Netherlands diplomatic mission in Kenya
Dutch Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya
Find the official address, telephone number and contact details of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi. Learn how to apply for a Dutch passport or identity card, arrange a consular appointment, apply for a visa and collect your documents in Kenya.
Contact
Dutch Embassy in Nairobi: Contact Details
95 Riverside Drive
Nairobi
Kenya
Important: the embassy’s consular counter is open by appointment only. Applications for Dutch passports and identity cards require online booking. Completed travel documents must be collected in person; postal or courier delivery is not available.
Location
Where Is the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi?
The Dutch Embassy is located in Block B of Keystone Park, 95 Riverside Drive, Nairobi, Kenya.
Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and a major diplomatic centre in East Africa. The embassy represents the Netherlands in Kenya and provides selected services for Dutch citizens and eligible foreign applicants.
Planning your visit
Use the complete visiting address when arranging transport. Check your appointment confirmation before travelling and allow sufficient time for local traffic and any security procedures.
Choosing the correct application location
The embassy handles Dutch passport and identity card applications and a range of consular services.
For ordinary short-stay Schengen visa applications, eligible applicants must use VFS Global in Nairobi rather than the embassy’s consular counter.
Before travelling: confirm your appointment and check the official public holiday closures. The embassy does not publish regular walk-in hours for consular applications.
Diplomatic representation
About the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi is the official diplomatic representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya.
The embassy maintains relations with the Kenyan authorities and represents Dutch interests in political, economic and international cooperation.
The Netherlands and Kenya cooperate in areas including international trade, agriculture, sustainable development and regional issues.
Consular assistance
The embassy provides consular services for Dutch citizens living in or visiting Kenya.
These services include applications for Dutch passports and identity cards, selected certificates, legalisation of certain documents, emergency travel assistance and nationality-related procedures.
Applicants with documents from other countries
Applicants holding official documents issued outside Kenya may need additional legalisation or authenticity checks.
For example, the Dutch passport application guidance for Kenya provides special instructions for documents issued by Somali authorities in Somalia or Somaliland.
Applicants should review the document requirements before booking, particularly when applying for a Dutch passport for the first time.
Consular services
Consular Services at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
Passports and ID Cards
Dutch citizens can apply for or renew a passport or identity card by booking an online appointment.
Nationality Procedures
Eligible naturalisation and option procedure applicants can request an appointment by email.
Certificates and Legalisations
The embassy handles selected statements, proof-of-life certificates and legalisation requests.
Emergency travel documents
If your Dutch passport or identity card has been lost or stolen and you urgently need to travel, you may be eligible for an emergency travel document.
Request an appointment by emailing nai-ca@minbuza.nl. Follow the instructions you receive about supporting documents and identification.
Naturalisation and the option procedure
Applicants seeking Dutch nationality through an eligible naturalisation or option procedure can request an appointment by email.
Check the legal requirements and prepare the necessary supporting documents before attending.
Signature legalisation
If you need your signature legalised, book an appointment online with the embassy.
Bring valid identification and the relevant document.
Legalisation of an identity document copy
The embassy also provides an online appointment procedure for legalising a copy of an identification document.
Confirm that the organisation requesting the copy accepts this form of legalisation.
Certificate of marital status
A statement concerning marital status can be requested by email at nai-ca@minbuza.nl.
You do not need an in-person appointment to submit the initial request.
Certificate of legal capacity to marry
You can request a certificate of legal capacity to marry by email.
The embassy will explain which evidence of identity and marital status is required.
Certificate of residence
A certificate of residence can also be requested by email without booking an initial counter appointment.
Proof-of-life certificate
If you need a proof-of-life certificate for a pension provider or another organisation, make an online appointment with the embassy.
Certificate of Dutch nationality
The procedure for obtaining a certificate of Dutch nationality depends on your personal circumstances.
Check the official NetherlandsWorldwide instructions to determine whether you are eligible and how to apply.
Basic civic integration examination abroad
Applicants wishing to take the basic civic integration examination abroad must arrange an appointment by email through nai-ca@minbuza.nl.
Caribbean Carpet Programme
Eligible organisations may submit a completed Caribbean Carpet Programme application form directly by email to the embassy.
Appointment methods differ: passports, identity cards, signature legalisation and proof-of-life certificates use online booking. Emergency documents, nationality procedures and the civic integration examination require an email appointment. Certain certificates can be requested directly by email.
Travel documents
Applying for a Dutch Passport or Identity Card in Kenya
Dutch citizens living in Kenya can apply for a new passport or identity card at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi.
1. Prepare Your Checklist
Create a personal document checklist through NetherlandsWorldwide and collect the required supporting documents.
2. Book Online
Reserve an appointment at the embassy. A passport and an identity card require separate appointments.
