How to get a student residence permit in NL

For higher education, the student residence permit is not an application you send to the IND yourself. Your university or university of applied sciences applies for you as an IND-recognised sponsor. Your job is to give the institution the right documents, meet the financial and study conditions, and tell it when something changes.

This guide is for the higher-education student residence route. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not use this residence permit. If you are a non-EU national already living in the Netherlands on another residence permit, first check what your current permit allows and ask the institution whether a change of residence purpose is needed.

Nationality and where you live are separate questions. Being in the Netherlands already does not make a non-EU student an EU student.

• EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

  This student residence permit is not your route. Use the Study path for admission, arrival and student-life steps without the IND student-permit conditions.

• Non-EU and outside the Netherlands

  Your institution starts the residence procedure and, where an MVV is required, handles that route with the residence application.

• Non-EU and already in the Netherlands

  Check your current residence document and ask the institution whether you can study on it or whether it needs to apply for a student residence permit or change of residence purpose.

1. 1

   Check whether the higher-education student permit is your route

   EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not use this residence permit. If you are a non-EU national, your current residence position and permit determine whether the institution needs to start or change a student residence route.

   Do this: Tell the institution your nationality and, if you already live in the Netherlands, show it your current residence document.

   Documents needed

   • Passport or identity document
   • Current Dutch residence document if you already have one

   Processing time

   Before the institution starts the immigration file

   Common mistake: Do not use 'already in the Netherlands' as a substitute for nationality. A non-EU student can already live here and still need an immigration change.

   Official source

   IND · Higher-education student residence permit requirements
2. 2

   Check that the institution is a recognised sponsor for study

   The institution must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor for study before it can apply for this residence permit.

   Do this: Check the institution in the IND public register for study if you need to confirm its sponsor status.

   Documents needed

   • Institution name

   Processing time

   Before relying on the institution to sponsor the permit

   Common mistake: A school offering a programme is not automatically evidence that it is an IND-recognised sponsor for this residence route.

   Official source

   IND · Public register of recognised sponsors for study
3. 3

   Prepare the institution's documents and current proof of funds

   The IND requires proof of registration or temporary registration, an accredited full-time programme and enough funds for the study route. The required study amount is published for a defined period and changes over time.

   Do this: Use the institution's immigration checklist and the current IND study amount when you prepare the financial evidence.

   Documents needed

   • Proof of registration or temporary registration
   • Passport
   • Financial evidence requested by the institution
   • Legalised or translated documents if requested

   Processing time

   Before the institution submits a complete application

   Common mistake: Do not copy a proof-of-funds amount from an older checklist. Check the period shown on the current IND amounts page.

   Official source

   IND · Current study amounts for the income requirement
4. 4

   Let the educational institution submit the application

   Only the educational institution can apply for the higher-education student residence permit. The IND gives a 60-day decision period.

   Do this: Send the institution everything it asks for and keep its confirmation that the immigration file is complete.

   Documents needed

   • The institution's completed immigration forms and requested evidence

   Processing time

   The IND decision period is 60 days after a complete application is submitted

   Common mistake: Do not plan your move from the legal decision period alone. The institution needs time before submission to collect and check your file.

   Official source

   IND · Application process and decision period
5. 5

   Complete the arrival conditions on your own permit

   Depending on your situation, the residence process can include collecting the residence document and completing a tuberculosis test after arrival if the IND requires it.

   Do this: Follow the instructions in the IND and institution letters for collection, biometrics and any TB-test condition.

   Documents needed

   • Passport
   • IND or institution letters
   • TB referral form if required

   Processing time

   Use the dates and instructions in your own decision and institution messages

   Common mistake: Do not copy another student's arrival checklist. MVV and TB conditions depend on your own nationality and residence route.

   Official source

   IND · Student permit process and arrival conditions
6. 6

   Keep at least the required study progress

   The higher-education student permit requires at least 50% of the credits for each study year. If progress is insufficient, the institution must first assess whether there is a valid reason before it reports the situation to the IND.

   Do this: Track your credits and contact the student adviser early if recognised personal circumstances are affecting your progress.

   Documents needed

   • Study-progress overview
   • Evidence of relevant personal circumstances if the institution asks for it

   Processing time

   Throughout every study year

   Common mistake: Do not wait until the end of the year to raise a serious progress problem. The institution is responsible for assessing the reason and may have its own procedure and deadlines.

   Official source

   IND · Study-progress requirement and assessment
7. 7

   Choose the residence route that comes after study

   After completing the study, the IND lists routes including the orientation year, highly skilled migrant and start-up permits. The right next route depends on what you plan to do.

   Do this: Start checking the next residence route before your study status ends, so the application can be prepared while your current documents are still clear.

   Documents needed

   • Diploma, completion statement or other proof required by the next route
   • Current residence document

   Processing time

   Before your student residence status ends

   Common mistake: A student residence permit is temporary. Completing the programme does not automatically turn it into permission to stay for work or business.

   Official source

   IND · Orientation year after graduation, doctorate or research

• Passport
• Proof of registration or temporary registration from the educational institution
• Documents the institution asks for to support the residence application
• Proof that you meet the current IND funds requirement
• Any legalised and translated foreign documents the institution says are required

• The IND charges an application fee for the student residence route. The amount can change by calendar year, so use the current IND page rather than an older figure.

The IND decision period is 60 days. The permit is valid for the duration of your study plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 5 years, as long as you keep meeting the study requirements. Your institution controls when it can submit a complete application, so use its immigration deadline rather than planning from the IND period alone.

Requirements depend on your situation. Check the latest requirements with the relevant authority.

• Trying to submit the higher-education student residence application yourself. The IND states that only the educational institution can apply.
• Treating 'already living in the Netherlands' as an immigration category. A non-EU student can already be in the country and still need a student residence route or a change of residence purpose.
• Using an old proof-of-funds amount. The IND publishes study amounts for a defined period and updates them.
• Ignoring study progress after the permit is issued. The higher-education student permit requires at least 50% of the credits for each study year unless the institution accepts a valid reason for insufficient progress.

• Keep the institution informed of changes in your address, enrolment or other facts it tells you must be reported.
• Track your credits during the year and contact the student adviser early if health, personal circumstances or another recognised reason affects your progress.
• Before graduation, check the residence route you want next, such as the orientation year, highly skilled migrant route, research or a start-up route.