Dutch Honorary Consulate in India
Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai
Find official contact information for the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai, India, including Honorary Consul Gopal Srinivasan, the office address in Abhiramapuram, telephone and email details, and guidance on Dutch passports, identity cards, visas and emergency consular assistance.
Contact
Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai – Contact Details
Greenways Towers
St. Mary’s Road, Abhiramapuram
Chennai 600018
Tamil Nadu
India
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
India
24-hour telephone availability
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Official Passport and ID Card Application Guide
Official Emergency Travel Document Procedure
Important: the honorary consul’s published email address is for non-consular enquiries only. The honorary consulate does not accept routine applications for Dutch passports, identity cards or Schengen visas. Use the appropriate NetherlandsWorldwide instructions for official consular services.
Location
Dutch Honorary Consulate Location in Chennai
The Netherlands maintains honorary consular representation in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
Chennai is a major centre for business, manufacturing, technology, education and international trade. It also has significant maritime connections through its port infrastructure.
The Dutch government’s official contact listing identifies the honorary consulate at:
No. 119, 2nd Floor
Greenways Towers
St. Mary’s Road, Abhiramapuram
Chennai 600018
Tamil Nadu
India
Visiting the Honorary Consulate
The office is located on the second floor of Greenways Towers in Abhiramapuram.
The individual government contact page does not publish regular public visiting hours.
Before travelling, contact the honorary consul by telephone or email and explain the purpose of your enquiry.
Confirm whether an appointment can be arranged and ask about any building access requirements.
Before visiting: confirm the current office address and meeting arrangements. A published address does not mean that passport applications, visa appointments or other formal government services are available at the honorary consulate.
Chennai and Southern India
Chennai is an important commercial and transport hub in southern India, with connections to domestic and international markets.
The region is known for sectors such as automotive manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, engineering and higher education.
Its ports and logistics networks also support international trade.
The Netherlands maintains a wider diplomatic and economic presence in India, including the Consulate-General in Bengaluru, which represents Tamil Nadu among other states and territories.
For updates to the honorary consul’s details, consult the official Dutch government contact page for Chennai.
About
About the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai
Mr Gopal Srinivasan is listed by the Dutch government as the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Chennai.
Honorary consuls are local representatives within the Dutch diplomatic network. They can help maintain relationships with businesses, authorities, institutions and communities.
The official Dutch government describes honorary consuls as important contacts for promoting trade and investment and assisting Dutch nationals abroad.
The honorary consul in Chennai complements the work of the Dutch Consulate-General in Bengaluru and the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi.
The honorary consul does not have the full authority or service capacity of an embassy or consulate-general.
Dutch-Indian Relations in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of India’s major manufacturing and industrial states, with extensive business activity in Chennai and other urban centres.
Dutch and Indian organisations may find common interests in technology, engineering, logistics, sustainable infrastructure and international trade.
The Netherlands has recognised expertise in water management, port operations, agricultural innovation and advanced manufacturing.
These capabilities can be relevant to potential partnerships with businesses and institutions operating in Tamil Nadu.
The honorary consul provides a local representative contact for suitable enquiries involving Dutch interests.
Manufacturing, Technology and Innovation
Chennai has an established industrial base, including automotive production, machinery, electronics and related services.
The city also has a substantial information technology and business-services sector.
Potential Dutch-Indian cooperation may involve industrial efficiency, engineering services, sustainable manufacturing and technology development.
Businesses considering partnerships should use appropriate commercial and government channels to confirm opportunities and available support.
Maritime Trade and Logistics
Chennai’s maritime connections contribute to its importance in international trade and transport.
Port infrastructure, cargo movement and industrial supply chains are relevant to the region’s economic development.
Dutch expertise in logistics, shipping, maritime engineering and sustainable port operations may provide opportunities for technical and commercial cooperation.
These possible areas of collaboration do not represent guaranteed services or programmes offered by the honorary consul.
Education, Research and Institutional Cooperation
Chennai is home to universities, research institutions and professional organisations with international connections.
Educational cooperation may include student exchanges, research partnerships, professional training and institutional projects.
Fields of potential shared interest include engineering, healthcare, environmental sciences, urban development and digital technologies.
Any specific cooperation or representative support should be confirmed through the relevant institutions or official Dutch contacts.
Historical and Cultural Connections
Southern India has a long history of maritime exchange with Europe, including the Netherlands.
Modern relations between India and the Netherlands involve trade, education, tourism, cultural exchanges and cooperation between independent institutions.
The honorary consulate provides a contemporary representative presence within this wider relationship.
Limits of Honorary Consular Services
Honorary consular representation is distinct from a full-service embassy or consulate-general.