3. Attend in Person
Bring your printed checklist, completed and signed application form and all original supporting documents.
Proof of legal residence in Kenya
Applicants must demonstrate that they reside legally in Kenya.
According to the official guidance, acceptable evidence may include:
- A valid visa and its supporting documents.
- A valid residence permit.
- For applicants who also have Kenyan nationality, a valid Kenyan passport or identity card.
For a baby’s first Dutch passport or identity card, the birth certificate may be used as proof of legal residence.
Children recognised in Kenya
If you have legally acknowledged a child in Kenya and are applying for the child’s Dutch passport or identity card, additional evidence of parental responsibility may be required.
NetherlandsWorldwide specifically identifies either a statement from a Commissioner of Oaths or a parental responsibility agreement or order issued by a court.
The document must demonstrate parental authority and responsibility for the child until the age of 18.
Kenyan birth and marriage certificates
Birth and marriage certificates issued in Kenya must be legalised when required for the application.
Documents from other countries may be subject to different legalisation rules.
Special requirements for Somali documents
The official Kenya passport guidance states that only documents issued by Somali authorities in Somalia or Somaliland are accepted under the applicable procedure.
These documents are referred to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for an authenticity check, which may take six to nine months.
Applicants relying on Somali documents should therefore allow additional time.
Translation requirements
Documents written in Dutch, English, German or French can be submitted.
Documents in other languages must be translated by a sworn translator.
Applications for children
Children must attend their application appointment in person.
Parental or legal guardian consent may be required for passport applicants under 18 and identity card applicants under 12.
If a parent cannot attend, a signed consent form and a copy of the absent parent’s identification document may be necessary.
Existing passports and identity cards
Bring all Dutch and foreign passports and identity cards that you possess, including expired documents.
Ask the embassy whether you can retain your current travel document until the replacement is ready.
Receiving your new document
The embassy will email you when your document is ready and confirm when you can collect it.
New Dutch passports and identity cards cannot be sent by post or courier from Nairobi.
Important: both Dutch passports and identity cards must be collected in person. The embassy does not provide delivery of new travel documents.
Visas and residence
Applying for a Visa for the Netherlands in Kenya
Visa requirements depend on your nationality, residence status, travel document, purpose of travel and intended length of stay.
Short-stay Schengen visas
Eligible residents of Kenya who need a Schengen visa for the Netherlands can submit their application through VFS Global in Nairobi.
Ordinary Schengen visa applications are not made at the embassy’s consular counter.
1. Check Your Visa Requirements
Confirm whether a visa is required and whether the Netherlands is responsible for your application.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Complete the visa application form and gather the supporting evidence required for your journey.
3. Book with VFS Global
Reserve an appointment at the VFS Global application centre in Nairobi.
When can you apply?
A regular Schengen visa application can generally be submitted from six months before travel, or nine months for eligible seafarers.
Submit the application at least 15 calendar days before your planned departure and allow extra time for appointment availability.
Diplomatic passports
Applicants travelling on diplomatic passports may be able to arrange a visa appointment directly with the embassy.
Contact nai-ca@minbuza.nl for the relevant procedure.
MVV visa stickers
If the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has approved your residence application, you may need an MVV visa sticker.
You can apply at the embassy in Nairobi if your IND approval letter states that the sticker may be obtained in Kenya.
Make an online appointment and follow the instructions in the approval letter.
Caribbean visas
Applications for certain short-stay and long-stay Caribbean visas are handled through VFS Global in Kenya.
Airport transit visas
If you need an airport transit visa for a connection through a Dutch airport, the application is arranged through VFS Global.
Entry visas
If your Dutch residence permit has been lost, stolen or expired while you are in Kenya, you may need an entry visa to return to the Netherlands.
NetherlandsWorldwide directs eligible applicants to VFS Global for this procedure.
Orange Carpet Visa Programme
Eligible businesses and organisations can enquire about the Orange Carpet Visa Programme by emailing nai-orange@minbuza.nl.
Approved participants may be able to submit qualifying Schengen visa applications at VFS Global without an appointment, subject to the programme’s conditions and visiting hours.
Important: regular Schengen visas, Caribbean visas, airport transit visas and entry visas are normally handled through VFS Global. Eligible MVV visa sticker applications are processed through an embassy appointment.
Opening hours
Consular Opening Hours of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
NetherlandsWorldwide states that the embassy’s consular counter operates by appointment only.
There are no general walk-in hours published for new consular applications.
Appointments for consular services
The appointment time depends on the service you need and the availability shown by the booking system or confirmed by the embassy.
Do not visit the embassy without a confirmed appointment for a service that requires one.
Document collection
For completed passports and identity cards, the embassy sends an email specifying the collection date and time.
Follow the instructions in this message rather than assuming a general collection window.
Public holidays and embassy closures
The embassy closes on selected Dutch and Kenyan public holidays.
