essential function or need, including: health care workers, border workers, persons employed in the transportation of goods (where necessary), diplomats, military personnel, personnel of international and humanitarian organizations, persons who have compelling reasons to visit their families, transit passengers who wish to travel via the Netherlands to a third country, persons in need of international protection, and persons who are admitted for humanitarian reasons.
For additional information regarding the Netherlands’ entry and exit requirements and restrictions please visit the COVID-19 Information Page on our website.
U.S. Consulate Operations: In response to the significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with Department of State policy worldwide, the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam reduced staffing and suspended routine U.S. citizen and visa services. As local conditions improve and the Dutch government eases social distancing restrictions, we have begun to gradually resume a limited number of routine U.S. citizen services while remaining in compliance with social distancing policies. Please see below for details regarding the limited services available.
Social Security Services: On Thursday, July 23, the American Citizens Services Unit will provide Social Security services to individuals over the age of 12 who are submitting a first-time application for a Social Security Number (SSN). These services will be provided at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague. To comply with social distancing measures, services are available exclusively by appointment. Appointment slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule an appointment send an e-mail containing the name and date of birth of each person for whom service is requested to AmsterdamSSN@state.gov. Appointments must be requested by 12:00 p.m. on July 10.
If you reside in the Netherlands and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), what documents to present for Social Security service, or who needs to be physically present to receive service, you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Dublin, Ireland. Please visit their webpage for more information: https://ie.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/
The FBU in Dublin is reachable by email: FBU.Dublin@ssa.gov or through their online form. Please visit https://ie.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/contact-the-federal-benefits-unit/ for information on how to contact the FBU directly.
Passport Services: We received authorization to make a limited number of routine passport appointments available. To schedule an appointment please visit our website at https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/.
To help us provide passport services to as many people as possible, we ask you not to schedule more appointments than needed for your service and only book an appointment once you have all required documentation. If you arrive for your appointment unprepared and missing documents, you may be asked to reschedule. Please carefully review our website for the requirements.
Regular passport processing times are approximately 2-3 weeks. As passport printing centers are still operating with limited staff, there may be additional delays in receiving your new passport. If you visit the Consulate to renew your passport, your current passport will be cancelled. Therefore, if you have upcoming travel plans, and you still hold a passport with sufficient validity, please schedule the appointment after your travel. For travel within the Schengen zone, your passport must be valid for 3 months beyond the end of your stay.
For those with urgent travel needs, such as a life or death emergency, or travel within the next 7 calendar days, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam can assist with an emergency passport. To request an emergency passport appointment in Amsterdam, please send an email to AmsterdamUSC@state.gov with “EMERGENCY PASSPORT RENEWAL” in the subject line and details regarding the urgent need to travel. Please include a confirmed travel itinerary for the applicant to demonstrate travel within the next 7 calendar days.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): We are offering a limited number of CRBA appointments for those who have an urgent need to document a U.S. citizen child. If you have submitted the required paperwork and received a confirmation of receipt, we will reach out to schedule an appointment. We are only able to offer a limited number of appointments but will do our best to accommodate you as soon as possible. Should you have an emergency travel need please make us aware by e-mailing AmsterdamUSC@state.gov with “EMERGENCY CRBA” in the subject line, and include your confirmed travel itinerary with scheduled departure within the next 7 calendar days.
If you have not yet submitted your paperwork please consult our website for instructions https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/.
Other Consular Services: Routine notarial services, Certificates of Loss of Nationality (CLNs), and visa services at the U.S. Consulate General remain suspended until further notice.
Check out our COVID-19 FAQs for U.S. citizens for answers to the most common COVID-19 related questions. For all emergency American Citizens Services, please visit our website for additional information or contact us via email at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov.
Face Coverings Required for Consulate General Visitors: Effective June 8, all visitors over the age of two will be required to bring a face covering to their appointment to receive services at the U.S. Consulate General. The Consulate will not provide face coverings and you may be denied entry if you do not bring a covering with you. Please plan ahead. For more information on face coverings including how to make, wear, and wash your face covering visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
New Health Certificate Requirement for Departures at Schiphol Airport: Schiphol Airport is asking all departing passengers to complete a health certificate prior to arriving at the airport. More information regarding airport requirements and the link to the health certificate form are available at https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/lets-fly/. Also, visit the Schiphol Airport Coronavirus webpage for updated travel information and check with your airline to ensure you will be permitted to travel to Schiphol for transit onwards to the U.S. or other destinations.
U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents Returning to the United States from Europe: U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents will be permitted to return to the U.S. from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the European Schengen area. The Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring all passengers who have been in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Schengen area to travel through select airports where the U.S. government has implemented enhanced screening procedures. See the Department of State FAQs on the Presidential Proclamation on travel from Europe and DHS website for further details.
Actions to Take:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the Netherlands.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Call a general practitioner or the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) at 0800-1351 for guidance if you have flu-like symptoms.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance:
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
+(31) (0) 70 310 2209
AmsterdamUSC@state.gov
https://nl.usembassy.gov/
Department of State – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Netherlands Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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