Applications for Dutch passports, identity cards, Schengen visas and official certificates must follow the relevant authorised procedures.
For passport and identity card services in India, the Dutch government identifies application locations in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Consular Services
Dutch Passport, Identity Card and Visa Services in Chennai
The Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai does not offer regular passport or identity card application services and is not an authorised Schengen visa application centre.
Dutch nationals and visa applicants should use the official NetherlandsWorldwide procedures to find the appropriate application location.
Dutch Passport and ID Card Applications
Applications can be made by appointment at the Dutch embassy in New Delhi or the consulates-general in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Schengen Visa Applications
VFS Global operates an authorised Netherlands visa application centre in Chennai. This is separate from the honorary consulate.
Emergency Travel Documents
Emergency Dutch travel documents are handled by the embassy or an authorised consulate-general in India after the relevant documents have been reviewed.
Applying for a Dutch Passport or Identity Card in India
If you live in Chennai or elsewhere in Tamil Nadu and need a new Dutch passport or identity card, start with the official NetherlandsWorldwide application guide for India.
Create a personal document checklist for your particular situation.
Each application requires its own checklist, including applications involving children.
The checklist identifies the application form, identity documents, proof of residence and other supporting records needed.
Where Can You Apply?
NetherlandsWorldwide lists three regular Dutch passport and identity card application locations in India:
- Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi.
- Consulate-General of the Netherlands in Mumbai.
- Consulate-General of the Netherlands in Bengaluru (Bangalore).
Tamil Nadu is within the regional area represented by the Dutch Consulate-General in Bengaluru.
However, applicants should follow the official appointment instructions and may choose among the available application locations in India.
Eligible Dutch nationals living abroad may alternatively apply at a participating border municipality in the Netherlands.
Proof of Legal Residence in India
Applicants must provide acceptable evidence that they are legally resident in India.
The official India procedure identifies the following possible documents:
- A valid visa with the required supporting documents.
- A valid Indian residence permit.
- For applicants who also hold Indian nationality, a valid Indian passport or identity card.
For a child’s first Dutch passport or identity card, the child’s Indian birth certificate can be used as evidence of legal residence under the published conditions.
Indian birth certificates may record a chain of names rather than separately identifying given names and surnames. The names appearing on the child’s certificate can affect the names recorded on a Dutch travel document.
Parents should check this issue before preparing an application for a child.
Apostilles for Indian Birth and Marriage Certificates
Indian birth certificates and marriage certificates required for a Dutch passport or identity card application must be legalised with an apostille.
An apostille is used to authenticate certain public documents for international use.
Check the relevant Indian legalisation procedure before arranging an apostille.
Documents issued in another country may have different requirements.
Translation Requirements
Documents written in Dutch, English, German or French can be submitted without translation solely on account of their language.
Documents written in Tamil, Hindi or another language outside these four languages should be translated by a sworn translator.
Where an apostille is also required, make sure the original record and translation satisfy the relevant official conditions.
Applicants should prepare legalised and translated documents before travelling to their appointment.
Booking a Passport or Identity Card Appointment
After collecting all documents on your personal checklist, book an appointment through the official government booking instructions.
Separate appointments are required if you are applying for both a passport and an identity card.
Each applicant must attend in person, including children.
Confirm your appointment before arranging travel to Bengaluru, Mumbai or New Delhi.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Your personal checklist determines the exact requirements. Depending on the application, these may include:
- A completed, printed and signed passport or identity card application form.
- The printed personal document checklist.
- Current and expired Dutch and foreign passports and identity cards.
- Proof of legal residence in India.
- Birth, marriage or other civil-status certificates where required.
- Apostilles and sworn translations where applicable.
- Parental or guardian consent documents when required.
- A passport photograph meeting Dutch requirements.
Missing supporting documents may prevent the application from being accepted.
Applications for Children
Children must attend passport and identity card application appointments in person.
Consent rules may apply to passport applications for children under 18 and identity card applications for children under 12.
If a required parent or guardian cannot attend, a signed consent declaration and a dated, signed copy of that person’s passport or identity card may be necessary.
Follow the child’s individual document checklist for the applicable requirements.
Keeping Your Existing Passport During Processing
Applicants who need their existing passport or identity card while a replacement is being processed may be able to retain it temporarily.
If a replacement passport is delivered by courier, the previous passport must first be sent to the embassy or consulate-general before the new passport can be dispatched.
If your existing passport contains a valid visa or residence permit, inform the consular staff when submitting your application.
Collecting Your New Passport or Identity Card
The official India application procedure currently states that personal collection of a new Dutch passport or identity card is not possible.
Applicants must discuss the applicable delivery arrangements with the authorised application office.
You will receive a notification when the new document is ready.
