For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
Find answers to issues concerning MyInfo, the IND, the municipality and the extension procedure.

1. Types of permits

  • MVV + VVR

    Non-EU students need to apply for an MVV entry visa and a VVR residence permit.
    Please read the steps carefully on our website to know what you need to do.

    Exceptions:

    • Nationalities from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Monaco, Vatican City, USA, or South Korea.
    • You don’t need an MVV entry visa, but only need to apply for a VVR residence permit, if you have a Schengen residence permit that is valid until at least the start of the academic year/semester (1 September or 1 February).
  • VVR only

    Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Monaco, Vatican City, USA, or South Korea can apply for a VVR residence permit and don’t need an MVV entry visa for the Netherlands.
    Please note that if you are in possession of a valid Schengen residence permit that is valid until at least the start of the academic year/semester (1 September or 1 February) you are allowed to apply for a VVR residence permit without having to apply for an MVV entry visa as well.

    Please read the steps carefully on our website to know what you need to do.

  • Change residence purpose to ‘study’

    If you already have a Dutch residence permit for another purpose (orientation year, employment, stay with a family member, au pair, etc.) and you need to change it to a residence permit for study, the UvA Immigration team will submit a so-called ‘Change of the purpose of stay’ application to the IND on your behalf.

    Please read the steps carefully on our website to know what you need to do.

  • Own Dutch residence permit with another purpose than ‘study’

    You will not need an extra permit for the purpose of 'study' if you already have a valid Dutch residence permit that we have had the chance to review. Please note that your current permit needs to be valid until at least the start of your study programme.

    If at any point during your degree programme your personal situation changes and you would like to change the purpose of your permit to ‘study’, please send us an email through our contact page so that we can send you an invitation to apply.

  • Switch from another educational institution in the Netherlands

    If you have a residence permit (VVR) for the purpose of study in the Netherlands at a different Dutch educational institution than the UvA, and you are going to start a study programme at the UvA, you will need to apply for a transfer of your residence permit (VVR).
    We will need to send a new application to the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) to advise them of your transfer. This is the so-called ‘Change of educational institution’ application.

    It is important to make sure you remain enrolled and that your current educational institution is still you sponsor until your application through us has been approved by the IND. Otherwise your permit application will be revoked by the IND before we can request the change of sponsor. This means that the current expiration date of your permit will remain the same and that you will therefore not receive a new residence permit card, even though the UvA will have become your legal sponsor.

    Please note that when you will have to extend your permit, you will be able to do so through our website from 3 months before its expiry date. You will then receive a new residence permit card from the IND.

  • Switch from another educational institution in the Netherlands and extension current permit

    If you have a residence permit (VVR) for the purpose of study in the Netherlands at a different Dutch educational institution than the UvA, and you are going to start a study programme at the UvA, you will need to apply for a transfer of your residence permit (VVR).
    We will need to send a new application to the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) to advise them of your transfer. This is the so-called ‘Change of educational institution’ application.

    It is important to make sure you remain enrolled and that your current educational institution is still you sponsor until your application through us approved by the IND. Otherwise your permit application will be revoked by the IND before we can request the change of sponsor.

    Please note that we will request an extension of your residence permit at the IND at the same time as that we will request a switch of educational institution if your current residence permit expires within 3 months of the start of your study programme.

  • Working Holiday Scheme (WHS)

    A Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) is a cultural exchange programme and is meant for students who would like to study in the Netherlands for a shorter period of time.
    The UvA will provide students with the necessary application forms but it is the responsibility of the student to apply for the WHS directly at the IND. Please visit the IND-website for more information.

  • Extension current residence permit

    If you have a residence permit for the purpose of study, with the UvA as your sponsor, you can submit an extension within 3 months of its expiration date.
    Please note that you will not be automatically invited to this process and will need to start the application yourself through our website. All required documents are mentioned on the page.

  • Orientation year permit

    Students who have obtained a degree in the Netherlands can choose to apply for an orientation year residence permit after graduation.

    The orientation year residence permit allows you to stay in the Netherlands for one year after graduation to look for a job and/or to study. Check the IND website for the conditions and more information on applying for the orientation residence permit. Please note that you have to apply for this permit directly at the IND and not through the UvA.

    You will have to wait until you have received either your degree certificate or have your faculty fill out the IND's completion of study form which can be found on the IND website.

  • Intra EU-mobility

    If you already actively study at another university in Europe and if you have a residence permit for that country with the purpose of study, then in some cases you can follow a part of your studies in the Netherlands within the context of intra EU-mobility. This application is free of charge.
    Please note that you will have to apply for it yourself directly at the IND. You can check the requirements on the IND website of Intra-EU mobility.

