Residence permit for the Netherlands

Staying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days

You need a residence permit (also known as a 5-year visa or long-stay visa) if you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, come from outside the EU/EEA and come from a country that has a visa requirement for the Netherlands.

A residence permit is an official document that you need to live and work in the Netherlands. It is a kind of visa, but for a longer period. You can apply for a residence permit if, for example, you are married to someone who lives in the Netherlands, or if you have found a job in the Netherlands.

Applying for a residence permit can be quite complicated, so it is useful to inform yourself well before you start. Fortunately, there are many people and organizations that can help you apply for a residence permit, such as the IND, a sponsor or a lawyer who specializes in these types of matters.

When you apply for a residence permit, the Dutch government will look at various things, such as your identity, your reason for staying in the Netherlands, and whether you have enough money to take care of yourself. It is important to know that applying for a residence permit takes time, so you should bear in mind that it may take some time before you get a decision.

Do you need a residence permit?

Do you need a visa to travel to the Netherlands and do you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days? Then you apply for a residence permit using the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). You must first apply for an Authorisation for Provisional Residence (MVV). To do this, you must first successfully pass a basic civic integration exam. After that, you can apply for a (temporary) residence permit at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

Residents of the European Union (EU) , EEA countries , and Switzerland (and their family members) do not need a residence permit. Does a family member who does not have EU nationality wish to live with an EU citizen? Then the conditions for family members with a different nationality apply.

Entry and residence procedure (tev)

You can apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV) and a residence permit through a single procedure. This is the entry and residence procedure (TEV). It is regulated in the Modern Migration Policy Act.

With a TEV, you apply for a long-term stay in the Netherlands from abroad. If the application is assessed positively, you will receive permission to enter the Netherlands. Upon arrival, you can collect your residence permit at a counter of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

You can apply for the TEV yourself at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your own country. A sponsor can also do this for you. The sponsor is, for example, your employer in the Netherlands or your partner residing in the Netherlands.

Provisional residence permit (mvv)

The first step for a long-term stay in the Netherlands is obtaining a provisional residence permit (MVV); for this, you must take a civic integration exam. You can find a list of embassies where you can obtain an MVV in the Overview of countries and cities for obtaining an MVV and taking civic integration exams.

Conditions for a provisional residence permit (mvv)

To obtain a residence permit, you must meet a number of conditions. Are you coming to the Netherlands for family reunification? Then you must have a Dutch partner or a partner residing in the Netherlands who can support the family. Do you want to study in the Netherlands? Then you must have sufficient prior education and be able to pay for the studies yourself.

Residents of the EU do not need an MVV

Are you from a country within the EU? Then you may come to live in the Netherlands without a visa and residence permit. For a number of countries, immigrants do need a residence permit, but not a visa. This applies to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States (US), South Korea, Monaco, and Vatican City. You can apply for the residence permit in the Netherlands.

No residence permit required

If you come from 1 of the following countries, you can stay in the Netherlands without a residence permit:    

• European Union (EU);
• Liechtenstein;
• Norway;
• Iceland;
• Switzerland.

You do need a valid passport or a valid identity document. You must also meet certain conditions. You can find the conditions for staying in the Netherlands on the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

Residence permit required

If you do not come from one of the above countries, you will need a residence permit. You also always need a reason to apply for a residence permit. This is called a purpose of residence. For example:

• You have an employer in the Netherlands and you come to the Netherlands to work.
• You're coming to the Netherlands to study.
• You're coming to the Netherlands for an exchange, for example for a working holiday or as an au pair.
• You have graduated, obtained a PhD or are a scientific researcher. And you are looking for a job in the Netherlands or want to start your own company.
• You are an independent entrepreneur and want to in the Netherlands as a self-employed person.
• You're coming to the Netherlands to be with your (Dutch) partner.

These and other situations are listed on the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

Apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands

Are you an immigrant from one of these countries? As soon as you are in the Netherlands, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. For example, you need to:

• demonstrate that you can support yourself, for example by showing an employment contract;
• can identify themselves with a valid identity document, such as a passport;
• prove that you have no criminal record.

Assessment of application for residence permit

The IND checks whether you meet all the conditions for obtaining a residence permit. You will hear within 90 days whether you will receive a residence permit or not. The residence permit is usually valid for 5 years and can be extended. After 5 years you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Has your application been rejected? Then you can lodge an objection or appeal against this decision.

How do I apply for a residence permit for the Netherlands?

Where you apply for the residence permit differs per application.

Apply for a residence permit yourself

If you apply for a residence permit, there are two options:

• In addition to the residence permit, you have a provisional residence permit (mvv) necessary. You can apply for both at the same time at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country of origin. Or in the country of permanent residence (the country where you are staying for more than 3 months). Is there no Dutch embassy or consulate there? Then you can go to the Dutch representation in the neighboring country. This application is called an 'application for entry and residence (TEV)'.
• You only need a residence permit. You can apply for this at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) in the Netherlands.

Sponsor in the Netherlands applies for a residence permit

In many cases, you need a sponsor to come to the Netherlands. This sponsor invites you to come to the Netherlands. The sponsor can be a recognized employer , but also an educational institution or a partner with whom you will be living.

Your sponsor applies for the residence permit at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the Netherlands.

Collect MVV and residence permit

Have you been granted permission to stay in the Netherlands? Then you must pick up your MVV within 90 days, if you need it. To do this, make an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate.

After entering the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit from an IND desk.

Source: NederlandWereldwijd.nl – the above text is for information only, no rights can be derived from it. Always check with the official authorities for the latest information and regulations.

Related posts:

• Visa Long Stay
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)
• Provisional residence permit
• Residence permit for the Netherlands
• Traveling with your visa in Schengen countries