Dutch Student Residence Permit
Your student residence permit from the IND (the Dutch immigration office) lets you live and study in the Netherlands. Learn how to collect your residence permit card (residence document), keep your permit and extend it.
NetherlandsDUTCH RESIDENCE DOCUMENT
Type: Student
ID#: Example
ID: Example
Status: Student
Example: Master's Programme
Example: Utrecht University
Example card. The permit lets you live in the Netherlands. The residence card proves it.
Keeping Your Student Permit
Your permit stays valid while you meet the rules for study. Your university, as your sponsor, tells the IND if you stop studying or get too few credits.
MVV or Residence Permit?
An entry visa sticker in your passport.
Valid for 90 days.
Lets you travel to the Netherlands.
Lets you live and study in the Netherlands.
Your residence card is the proof.
Valid for your study time plus 3 months.
Who Keeps Your Record
Your university is your recognised sponsor. It keeps records and tells the IND about your study progress.
Your Papers
Residence document
Your card from the IND. It shows you may live in the Netherlands for a set time.
MVV sticker
The entry visa in your passport. Valid for 90 days.
Work permit (TWV)
Your employer gets it for you if you take a job.
If You Break the Rules
What You Must Do
Stay enrolled full time
Your permit is for a full-time programme at a recognised sponsor.
Get enough credits
Each study year, at least 50% of the credits for that year.
Keep enough money
Each study year you fill in the IND form about your own income for your study.
Register with your city
If you stay more than 4 months, register with your city office (municipality). This puts you in the BRP (the city's list of residents).
Take the TB test
Take a tuberculosis (TB) test at the public health service (GGD), within 3 months after you get your residence permit.
Give correct information
As a student, you must tell the IND and your university about changes.
Permits for Students and Graduates
Students from India and Pakistan come on a student residence permit. After you graduate, you can ask for a 1-year permit to look for work (the orientation year, or zoekjaar).
Key Times
University applies
Step 1
IND decides
Up to 60 days
MVV sticker
Up to 10 working days
Collect your card
After arrival
Permit Types
Student residence permit
For full-time study at a university or university of applied sciences, including a preparatory year.
Key Requirements:
- A full-time programme that the Netherlands has approved (accredited).
- University is a recognised sponsor.
- Proof of enough money for 12 months.
- At least 50% of the credits each study year.
Orientation year (zoekjaar)
A 1-year permit to look for work or start a business after you graduate.
Key Requirements:
- A Dutch bachelor's or master's degree from an approved programme.
- You did not have an orientation year for the same study.
- Fee: 254 euros (EUR) for the application.
From Application to Card
University applies
Your university applies for your MVV (the entry visa sticker in your passport) and your permit together.
Duration: Step 1
IND decides
If your university is a recognised sponsor (a university the IND trusts to apply for its students) and the file is complete, the target is 2 weeks.
Duration: Up to 60 days
MVV sticker
Collect it at the Dutch embassy or consulate, then travel.
Duration: Up to 10 working days
Collect your card
Book a time at the IND office when your university gets the letter.
Duration: After arrival
Steps for Your Permit
How the student permit works, from application to extension.
Main Steps
Accept your place
Get proof of registration for a full-time programme.
Your university must be a recognised sponsor.
Send papers and money proof
Send your university its list of papers.
The bank paper must not be older than 3 months.
University applies
It applies for your MVV and permit at the same time.
The fee is EUR 254 for the application, paid through your university.
Collect your MVV
Get the sticker at the Dutch embassy or consulate.
Make your appointment within 3 months after the IND decision.
Collect your card
Book a time at the IND office named in the letter.
Bring your passport and appointment code.
Extending Your Permit
Check the date
You can apply to extend in the last 3 months before your permit ends.
University applies
For a student in higher education, only your recognised sponsor can apply to extend.
Do not leave a gap
Apply while your permit is valid. If there is a gap, you wait longer before you can get permanent residence (the right to stay for good).
After You Graduate
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student permit | Orientation year | A Dutch bachelor's or master's degree from an approved programme, finished in the 3 years before you apply | The IND decides within 90 days | You may work freely and do an internship; your employer needs no TWV. |
Papers for Your Permit
Your university gives you the list. These papers come up most.
Student residence permit
Passport
Valid, with at least 2 empty pages for the MVV sticker.
Proof of registration
From your Dutch university.
Money proof
Proof of money for 12 months (the amount the IND calls the study norm). The bank paper must not be older than 3 months.
Antecedents certificate
A form where you say if you have broken the law. Everyone over 12 fills it in.
IND desk appointment
Passport
Your valid passport.
Appointment code
In the email you get when you book online.
New residence document
Police report
A copy of your police statement with an original stamp that shows it matches the original.
How Long the IND Takes
Times the IND gives for students.
From Application to Card
Papers and money proof
Send your papers to your university.
Key Activities:
- Collect your university's list of papers.
- Get official stamps on your papers and translate them.
IND decides
The target is 2 weeks when the file is complete.
Key Activities:
- Your university gets the decision by letter.
MVV sticker
After you get the sticker, travel within 90 days.
Key Activities:
- Make your appointment within 3 months after the IND decision.
- India: at the Dutch embassy in New Delhi or the consulate-general in Bangalore or Mumbai; the IND letter says where. Pakistan: email [email protected] to book at the embassy in Islamabad.
Collect your card
Book a time at the IND office named in the letter.
Key Activities:
- Bring your passport and your appointment code.
- You must go and collect it yourself.
What Can Slow It Down
Missing papers
If the file is not complete, the IND can take longer than 60 days.
MVV appointments
Visit slots in India fill up fast. Book as soon as you can.
Decision Times
Fastest Cases
Typical Cases
Keep Your Permit Safe
Simple steps that keep your stay legal.
Good Habits
Watch your end date
Extend in the last 3 months before your permit ends.
Your university applies to extend. Tell it in time.
Get your credits
At least 50% of the credits each study year.
Your university checks this against Dutch law.
Fill in the income form
Each study year you complete it.
This is the IND form where you state your own income for study.
Mistakes to Avoid
Plan Ahead
Most problems come from missed dates. Keep your dates in one place.
Common Questions About the Dutch Residence Permit
Short answers for students from India and Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Pages
Need More Help?
Your university's international office knows your IND file. Ask it first.
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