2. Deadlines

  • Details and deadlines overview

    When at least conditionally admitted to your study programme, it is important that you reply to the invitation to apply for a residence permit before your deadline. Please note, however, that your application dossier doesn’t need to be complete yet by that deadline date, although it is preferable of course, but that we do need to have it in our system on time so that we can start reviewing it. Please do not delay submitting your application because you are missing an item or think it is incomplete. We will let you know what is still required through our review. You will have met the deadline from the moment we have your dossier in our system, even if it is incomplete.

3. Practicalities

  • May I start my residence permit application before the moment I receive the invitation?

    No, you cannot start your application before we send you the invitation mail. The IND does not allow  educational institutions to send in applications earlier than three months prior to the start of a student’s degree programme.

  • I haven’t received my residence permit application yet. When can I expect to receive it?

    We start sending the invitation mails to start the application three months prior to the start of each semester. If you haven’t received it in that period of time, please contact your admissions department to see whether they have forwarded your details to the Immigration team. Please note that we will start sending invitations to MVV students at the beginning of May and to VVR students at the end of May.

  • Why is my passport not being accepted when I upload it into MyInfo?

    For us to be able to send your application to the IND, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the start of your programme. If your passport expires within the next 6 months, we advise you to start an extension application through your home country. Once your new passport is approved, you will be able to upload it to your application in MyInfo. Please note that your passport scan should be in PDF-format and not exceed 20MB.

  • Can a parent or other relative supply a proof of financial means?

    Yes, a sponsor can be a relative, partner or friend. It doesn’t matter what your relationship is with your sponsor but it should always be a person who can legally fulfil the obligations acquired and not a company.

    You can check on our website what the required documents are to show a financial proof with a sponsorship. The documents need to meet the requirements stated on the website.

  • What criteria does a bank statement have to meet?

    A bank statement, either from yourself or a sponsor, should meet certain requirements. Please visit our website for a detailed overview of the IND’s criteria for submitting a correct bank statement.

  • Can I collect my entry visa outside my home country?

    Yes, although you must reside and be registered for at least 3 months in the country in which you wish to collect your MVV.

  • Can I change the location where I pick up my MVV (entry visa)?

    This is only possible in very exceptional situations and not because it would be easier to collect at another location (a holiday trip to another country is not a valid reason, for example). You will have to contact the Dutch embassy or consulate that you initially chose as MVV pick-up location in your application as well as the new Dutch embassy or consulate where you want to collect your MVV and arrange with both parties to collect your MVV at the new location.

    You can find the contact details of all Dutch embassies and consulates on this website.

    Chinese students can change their MVV pick-up location directly through this link.
     

  • There is no Dutch embassy in my home country. What can I do?

    If there is no Dutch embassy in your home country, please find the one closest to you by using this link to the Dutch government’s embassy website.

  • Is there a deadline to collect my MVV and for how long can I use it to travel to the Netherlands?

    Once your MVV (entry visa) has been approved by the IND, along with your residence permit, you have 90 days to collect your MVV at the Dutch embassy you chose in your application. From that moment on you have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.

    If your MVV expires before you have travelled to the Netherlands, you will lose your right to residency and will have to apply for an MVV + VVR again.

  • Can I travel more than once to the Netherlands and the Schengen countries with my MVV (entry visa)?

    Yes, an MVV (entry visa) is a multiple-entry visa that allows you to travel to the Netherlands and the Schengen countries from outside the Schengen area more than once as long as your MVV (entry visa) is valid (90 days).

  • Does my residence permit allow me to travel to and within the Schengen area?

    Yes, once you have collected your residence permit card, you are allowed to travel with it to and within the Schengen area for every time a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days.

  • Do I have to register at the municipality?

    As an international student, you must register as a resident if you plan to stay in the Netherlands for longer than four months. You have to register at the municipality of the town where you are going to live. If you fail to do so, you can risk losing your residence permit.

    It is only possible to register in person and only on or after the start date of your rental contract, not before this date.

    The municipality of Amsterdam organises special registration day for students so that they can register without making an appointment. You can check the dates on the Upon arrival website.

  • What do I need to bring to register at the municipality?

    Please visit our webpage with information on how to register at a Dutch municipality. If not visible yet, please note that this page will be updated once every semester with the information on which documents to bring to your registration at the municipality.

  • Do I need to register with the municipality within 5 days of my arrival?

    Please note that the information below is the standard procedure for registering in Amsterdam. This September, however, the municipality of Amsterdam will organise special registration days for international students to register. For more information, please visit our Upon Arrival page.

    No, you do not have to. However, and only if the special registration days for students have passed, you do need to make an appointment to register at the municipality within 5 days of your arrival in the Netherlands. Please note that, by law, you are required to have registered at the municipality within 3 months of your arrival in Amsterdam.

