Starting 2013, the Netherlands Embassy stopped issuing visas to Nigerians and other nationals in Nigeria. And the embassy has since delegated the duty to the French Consulate-General and the Embassy of Belgium.
While there are no official statements from the Netherlands Embassy on the reasons for this visa application policy, there are indications that the embassy intends to ease its visa processing through this system. It would interest to know that embassies around the world use the same method to smoothen visa processing. For instance, the French Embassy handle Lithuanian visa applications in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Netherlands Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Michel Deleen, asserted this policy when speaking to newsmen yesterday. He said, “Let me remind Nigerians that since 2013, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had signed agreements with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.”
Deleen hinted that interested applicants who want to study or work in the Netherlands must send their applications to the French Consulate-General or the Embassy of Belgium through VFS Global.
“Under these agreements, any Nigerian that wants to visit the Netherlands for business, study or tourism should always process their visa applications through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja. Anyone seeking visas to the Netherlands through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja, to always first apply through VFS Global.” Deleen advised.