Do i need a visa to travel to amsterdamn?

Question

i have a ghanian passport with a settlement visa for the uk.

Answer 1

Yes. Almost certainly unless there is something you have not stated. Do not take chances, but contact the Netherlands consulate.

You fall into a somewhat complex area because Ghana is one of a number of countries on which the Netherlands imposes more stringent restrictions. The settlement visa should make it easier for you to get travel documents, but it does not have the equivalency of a passport. Your situation will be more difficult if you have such a visa, but are not actually resident in the UK or employed there.

As a holder of a Ghanian passport, you would almost certainly require a visa for Netherlands whether you are passing through or staying a few days -- using the Ghana passport. EVEN IF YOU BECOME A BRITISH CITIZEN and hold a British passport, you would need a visa if traveling on a Ghana Passport.  That might change if you surrender your citizenship in Ghana, but that is a different question. But if you travel on a Ghanian passport you need a visa.

You would likely require a transit visa simply to change planes in Amsterdam, even if you never leave the airport or technically never set foot on Dutch soil (outside the control area). If you want to stay the usual up to 90 days, the probabability is that you will require the visa.

You will also definitely need a visa if you are traveling from a country outside the UK into Netherlands.

If you look at the list of countries for which Netherlands require more stringent rules, you will see they are countries that are more likely to generate political or economic refugees. Netherlands as a small country generally feel it being innundated by such refugees and innocents also pay the price. Too many have gotten off planes in Netherlands and sought to live there and there is a backlash.

If you are in the UK now and want to travel relatively freely in the European Union, you will like want to apply for a Schengen visa, especially if you do work that may require you to travel to that list of countries (check the sources whic provide solid information).

It is as sometimes happens possible to travel within the EU without being asked for either your passport or your ID or visa. That will not make your travel legal and you would be subject to detention if you do not have a necessary valid visa. Not to be unkind to you, the Netherlands has put considerable focus on undocumented aliens and you as a Ghanian will probably stand out more than a white American who does not require a visa, merely a valid passport. They enter the country and automatically get a stamp for 90 days. These rules are all somewhat subject to change in the day of higher security, not just because of host nation concerns, but their reaction to actions taken by other countries. If the US required the Dutch to have a visa, the Dutch would almost certainly require one in return.

If you read the section below on when you require a visa, you will see that your UK documents have limited or no validity in terms of visas to other countries.

There are two things you should do. First is to contact the Netherlands embassy in London and ask them what the visa requirements are. They could be modified as this is written. The Dutch are very efficient and will not make it difficult for you as a legimate traveler.

The second is to seek UK help in securing travel documents that will indicate your residency there and other relevant information. It could be that your call to the Netherlands will, if you ask, produce information in that area of where you should go and what you should do.

So long as you are on the Ghanian passport, the Ghanian consular office should also be able to provide you information about requirements that apply to you specifically as a Ghanian under your circumstances. I do not know how efficient the Ghanian consulates are. But entry rights and visa requirements flow from the countries you visit to the Ghanian government.

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to determine your precise situation and get papered properly. If you are officially a resident of the UK, it will ease your path.

For some, calling the airline or other conveyance can give you the needed information. Typically, they are supposed to bar you from travel if you do not have the needed documentation.

In this case, because you are Ghanian, I would not trust that, but would call and then go on schedule to the Netherlands embassy. Note they have specific hours and timetables for this.

I assume, perhaps wrongly, that you are of native Ghanian descent and dark skinned. With so many of African descent now in Europe, some think you might be overlooked. Those in restricted categories quite often stand out more than would be the case. Should you get into Netherlands without a proper visia and be caught, that could create problems for you.You would probably be asked to leave and you might have trouble in the future getting a visa. That could cause you employment problems until you secure a British passport.

Whatever you do, make certain that you have contacted the Netherlands embassy in London and be sure to get whatever documents they require. They may have questions about the reasons for your travel. An unsatisfactory answer could get you turned down because they may assume you plan to illegally immigrate.

Final note. If you are currently in Ghana, you may have a considerably harder time getting a visa than if you are in London (or the UK generally). There may be an assumption that you are residence shopping. You would probably be expected to justify your trip, family visit is usually fine if true.  And you will be required to show that you have either a return ticket or a ticket to another jurisdiction.

The transit visit, which only allows you to pass through the country but not stop is not too difficult. Getting permission to stay for a visit can take longer.

Don't take this too negatively. I'm sure based on your settlement status that you will have minimal trouble with the Netherlands embassy. But it's important to understand that the barriers are higher than for most. The same is true for Syrians and others on the list requiring visas.

You should not be surprised by this because Ghana requires visas of Netherlands citizens who wish to visit Ghana-and those visas can be quite expensive, which you can see from the sources. The Netherlands embassy will inform you of those charges. I'm not familiar with them, but consular affairs tend to be reciprocal. If fees in one direction are high that can be high in return in the other country. European countries tend to standardize charges though.

This will eventually et easier when you are settled in Britain and acquire citizenship or more permanent documentation.

Answer 2

Yes absolutely. You are not a EU national and so have no right of access into Europe.  You need to contact the Netherlands  embassy in London for information

http://www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/comingt...

citizens of Ghana need a visa even for visits of less than three months and even to transit through the Netherlands I am afraid.  You need to visit the embassy in person as they do not accept postal applications.

Answer 3

hmmm... i think that would probally sufice, but it probally better just to call the airport or whatever your trasportantion is ahead of time and check

Answer 4

Yupp  i think?

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

Anyone would require a visa to go to Amster...d**n ... it sounds damned and access should only be granted to those who want to risk it.