  • Do I need to collect my residence permit at the IND or register at the municipality first?

    Please follow the steps as shown on the Checklist on our Upon Arrival page.

  • What is a BSN number?

    Once you've registered at the municipality, you'll be given a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN).  This is a unique personal number allocated to everyone who is registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) from the Netherlands.

    A BSN is similar to a social security or tax identifier number in other countries and is required for many things in the Netherlands, including opening a bank account, visiting a doctor or getting hospital treatment.

    If you leave the Netherlands and deregister at the municipality, your details will be entered into the Non-residents Records Database (RNI). The RNI is part of the BRP. Therefore, if at any moment you return to live in the Netherlands, you will have the same citizen service number/BSN.

  • Where can I collect my residence permit card?

    Please note that the information below is the regular procedure for collecting a residence permit in Amsterdam. For students who are starting/returning to their studies in September, however, the IND will organize special residence permit collection days in Utrecht. For more information, please visit our Upon Arrival page.

    You can collect your residence permit card at the IND desk in Amsterdam approximately 3 weeks after submitting your biometric details, which you provided either at the embassy when you collected your MVV or at the IND-desk in Amsterdam. For more information, please visit our Upon arrival website.

  • My residence permit is lost or stolen. What can I do?

    If your residence permit card has been lost or stolen, you can apply directly through the IND for a new residence permit. You can read about all the necessary details on the IND-website.

    You will first need to make sure you have a copy of a police report before you can start the process with the IND.

  • My partner needs a residence permit as well. Can the university arrange that for us?

    Unfortunately not, we can only assist UvA students (and in some cases, their children) with their application for a Dutch residence permit.

  • My child needs a residence permit as well. Can the university arrange that as well?

    Yes, we can assist with the residence permit application of your child if you are a UvA student, but only when just your child comes with you to the Netherlands. Please let us know if you need us to assist you with applying for a residence permit for your child. If you are moving to the Netherlands with both your child and your partner, you will need to apply for their permits through the IND yourself.

  • What does Study Progress Monitoring (SPM) mean?

    One of the criteria students must meet while holding a residence permit for study is sufficient study progress. Sufficient study progress means that you must obtain at least 50% of the required ECTS credits each academic year. As this is a strict annual requirement, the UvA Immigration Office will check your progress three times a year, in March, June, and July. If you have not obtained sufficient ECTS by 31 August, the Immigration Office will inform the IND.

    Please note that in addition to reaching the minimum amount of credits, students are also required to be actively studying. This means that a student with a study permit must be following courses, attending lectures, and taking exams.

    If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the UvA Immigration Office.

    For more information of this process on this page.

  • When will I receive an invitation to extend my permit?

    You will need to start the application for an extension yourself. The UvA Immigration team does not automatically invite you for this process. You can find more information on the Extension page.

  • Do I need to submit my biometrics again when extending my permit?

    This depends. To check your personal situation, we recommend visiting the MyIND website as it will be shown there whether or not your biometrics are needed again

4. Health insurance

5. Work and internships

  • Am I allowed to work next to my studies?

    Yes, you are allowed to work next to your studies, but please bear in mind that there are strict rules for working to abide to for students from non-EU/EEA countries. The number of hours you are allowed to work in the Netherlands is restricted and you will need a work permit, that your employer or employment agency will need to apply for you on your behalf, if you want to work.

    You can find more information about work and internships during your studies at our website.

  • How many hours can I work?

    The number of hours you are allowed to work in the Netherlands is restricted. Every calendar year, you must choose between part-time work throughout the year of no more than 16 hours per week, or full-time seasonal work in June, July, and August. You cannot do both.

  • Can I follow an internship?

    Yes, as a non-EU/EEA student you are allowed to follow an internship according to strict IND and UvA regulations. Please visit our website for more information.

  • I have finished my study programme. Can I extend my residence permit to follow another internship?

    No, as a non EU/EEA students who holds a study permit, it is only possible to extend your residence permit to follow an internship if it is part of your study programme (mandatory/elective or voluntary) and the UvA internship agreement for Academic education has been signed by your employer, the UvA and you yourself.

    Please note that you are not allowed to artificially extend your residence permit if you are all set to graduate.

6. Discontinuing your studies

7. Travelling

8. Family

  • Can you arrange a visa and/or residence permit for my partner?

    The UvA only applies for residence permits for our students. We cannot apply for the permits of the partners of our students. You will need to do this yourself through the IND.

    You can find all the information relating to a partner visa here.

    If you have questions about the partner visa, please contact the IND.

  • Can you arrange a visa and/or residence permit for my partner and child?