Its official 2026 calendar includes the following upcoming closures:
- 20 October – Mashujaa Day.
- 25 December – Christmas Day.
- 28–31 December – Embassy closure.
Check the official embassy website for changes or additional closure notices before travelling.
Important: the published consular opening arrangement is appointment-only. Document collection is organised individually through the embassy.
Appointments
How to Make an Appointment at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
Online Appointments
Book passports, identity cards, MVV visa stickers, signature legalisations and selected certificates online.
Email Appointments
Contact nai-ca@minbuza.nl for emergency documents, nationality procedures and the basic civic integration examination abroad.
Visa Centre Appointments
Use VFS Global for ordinary Schengen visas and other visa categories referred to the application centre.
Passport and ID card appointments
Prepare your personal documents checklist before booking. You need a separate appointment for each travel document application.
Certificates that can be requested by email
Certificates of marital status, legal capacity to marry and residence can be requested directly by email without an initial in-person appointment.
Certificates requiring online booking
Online appointments are available for proof-of-life certificates and certain legalisation services.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
After an online booking, you receive an email confirmation containing instructions to change or cancel the appointment.
For appointments arranged by email, contact the consular team directly.
Document collection
Collecting a Dutch Passport or ID Card in Nairobi
When your new Dutch passport or identity card is ready, the embassy will contact you by email.
The message specifies the date and time when you can collect your document.
Arrange collection during your application
NetherlandsWorldwide advises applicants to arrange document collection during the original application procedure.
Follow the collection arrangements confirmed by the embassy.
No passport or identity card delivery
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi does not send new Dutch passports or identity cards by post or courier.
Both document types must be collected personally from the embassy.
Returning your previous travel document
When collecting your new document, surrender your existing passport or identity card according to the embassy’s instructions.
If your old passport contains a valid visa or residence permit, inform the embassy before the document is invalidated.
Collection deadline
Your new passport or identity card must be collected within three months of notification. After that period, the document will be destroyed.
Check your new document
Check your name, place of birth and other personal details as soon as you receive the document.
If you discover an error, contact nai-ca@minbuza.nl and explain what needs to be corrected.
Important: do not travel to the embassy to collect a document without checking the date and time specified in the embassy’s email. Delivery is not available.
Before your visit
Preparing for a Visit to the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
Confirm Your Appointment
Check that your booking is for the correct consular service and location.
Prepare Original Documents
Bring your signed application, personal checklist, identification and any required legalisations or translations.
Check Closure Dates
Review the official holiday calendar and allow sufficient time to reach the embassy.
Consular fees
Official fees apply to passport and identity card applications, visa-related services, certificates and legalisations.
Check the current consular fee schedule and accepted payment methods before your appointment.
Special arrangements for child applications
Parents applying for a Dutch passport or identity card for a child may need to provide documents establishing parental responsibility.
When a child was acknowledged in Kenya, a Commissioner of Oaths statement or court-issued parental responsibility document may be necessary.
Emergency consular assistance
Dutch nationals requiring urgent consular help in Kenya can contact NetherlandsWorldwide, including outside embassy opening hours.
Emergency assistance: call +31 247 247 247, available 24 hours a day. WhatsApp support is available at +31 857 737 400. Do not send sensitive personal documents through WhatsApp. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.
Frequently asked questions
Dutch Embassy in Nairobi: FAQ
Where is the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi?
The embassy is located in Block B, Keystone Park, 95 Riverside Drive, Nairobi, Kenya.
What is the telephone number of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi?
You can call +254 20 428 8000. NetherlandsWorldwide can also be reached at +31 247 247 247.
What are the consular opening hours?
The embassy’s consular counter operates by appointment only. The available visiting time depends on your confirmed booking.
Can I apply for a Dutch passport or identity card in Nairobi?
Yes. Create your personal documents checklist and book an online appointment at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi.
How do I collect my new Dutch passport?
The embassy will send an email confirming the date and time for collection. Follow those instructions when visiting.
Can the embassy send my passport or identity card by courier?
No. New Dutch passports and identity cards cannot be sent from Nairobi. Both must be collected in person.
Where can I apply for a Schengen visa in Kenya?
Eligible applicants submit regular Schengen visa applications through VFS Global in Nairobi. Different arrangements may apply to diplomatic passport holders.
Can I apply for an MVV visa sticker at the embassy?
Yes, if your IND approval letter states that the sticker may be applied for in Kenya. Make an online appointment.
Are additional documents required for a child recognised in Kenya?
Yes, depending on the circumstances. Official guidance may require a Commissioner of Oaths statement or a court-issued parental responsibility agreement or order.
How can Dutch citizens obtain urgent consular assistance in Kenya?
Contact NetherlandsWorldwide on +31 247 247 247, available 24 hours a day. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.
Official information