June 5, 2020 –
Location: The Netherlands
Event: Update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in the Netherlands.
(New) U.S. Consulate Operations: In response to the significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 will begin to gradually resume a limited number of routine U.S. citizen services while remaining in compliance with social distancing policies.
A limited number of routine passport appointments are available now via our online appointment system. Due to the limited space in our consular waiting areas, we will not be able to immediately meet all the demand for passport services. Wait times for an appointment may be lengthy, so please check your passport expiration dates and plan ahead. Please visit our website at https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ to schedule an appointment.
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 for an adult or a minor. 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 confirm travel within the next 7 calendar days.
Information regarding the resumption of limited Social Security services and other federal benefits will be forthcoming soon. Please monitor our website and future alerts and notices regarding our services.
Visa services and routine notarial services at the U.S. Consulate General remain suspended.
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 or call +(31) (0) 70 310 2209.
(New) Face Coverings Required for Consulate General Visitors: Effective June 8, all visitors to U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam will be required to wear a face covering. All visitors over the age of two will be required to bring a face covering to their appointment in order to receive services. 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) COVID-19 testing available: As of June 1, anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with a possible coronavirus infection, including loss of smell and taste, may call the national hotline and schedule an appointment to be tested by the municipal health service (GGD). Please call 0800-1202 and keep your Burger Service Number (BSN) ready. Please note that this test is only to establish whether you currently have the corona virus, not whether you may have had it previously. For more information please see: https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-covid-19
U.S. Travel Restrictions: On Thursday, March 11, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation suspending entry into the United States of aliens who were physically present in any of the 26 countries that make up the Schengen Area (including the Netherlands) within the 14 days preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.
Please note that U.S. citizens are not subject to the proclamation and the proclamation provides exceptions to the restrictions for lawful permanent residents of the United States. Exceptions also exist for certain family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents including; spouses, children (under the age of 21), parents (provided that his/her U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident child is unmarried and under the age of 21), and siblings (provided that both the sibling and the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident are unmarried and under the age of 21). For the full list of current Presidential Proclamations and the exceptions please visit
https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=AMS&appcode=1
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-visa-services-and-restrictions.html
Non-U.S. citizens who are the spouses or minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may still be able to travel to the United States IF they meet the criteria for an exception from the Presidential Proclamations outlined above. An eligible family member of a U.S. citizen or LPR who possesses a valid ESTA or valid visa does not need to reapply for a new ESTA or visa. They may travel to the U.S. for a temporary visit with their existing ESTA or visa and be prepared to demonstrate evidence of the qualifying relationship to airline and immigration personnel. This may include traveling with the original passports, birth certificates, and marriage certificates belonging to the U.S. citizen or LPR. Travelers should reach out to their airline in advance to ensure the documentation will be sufficient to be allowed to board the aircraft.
Eligible family members who believe they meet the criteria for urgent travel and require a non-immigrant U.S. visa should email us at AmsterdamCOVID19@state.gov.
For further information about the exceptions and the most current information regarding COVID-19, the Presidential Proclamations, and its impact on travel to the United States, visit www.coronavirus.gov, www.dhs.gov/coronavirus and www.whitehouse.gov/.
For questions about pending immigrant visa cases, please contact us at AmsterdamIV@state.gov
(Updated) Travel to the Netherlands: The Dutch government is strictly enforcing the EU travel restrictions banning all non-essential travel from outside the EU. The ban has been extended through June 15, 2020. U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (and other non-EU citizens and non-residents) are prohibited from entering the Netherlands except for those in certain categories of travelers including passengers transiting Amsterdam Schiphol airport. U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are permitted to transit Schiphol airport, remain airside, and continue onward to the United States. Passengers will not be permitted to exit the transit area and should have a confirmed onward flight to the U.S. prior to commencing travel. Exemptions to entry restrictions only exist for a very small group of travelers, and most U.S. citizens who do not hold Dutch citizenship and/or residency will not be allowed to enter the Netherlands. Although there exists an exemption for “compelling reasons to visit family,” the Dutch are strictly interpreting this as cases involving life or death, such as visiting a terminally ill family member or attendance at a funeral. A fact sheet outlining the Netherlands’ enforcement of EU travel restrictions and applicable exemptions to the ban is available at: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands
As of June 15, the Netherlands will begin accepting tourists from European countries where the health risks are similar to or lower than in the Netherlands. They must comply with all the measures and rules that apply here to combat the spread of coronavirus. Tourists must also reserve their holiday accommodation before they travel to the Netherlands. For the latest information visit https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/documents/frequently-asked-questions/holidays-to-the-netherlands-from-15-june-2020-list-of-countries.
Commercial Flights Available: International commercial flight options currently exist in the Netherlands. The schedule of available flights out of Schiphol airport remains fluid. Flights may not be daily, please check directly with the airlines for details. As of today, KLM maintains direct service to New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Delta maintains direct service to Detroit and Atlanta. United maintains service to Newark.
KLM and Delta provide step-by-step instructions on rebooking a flight or requesting a voucher for passengers whose travel plans have been impacted by the coronavirus: https://www.klm.com/travel/us_en/prepare_for_travel/up_to_date/flight_update/index.htm
https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-update-center/how-to-cancel-or-change-your-flight
Multiple airlines have implemented facial covering policies at airports and on their flights. Please check with your airline directly regarding the requirements prior to commencing travel.
Dutch Residency Permit Extensions: If your stay in the Netherlands will exceed the period authorized, contact the Dutch immigration service (IND) immediately for assistance. The Dutch government is aware that it may be more difficult to return to your home during this period and will work with you to extend your visa or residency permit if necessary. If your residency permit is expiring and you cannot leave the country, you should request an extension and IND will let you know if it is possible to extend your stay. If you are staying in the Netherlands on a short-stay visa and cannot leave the country, you can also apply for an extension. Please call the IND information line at 088 04 30430 and have your visa or residency number available during the call.
If you are in the Netherlands visa free, but your 90 days have expired, you cannot apply for an extension of that period. While the Dutch government will be less strict in enforcing penalties and removals at this time, they do expect you to try to return home as soon as possible. Please visit the IND Coronavirus FAQ page for more information: https://ind.nl/en/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
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.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