New documents must be delivered or otherwise handled within three months after notification. After that, they will be destroyed.
DTDC Courier Delivery to Chennai
Eligible applicants in India can arrange delivery of a new Dutch passport using the DTDC courier service.
Before attending the appointment, check whether DTDC delivers to your intended address.
The official procedure currently publishes a courier fee of INR 850.
If delivery is available, DTDC will provide instructions for online payment and an airway bill number.
Applicants must complete the required disclaimer form, record the airway bill number and prepare the delivery envelope during the application appointment.
The courier service can be contacted at +91 97 1100 1980 during its published telephone service periods.
Postal or courier delivery of a new Dutch identity card is normally not possible. Applicants should confirm the available arrangements with the embassy or consulate-general.
Important: personal collection of a new passport or identity card is currently unavailable under the published India procedure. Passport delivery can be arranged through DTDC where eligible. A new Dutch identity card normally cannot be delivered by courier, so confirm the available procedure before applying.
Schengen Visa Applications in Chennai
NetherlandsWorldwide identifies Chennai as an authorised city for Netherlands Schengen visa applications through VFS Global.
The VFS Global application centre operates separately from the honorary consulate.
Before applying, check whether you need a visa and whether the Netherlands is the correct country for your application.
Use the official Schengen visa application guide for India to prepare the required documents and book an appointment.
Most applications can be submitted up to six months before travel. The Dutch government recommends applying at least 15 days before the intended journey.
Applicants generally need to attend their VFS Global appointment in person, including children.
The honorary consul cannot issue a Schengen visa or replace the VFS Global application procedure.
Appointments
Appointments and Emergency Consular Assistance in Chennai
For local representative or non-consular enquiries, contact Honorary Consul Gopal Srinivasan using the official telephone number or email address.
Confirm any proposed visit before travelling to the office in Abhiramapuram.
Honorary Consul Enquiries
Use the official contact page for suitable representative, commercial or institutional enquiries.
Passport and ID Card Appointments
Prepare your personal checklist and arrange an authorised appointment in Bengaluru, Mumbai or New Delhi.
Emergency Travel Documents
Follow the official emergency procedure if a Dutch passport or identity card is lost or stolen and urgent travel is required.
Lost or Stolen Dutch Passport in Chennai
If your Dutch passport or identity card is lost or stolen while staying in Chennai or elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, determine whether you need an emergency travel document.
Contact your airline or transport provider to confirm which documents will be accepted for your planned journey.
If an emergency document is necessary, follow the NetherlandsWorldwide procedure for India.
Preparing an Emergency Travel Document Application
The official government procedure identifies the following documents:
- A completed, printed and signed passport application form.
- A completed and signed declaration concerning a missing travel document or Dutch identity card (C2 form).
- Evidence that the planned journey cannot be postponed.
- A photograph or scan of the lost or stolen passport or identity card, if available.
- Other available identity documents or copies.
- Two passport photographs that meet Dutch requirements.
- Parental or guardian consent documents for applicants under 18, where required.
If you do not have a copy of the missing document, provide the identifying information requested by the responsible embassy or consulate-general.
Contacting an Authorised Dutch Consular Office
Emergency travel document applications in India are handled by the embassy or an authorised Dutch consulate-general.
The official contact addresses are:
- Consulate-General in Bengaluru: bgl-ca@minbuza.nl
- Embassy in New Delhi: nde-ca@minbuza.nl
- Consulate-General in Mumbai: bom-ca@minbuza.nl
Send all required documents together in a single email to the appropriate office.
Include your current location, a telephone number where you can be reached and your exact travel itinerary.
Attach documents directly to the email. The Dutch consular offices cannot open external cloud-storage links for this procedure.
The responsible office normally responds within three business days after reviewing the documents. Additional information may be requested.
Emergency document applications are not processed during weekend office closures.
Emergency Travel Document Appointment
The embassy or consulate-general will tell you when and where you must attend in person.
The responsible authority decides whether a laissez-passer or passport is appropriate for your journey.
Applicants cannot choose the type of emergency travel document themselves.
Under the published procedure, a laissez-passer is usually ready within three business days, while a passport is usually ready within ten business days.
These processing periods are indicative and cannot be guaranteed.
Indian Exit Visa After Losing a Passport
If your lost passport contained an Indian visa or residence permit, you may need an exit visa to leave India.
After receiving your emergency Dutch travel document, contact the Indian Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to confirm and complete the required procedure.
Do not assume that a new Dutch travel document automatically replaces the Indian immigration permission contained in the missing passport.
What Happens if the Passport Is Found?
A Dutch passport or identity card officially reported lost or stolen becomes invalid.
It cannot be used for travel even if it is subsequently recovered.
