🇰🇼 Kuwaiti citizens · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Tourist / Visitor
Netherlands tourist / visitor visa refusal rate for Kuwaiti citizens (2025)
Consulates of the Netherlands in Kuwait received 10,517 short-stay Schengen applications in 2025 and refused 855 of them — a 8.2% refusal rate, meaning roughly 92 in every 100 decided applications ended in a visa. That is up from 7% in 2024. The European Commission groups these figures by the country an application was lodged in rather than by passport, so they describe applicants applying from Kuwait. They are an aggregate outcome, not your personal odds: finances, ties, purpose and refusal history all move an individual case well above or below the average. On the money side: €55 per person per day. Dutch border officers work from €55 per person per day, applied flexibly against the planned duration, the reason for the visit and the applicant's personal circumstances. The estimator below weighs your own finances, ties, travel history and refusal record against that.
Last reviewed August 2026 per our editorial standards. Rate: European Commission — Schengen short-stay visa statistics for consulates (per Schengen state) . Rules: European Commission — Annex 25 of the Visa Code Practical Handbook: reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border, fixed by national authorities .
For Kuwaiti citizens applying, a tourist visa to the Netherlands is decided mainly on whether you are a genuine visitor who will return home on time. Public statistics point to an approximate base approval of around 95% for this route — but your own profile can move that figure a lot in either direction. Kuwaiti applicants generally see favourable outcomes with documented finances and ties. Kuwaiti nationals still need a US B1/B2 and a Schengen visa (the UK now uses an ETA, not a visitor visa).
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Your trip
The essentials. Pre-filled if you came from a specific page.
Key requirements
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure and issued within the last 10 years
- Completed application, photo, and biometrics
- Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000
- Round-trip itinerary and confirmed accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds; €90 visa fee (2026)
Visa fee (cost)
€90 per adult, €45 for children 6–12, free under 6 — plus a service fee (typically €30–45) where an external centre (VFS/TLS) handles the application.
Money & funds
€55 per person per day. Dutch border officers work from €55 per person per day, applied flexibly against the planned duration, the reason for the visit and the applicant's personal circumstances.
Typical timeline
Apply up to 6 months ahead and at least 15 days before travel; standard decisions take about 15 calendar days, occasionally up to 45.
Common refusal reasons
- Insufficient or unclear means of subsistence
- Doubt about the purpose or intent to leave
- Missing or insufficient travel medical insurance
- Unjustified or inconsistent itinerary
- Previous Schengen overstay or visa misuse
Where Kuwait sits in the official data
Two governments publish visa outcomes broken down by country. Neither predicts an individual decision, but together they show how Kuwaiti applicants fare relative to everyone else, and which of the destinations we cover currently refuses the fewest applications from Kuwait.
US visitor visas — FY2025
A 6.1% adjusted refusal rate places Kuwait 16th of 199 nationalities the State Department publishes — a lower refusal rate than 92% of them. The median nationality sits at 31.8%, so Kuwait is 25.7 points below it.
Schengen short-stay visas — 2025
Across all Schengen consulates in Kuwait, 5.7% of short-stay applications were not issued — 26th of 127 countries with a meaningful application volume, and 9.9 points below the 15.6% median.
| Destination | Refused | Issued | Decided |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2.7% | 97.3% | 35,503 |
| Italy | 3% | 97% | 23,772 |
| Germany | 5.1% | 94.9% | 22,644 |
| the Netherlandsthis page | 8.2% | 91.8% | 10,467 |
| Spain | 9% | 91% | 26,576 |
| Greece | 13% | 87% | 6,388 |
Among Schengen states, applications lodged in Kuwait were refused least often by France at 2.7% and most often by Greece at 13% — a gap of 10.3 points on a like-for-like basis. That gap reflects who applies where as much as how strictly each state decides, so it is a starting point for choosing a main destination, not a ranking of leniency. You must still apply to the state where you will spend the most nights.
Demand and outcome moved together for Kuwait between 2024 and 2025. Schengen consulates there decided 145,611 short-stay applications, against 169,477 the year before — down 14.1% — while the refusal rate went from 6.7% to 5.7%. That easing meant roughly 1,478 more applicants were issued a visa than 2024's rate would have produced.
Sources: U.S. Department of State — Adjusted Refusal Rate, B-Visas Only, by Nationality and European Commission — Schengen short-stay visa statistics for consulates . Schengen figures are grouped by the country an application was lodged in, not by passport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Netherlands tourist visa refusal rate for Kuwaiti citizens?
8.2% in 2025, against 7% in 2024 — meaning 91.8% of decided cases ended in a visa. Short-stay (type C) applications lodged in Kuwait at consulates of Netherlands and refused during 2025, as a share of those decided (issued plus refused) — the European Commission's own basis, which excludes applications still pending or withdrawn. Rows are grouped by where an application was lodged, so this describes people applying from Kuwait rather than passport holders. Your own case is assessed on its own evidence, so use the estimator on this page rather than the average.
Where does this Netherlands refusal-rate figure come from?
From European Commission — Schengen short-stay visa statistics for consulates (per Schengen state), covering 2025. We restate the published figure without adjustment and link the source file directly, so you can check it yourself.
What matters most for a Netherlands tourist visa?
Officers focus on whether you are a genuine visitor who will return home on time. In practice the single biggest lever is return intent, so make that part of your application as strong and well-documented as possible.
Does a previous visa refusal affect my chances?
Yes. A prior refusal weighs on new applications until its underlying reason is addressed. Find out exactly why you were refused, fix what caused it, and clearly show what is different this time.
Is this a guarantee of approval?
No. GetVisaOdds is an educational planning tool, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Only a consular or immigration officer can decide your application. We show approximate odds and the reasons behind them so you can prepare better.
Is my information private?
Completely. The estimate runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server or stored — there is no sign-up and nothing to leak.
How much is a Schengen visa in 2026?
€90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12, and free for under-6s — the same across all Schengen countries. Service centres (e.g. VFS) may add a service fee.
Which country do I apply to for a Schengen visa?
The country of your main destination (most nights), or your first point of entry if the trip is evenly split.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes. You need travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for the whole Schengen area and stay.
