Many expats who wish to live and work in the Netherlands for more than 90 days need to apply for a residence permit. The type of application you should submit depends on your nationality and your reason for moving to the Netherlands, such as family, studies, work, or other purposes.
This guide covers the various purposes for applying for a Dutch residence permit (verblijfsvergunning), the requirements, and the application procedure. Dutch immigration law can be complex, so it’s advisable to contact an immigration lawyer, especially for complicated cases.
Reasons to Apply for a Residence Permit
There are many reasons for seeking residence in the Netherlands. It’s important to choose the purpose that best fits your situation, as this influences which permit application you select and submit.
Purpose of Stay in the Netherlands
The main purposes for applying for residence in the Netherlands include:
- As a spouse, (unmarried) partner, or family member
- As an employee or self-employed individual
- As a highly skilled migrant or scientific researcher
- As a student at a university or higher education institution
- As a student at a secondary or vocational school
- As a graduate in an orientation year
- As part of an exchange or working holiday programme
- As an au pair
- As a Turkish national
- As a foreign investor
- As an entrepreneur on a startup visa
- As a refugee or asylum seeker
To find out which purpose best applies to your situation, check the IND.
Do I Need a Residence Permit in the Netherlands?
Whether you need a Dutch residence permit depends on your nationality and the length of your stay in the Netherlands.
EU, EEA, and Swiss Citizens
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not need a residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands, in line with the EC Treaty. Expats from these countries are not required to register with the IND. However, if they stay more than four months in the Netherlands, they need to register at their local municipality (gemeente).
Family Members of European Citizens
Under EU law, family members of EU/EEA and Swiss nationals living in the Netherlands can join them, even if they do not have European citizenship. This includes spouses and (unmarried) partners. In such situations, the family members may apply for verification against EU law to request a certificate of lawful residence if they meet the IND’s requirements for third-country nationals.
It’s important to note that this option does not apply to family members of Dutch nationals unless the Dutch national has lived in another EU country.
Short Stays: Dutch Residence Permit Not Necessary
A residence permit and short stay visa are not required if you are staying in the Netherlands for less than 90 days and your country of citizenship has a non-visa agreement with the Netherlands. See a list of nationalities that do or do not require a visa.
If you are coming to the Netherlands for less than 90 days and your country does not have a non-visa agreement with the Netherlands, you will need to apply for a short stay visa before you travel. You can apply for a short stay visa in person at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Longer Stays: Dutch Residence Permit Required
If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
Depending on circumstances and nationality, some internationals can apply for a residence permit directly at the IND after they arrive in the Netherlands. Others will need to apply for a residence permit and provisional residence permit (MVV) at the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of residence before they travel to the Netherlands.
What is an MVV?
The MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) is a provisional residence permit that allows you to enter the Netherlands as a potential resident rather than a tourist. Note that the MVV is not an official residence permit.
You or your sponsor can apply for the MVV and the residence permit simultaneously before you travel. This is known as the TEV procedure (Entry and Residence Procedure).
Do I Need an MVV?
You do not need to apply for an MVV if any of the following conditions apply:
- You currently have a valid residence permit for the Netherlands.
- You are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada, the USA, Monaco, or Vatican City.
- You are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
- You are a family member or (proven) partner of a citizen from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, even if you hold a different nationality.
- You currently hold a permanent residence permit from another EU country as a “Long-term resident-EC CE”.
- You or a family member have held a European Blue Card for 18 months in another EU country.
- Your situation fits other specific circumstances outlined by the IND that do not require an MVV.
Sponsorship for a Dutch Residence Permit
Sponsorship is required for most types of Dutch residence permits. Some forms of residence permits do not require sponsors, such as the orientation year for graduates or some working holiday programmes.
Who or What is a Sponsor?
- Employee, Researcher, or Highly Skilled Migrant: Your employer is your sponsor.
- Family Reasons: Your relative or partner in the Netherlands is your sponsor.
- Study: Your educational institution is your sponsor.
The IND and Dutch Residence Permits
All Dutch residence permit applications are processed by the IND (Dutch department of Immigration and Naturalisation).
- Applications in the Netherlands: Can be directly submitted to the IND.
- Applications from Abroad: Can be submitted at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or at the IND by your sponsor who is already in the Netherlands.
Requirements for a Residence Permit in the Netherlands
The requirements for a residence permit in the Netherlands vary greatly depending on your reason for applying and the specific application form you submit. For example, the application requirements for a highly skilled migrant are very different from those of a family member.
To find out which requirements apply to your specific circumstances, check the IND. Requirements are also stated on IND application forms.
Application Procedure for a Dutch Residence Permit
How to Apply for a Dutch Residence Permit Without an MVV
If you are exempt from the MVV, your sponsor can apply on your behalf for a residence permit while you are still abroad, mentioning your expected arrival date.
Alternatively, you or your sponsor can apply for your residence permit by post or in person at an IND Desk (by appointment) after you arrive in the Netherlands.
If you submit your application in the Netherlands, the IND will place a residence endorsement sticker (verblijfsaantekening) in your passport as proof that you can lawfully stay in the Netherlands while your application is being processed. The sticker also states if you can work or not.
How to Apply for a Dutch Residence Permit With an MVV (TEV Procedure)
If you are applying for an MVV and a residence permit at the same time, you can follow the TEV procedure before you come to the Netherlands.
If you have a sponsor in the Netherlands, they can start the application process on your behalf. You can also start the TEV procedure at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence
Rejection of a Dutch Residence Permit Application
If your application is rejected, the IND will send you a letter explaining the reasons for not issuing a residence permit or MVV. The letter will also detail how you can lodge an objection if applicable.
Additional Actions When You Arrive in the Netherlands
Depending on the requirements of your permit, you may need to complete a few additional actions:
Registration at the Town Hall
All internationals staying longer than three months in the Netherlands must register at their local municipality (gemeente) to be entered in the BRP (Personal Records Database).
Tuberculosis Test (tuberculose onderzoek)
Some individuals will be required to take a tuberculosis test (TB test) within three months of permit approval. You must make an appointment at your closest Municipal Health Service (GGD) for this test.
Integration Exams (inburgeringsexamen)
Certain individuals will need to integrate into Dutch society by taking exams such as the Civic Integration Exam (inburgeringsexamen) or the Dutch as a Second Language State Exams (Staatsexamens NT2). To prepare, they must attend courses on Dutch language and culture.
If this applies to you, you will receive a letter from DUO (the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science) outlining the requirements you need to fulfill and the time frame. For more information, visit the Integration in the Netherlands website.
Renewing a Residence Permit in the Netherlands
The maximum duration of a Dutch residence permit is five years. Typically, you or your sponsor will receive a notification letter (and extension application form) three months before your residency expires. If you do not receive this letter, contact the IND as soon as possible.
Can I Extend My Residence Permit?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to extend your residency if you meet the conditions for an extension or if you have changed your purpose of stay. It is crucial to resolve your residency status before your permit expires to avoid an illegal stay or potential entry ban.
Permanent Residence or Dutch Citizenship
If you have spent sufficient time in the Netherlands and meet the eligibility criteria, you may want to apply for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship.