Public AffairsThe procedure in the Netherlands
After arrival in the Netherlands, you have to apply for a residence permit. Here you will have to sign a statement about your past. Furthermore, you might be ordered to report to the local health service for a tuberculosis check. This check does not apply to citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Suriname, United States, and Switzerland (including Liechtenstein).
The decision
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will make a decision. You will be informed about their decision by post. The residence permit is valid for a period of 1 year after the date on which you arrived in the Netherlands.
Our University's Visa Office will assist you with the MVV (visa) procedure, which is an accelerated procedure for students.
If the application is denied, the IND will inform you of their decision by post. You can object and even make an appeal later if you do not agree with this decision.
Residence Permit
In order to study in the Netherlands a student needs to obtain a "Residence Permit" in the Netherlands. The Dutch Aliens Act distinguishes two categories of students:
1. Nationals originating from countries within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the United States.
For this category of nationals, the general conditions underlying the procurement of a residence permit are:
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your study and living expenses;
- Health Insurance;
- Hold and bring a valid passport.
Nationals from the above-mentioned countries can apply for the Residence Permit at the city hall in the Dutch city where you will be living.
2. Nationals from non-EU/EEA countries.
If you are a resident of any other country than mentioned under 1, you must obtain firstly an Authorisation for Temporary Stay (a so-called MVV). EPA students will be informed on rules and regulations and have to provide the EPA management with legalised documents (and if necessary, verified). For this category of nationals, the general conditions underlying the procurement of a Authorisation for Temporary Stay are:
- Legalised Birth certificate;
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your study and living expenses during your stay in the Netherlands (i.e. bank statement, guarantor's declaration, award of fellowship);
- Signed Student declaration;
- Health Insurance;
- Hold and bring a passport valid at least 13 months after entering the Netherlands;
- Declaration of law-abiding past, stating that a student does not have a criminal record;
- Guarantees for your return.
The above-listed legalised documents are mandatory and necessary for the EPA management to initiate the process for the Authorisation for Temporary Stay.
PLEASE NOTE: For accepted EPA students, the process of obtaining an authorisation is initiated by the administrative assistant of the EPA programme, but only after payment of the administrative fee. PLEASE NOTE: In Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and the Dominican Republic, documents not only have to be legalised, but also verified. Verification takes place at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate and entails checking all of the documents' contents. This procedure usually takes several months and can be expensive.Download the application form from the IND.