    Unfortunately the UVA does not assist in the application for the partners of our students. We do assist in the application for children of our students. However, the IND recommends that when students are applying for both a partner and a child that they submit them together themselves through the IND. This is so that the applications are processed at the same time and that the IND is aware of both applications.

    You can find all the information relating to a partner residence permit here and child residence permit here.

  • Can you arrange a MVV entry visa and/or residence permit for my child?

    The UvA Immigration team would be happy to assist you in applying for a Dutch residence permit for your child.

    An application for a student's child is an exceptional case.
    The entire application process for your own and your child's permit takes longer than a normal residence permit application for students.

    Before you can start the application for your child, we have to have reviewed your own application and submitted it to the IND.
    When the IND has received your application for a residence permit as a student, you will receive a v-number. With this v-number you can start the application for your child. 

    When applying for your child's permit (and MVV entry visa if necessary), please fill in the attached forms and submit the following documents:

    • A copy of your child's passport, or a copy of the parent's passport with whom the child is registered
    • A copy of your child’s birth certificate, or if the parent's name is not on the birth certificate, other documentation, such as an adoption document
    • Proof that the parent has custody of the child
    • A copy of your marriage certificate
    • A copy of the passports of both parents
    • Proof of sufficient financial means
    • In the event that more than one person has guardianship, but not both parents or guardians are coming to the Netherlands:
      • Hand-signed statement from another parent or guardian that the child is allowed to go to the Netherlands
      • Passport of another parent or guardian (to check authenticity of signature)

    Please prepare all the documents and send them as attachments to our email address once you have received your v-number.

9. After graduation/Leaving the Netherlands

  • I have graduated. How soon do I have to leave the Netherlands?

    Your residence permit remains valid for another 3 months after your graduation date.
    If you do not apply for another residence permit in the Netherlands in the meantime, you will have to leave the country within the 3 months.

    If you wish to stay in the Netherlands to look for work or another study, you can apply for the orientation year residence permit.

    More information can be found here.

    As long as you apply for this type of residence permit before the expiration date of your current residence permit, you will continue to reside legally in the Netherlands until the IND has made a decision on your new application.

  • How can I apply for the orientation year permit after graduation?

    Students who have obtained a degree in the Netherlands can choose to apply for an orientation year residence permit after graduation.

    The orientation year residence permit allows you to stay in the Netherlands for one year after graduation to look for a job. Please visit the IND-website for the conditions and more information on how to apply for the orientation year residence permit. Please note that you have to apply for this permit directly at the IND and not through the UvA.

    You will have to wait until you have received either your degree certificate or have your faculty fill out the IND's completion of study form before you can apply for the orientation year permit.

  • I have de-enrolled from the UvA. How soon do I have to leave the Netherlands?

    Once we have notified the IND of your de-enrollment, they will send you an official letter to your Dutch address stating that you have 28 days to leave the country.

  • I’m leaving the Netherlands. Do I have to deregister from the municipality?

    Yes, you must deregister from the municipality when you leave the Netherlands. You can do this from 5 days before your departure until the day of departure at the latest. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays also count towards the 5-day period.

    How to deregister varies from one municipality to another. For more information, contact the municipality where you want to deregister.

  • What do I do with my residence permit card when I leave the Netherlands?

    Your residence permit card is property of the Dutch government. Invalidate the residence document before you give it back to the IND. You do this by cutting a corner off the document, or by making a hole in it.

    There are different ways to give the residence document back to the IND:

    • Send the card in an envelope to this postal address:
      IND Bureau Documenten
      Postbus 49
      9560 AA Ter Apel
    • Enclose the card with the Notification form for foreign nationals. The form contains the address of where you need to send it.
    • Hand the card back to the IND at an IND-desk. First make an appointment for this by calling the IND. Do not forget to fill in a Notification form for foreign nationals and bring it to the appointment.

10. Frequently used terms

  • Terms overview
    IND = Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service
    Non-EU/EEA = Students that do not have a passport from one of the countries of the European Union and/or the European Economic Area
    MVV = Entry visa
    VVR = Dutch residence permit for the purpose of study
    WHS = Working Holiday Scheme. Please visit the IND-website for more information
    BSN = citizen number (that you will gel after having registered yourself at a Dutch municipality)
    DigiD Dutch digital portal to access most government services (when you check the status of your residence permit card at the IND, for example)
    TBC-test = compulsory tuberculosis test for certain nationalities. Contact the GGD for more information and where to test
    Biometrics = personal data, such as fingerprints, ID-photo and signature required by the IND in order to make your residence permit card
    Return visa = temporary visa sometimes required when having to travel back to the Netherlands when not in possession of your residence permit card yet, for example. Please visit the IND-website for more information
    SPM = Study Progress Monitoring. Please visit our website for more information