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How to Apply for the Netherlands Student Visa

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An international student who wants to stay and study in the Netherlands (Holland) for more than 3 months will have to avail a Provisional Residence Permit. It is also known as Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf or MVV Visa. It is only an entry visa into the Netherlands and foreign students must register with the Netherlands government to obtain a residence permit or a D-Visa for their stay. MVV visa can be obtained as a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa.

In case a foreign student wants to undertake a short term course that do not extend for more than 3 months, he or she will have to obtain a short stay visa, also known as Schengen visa or VKV or type C visa.

University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam

Eligibility criteria for the Netherlands student visa

To be eligible for the Netherlands Student Visa or MVV visa you must fulfil the following conditions:

  • You must have a valid passport
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from the date of your visa application
  • You must have a completed MVV visa application form
  • You must provide a copy of the conditional offer letter or provisional acceptance letter issued by a recognized Dutch host institution stating that you are or will be enrolled as a student or that you are going to do an internship
  • You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during your entire period of study in the Netherlands and for your return transportation. The Dutch Ministry of Justice requires you to have a minimum of EUR 22 (INR 56,405.08)* per month for staying in the Netherlands. Bank statement and scholarship letters are accepted for this purpose.
  • You must provide proof of having cleared the tuition fees for your course for at least one year
  • You must provide a recent statement of your financial situation from your bank
  • You must provide proof of having obtained travel insurance and valid annual health insurance
  • You must be in good physical and mental health and free from any kind of contagious diseases
  • You must not have a criminal record
  • You must not have been refused entry into the Netherlands previously
  • You intend to leave the Netherlands at the end of your authorized stay

* The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change

Steps to follow to apply for the Netherlands student visa

You have to apply at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in your country for the Netherlands student visa. Once you have received the official letter of acceptance for your intended course of study, you can check your eligibility for obtaining a Netherlands student visa and then go ahead with the below mentioned procedure. Remember that your MVV visa application will require some time to process. As such, it is advisable for you to apply at least three months before your intended arrival date in the Netherlands.

Note that your MVV visa can be obtained faster if your Dutch host University applies for it on your behalf. Also keep in mind that you will have to apply for residence permit within five days of your arrival in the Netherlands.

Step 1: Get the student visa application form

Your first step is to obtain the MVV Application Form. You can access the form through the internet and download it.

Step 2: Fill up the student visa application form

Fill in the details required in the student visa application form carefully and put your signature on the application form.

Step 3: Gather the required documents for student visa application

For submission of student visa application at a Dutch Embassy or Consulate you must make a check list of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.

Step 4: Provide photograph for your student visa application

Provide five copies of your recent colour photograph along with your student visa application. Make sure that your photograph matches or corresponds to all the photo specifications required for student visa application. In any case, your photograph must not be more than 6 months old.

Step 5: Check the student visa application fee

Check the fees required for processing your student visa application. Keep the fee ready for submission along with your visa application form.

Step 6: Schedule an appointment to submit the visa application form

Schedule an appointment at the Dutch Consulate to submit your student visa application form. You will have to submit your application form personally along with all the required documents.

Step 7: Submit your student application form

Submit your visa application form along with the required documents and application fees at the Dutch Consulate. You can either pay in cash or use a credit card or a debit card to pay for the visa application fee. Generally an interview is not compulsory. However, if an interview is required, you will be notified when you submit your application or through a phone call.

Step 8: Collect your student visa

You can collect your student visa directly from the Dutch Embassy or can have it delivered to you through courier service.

Netherlands student visa exemption program

Citizens from European Union (EU) Member States do not require a student visa or residence permit to enter the Netherlands and stay there for a period of up to 90 days. However, such visitors will have to register with a local governing body i.e. a council and obtain their personal public service number (BSN).

The citizens of the following countries do not require a student visa or residence permit to stay and study in the Netherlands for a period of more than 90 days:

AustraliaAustriaBelgium
BulgariaCanadaCyprus
Czech RepublicDenmarkEstonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungaryIceland
IrelandItalyJapan
LatviaLiechtensteinLithuania
LuxembourgMaltaMonaco
New ZealandNorwayPoland
PortugalRomaniaSlovenia
SlovakiaSouth KoreaSpain
SwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom
United States

Dos and Don’ts for the Netherlands student visa

You must remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for Netherlands student visa

Dos

  • Apply for the Netherlands student visa as soon as you get the confirmation letter from your Dutch host University
  • Fill up your application form carefully with all accurate details
  • Bring original copies and photocopies of all supporting documents when you come to submit your visa application form at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate

Don’ts

  • Do not present false documents for your student visa

  • Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application

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