Netherlands student residence permit for university or higher professional education

Students registered, or temporarily registered, for an accredited full-time programme at an educational institution recognised by the IND as a sponsor.

• Proof of registration

  You must have proof of registration or temporary proof of registration as a student at a university or institute of higher professional education.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Accredited programme

  Your study programme must be recognised by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) or the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR). ([ind.nl](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/study/student-residence-permit-for-university-or-higher-professional-education))

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Recognised educational institution

  Your educational institution must be a sponsor recognised by the IND.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Full-time study

  You must enrol on a full-time study programme.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Money to live and study

  You must show enough money to live and study in the Netherlands for 12 months. For higher professional education or university, the study norm is €1,130.77 per month from 1 January to 31 December 2026; it does not include school or college fees. The IND sets out several ways to prove sufficient funds, including your own funds, a scholarship or financial support. ([ind.nl](https://ind.nl/en/income-requirements-study))

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Study progress

  Each study year, you must obtain at least 50% of that year's credits; the educational institution assesses whether there are good reasons for insufficient progress.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Valid travel document

  You must have a valid passport or other travel document.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Public order and security

  You must not pose a danger to public order or national security. Everyone over the age of 12 must complete and enclose an Antecedents Certificate.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Entry visa if required

  An MVV is required for most nationalities, unless an exemption applies. The educational institution applies for the MVV and student residence permit at the same time when an MVV is needed.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• TB test if required

  After arrival, you must take a tuberculosis test unless an exemption applies. If the educational institution indicated in the application that you will take the test, make an appointment within 3 months after receiving the residence permit.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• First application for a study residence permitind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource€254 per person
• Decision timeThe legal decision period is 60 days from the day the IND receives the application. For a complete application submitted by a recognised sponsor, the target decision period is 2 weeks, not a guaranteed minimum or maximum; the IND can extend the decision period. ([ind.nl](https://ind.nl/en/after-yourAbout 2 months

1. Get ready

   • Check your programme and institution

     Confirm that the programme is accredited and full-time, and that the educational institution is a sponsor recognised by the IND.

   • Get proof of registration

     Obtain proof of registration or temporary proof of registration from the educational institution.

     You’ll need: Proof of registration or temporary proof of registration

   • Show you have enough money

     Provide the educational institution with documents showing sufficient money to live and study for 12 months.

     You’ll need: Proof of income or funds

   • Collect your documents

     Use the educational institution's document list, and have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

     You’ll need: Documents requested by the educational institution, Valid passport or other travel document, Antecedents Certificate if over age 12

2. Apply

   • Ask your institution to apply

     Your educational institution submits the student residence permit application and, if required, applies for the MVV at the same time.

     You’ll need: Application for the purpose of residence 'study' (recognised sponsor) Higher education 7504

   • Pay through your institution

     The €254 application cost is paid through the educational institution.

   • Wait for the IND's decision

     The educational institution receives the IND's decision in a letter.

3. Visa

   • Arrange your MVV sticker if required

     If you need an MVV, make an appointment at the Dutch representation named in the application within 3 months of the decision; your passport must have at least 6 months' validity when the sticker is placed in it.

     You’ll need: Passport

4. Travel

   • Travel to the Netherlands

     If you need an MVV, travel using it while it is valid; the MVV is valid for 90 days.

     You’ll need: Passport, MVV if required

5. Settle in

   • Collect your residence permit

     When the permit is ready and your educational institution receives the letter, make an appointment to collect it from the IND.

   • Take a TB test if required

     If the educational institution indicated that you will take a TB test, make an appointment with the public health service within 3 months after receiving your residence permit.

     You’ll need: Appendix TB test referral form 7604

After completing your studies, you can apply for a different residence permit to look for a job, work as a highly skilled migrant, or work as a start-up entrepreneur.

• Student residence permit for university or higher professional education | INDind.nlOfficial
• Required amounts income requirements | INDind.nlOfficial
• Fees: costs of an application | INDind.nlOfficial
• Decision periods | INDind.nlOfficial
• Income requirements study | INDind.nlOfficial
• Provisional residence permit (MVV) | INDind.nlOfficial
• Requirements that apply to everyone | INDind.nlOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.