Urgent consular assistance: contact NetherlandsWorldwide at +31 247 247 247, available 24 hours a day. For emergency travel documents, contact the authorised Dutch embassy or consulate-general and follow its instructions.
Local Representation
Dutch Honorary Consular Representation in Chennai and Tamil Nadu
The Dutch government officially lists Chennai as a location of honorary consular representation in India.
The honorary consul provides a local representative contact in Tamil Nadu and forms part of the wider Dutch diplomatic and economic network.
Chennai
The officially listed location of Honorary Consul Gopal Srinivasan and the capital of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu
The Indian state containing Chennai, with significant manufacturing, technology, education, maritime and commercial activities.
Consulate-General in Bengaluru
The regional Dutch consulate-general representing Tamil Nadu and other southern Indian states and territories.
Geographic Responsibility
The official individual listing identifies Chennai as the honorary consul’s location.
It does not provide a complete formal consular district for the honorary consul.
Separately, the Dutch government identifies Tamil Nadu as part of the area represented by the Consulate-General in Bengaluru.
This regional responsibility of the consulate-general should not automatically be interpreted as an identical formal district assigned to the honorary consul.
Division of Responsibilities
The honorary consul provides suitable local representation and may help maintain economic and institutional relationships.
The Consulate-General in Bengaluru is part of the Dutch network responsible for formal consular services in southern India.
The embassy in New Delhi and the consulates-general in Bengaluru and Mumbai are authorised locations for Dutch passport and identity card applications.
Schengen visa applications in Chennai follow the separate VFS Global procedure.
Before You Visit
What to Know Before Contacting the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai
Confirm Your Meeting
Contact the honorary consul before visiting Greenways Towers on St. Mary’s Road. Fixed public visiting hours have not been confirmed.
Choose the Correct Consular Office
Dutch passport and identity card applications are handled by authorised offices, including the Consulate-General in Bengaluru.
Check Visa Appointment Arrangements
Netherlands Schengen visa applications in Chennai are handled through VFS Global, not through the honorary consulate.
For Dutch Residents of Chennai
If you need a new Dutch passport or identity card, prepare the personal document checklist and arrange an appointment at an authorised location.
Check requirements for Indian legal residence evidence, apostilles and sworn translations.
Confirm DTDC courier eligibility and any identity card arrangements before attending your appointment.
For Business and Institutional Enquiries
Use the published honorary consul telephone number or email address to explain the purpose of your enquiry.
Any meeting, introduction or other assistance should be confirmed before making arrangements.
For Visa Applicants
Do not arrive at the honorary consulate expecting to submit a Netherlands Schengen visa application.
Use NetherlandsWorldwide to prepare your documents and book an appointment with VFS Global in Chennai or another authorised location.
For Dutch Travellers
Keep secure copies of essential identity documents and your travel itinerary in case a passport is lost or stolen.
If an immediate medical, police or safety emergency occurs, contact the appropriate Indian emergency services.
For urgent Dutch consular assistance, contact NetherlandsWorldwide or the responsible Dutch consular office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai – FAQ
Is there a Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai?
Yes. The Dutch government officially lists an honorary consul in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Who is the Dutch Honorary Consul in Chennai?
Mr Gopal Srinivasan is the honorary consul named on the official Dutch government website.
What is the address of the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai?
The official address is No. 119, 2nd Floor, Greenways Towers, St. Mary’s Road, Abhiramapuram, Chennai 600018, Tamil Nadu, India. Contact the honorary consul before visiting.
What is the telephone number of the honorary consulate?
The officially published telephone number is +91 44 42954800.
What is the email address of the Dutch Honorary Consulate in Chennai?
The official contact page publishes consulchennai.netherlands@gmail.com for non-consular enquiries only.
What are the opening hours of the honorary consulate?
Regular public opening hours are not published on the individual government contact page. Contact the honorary consul to confirm meeting arrangements.
Which Dutch consulate-general represents Tamil Nadu?
The Consulate-General of the Netherlands in Bengaluru represents Tamil Nadu as part of its regional area. The honorary consul in Chennai provides separate local representation.
Can I renew my Dutch passport or identity card at the honorary consulate?
No. You can submit a Dutch passport or identity card application by appointment at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulates-general in Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Can I apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa in Chennai?
Yes. VFS Global operates an authorised Netherlands visa application centre in Chennai. It is separate from the honorary consulate. Follow the official application guide for India.
What should I do if my Dutch passport is lost or stolen in Chennai?
Follow the official emergency travel document procedure. Contact an authorised Dutch embassy or consulate-general, such as Bengaluru at bgl-ca@minbuza.nl. If your missing passport contained an Indian visa or residence permit, you may also need an Indian exit visa.