Residence permit
Obtaining a residence permit (VVR - VerblijfsVergunning Regulier) is mandatory for all expats who wish to stay, study or work in the Netherlands for more than three months. Nationals of any EU / EEA country or Switzerland, are not obliged to apply for a Dutch residence permit or inform the authorities.
In some cases expatriates have to apply for an MVV (provisional residence permit) prior to arrival. Although the application procedure (with or without applying for an MVV) is pretty much the same, you are advised to acquire the MVV since less documentation will be needed at a later stage.
Application procedure
The application for a residence permit should be submitted within three days after entering the Netherlands. You can apply for a residence permit at the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) desk in your region. To check desk locations all over the Netherlands as well as their opening hours please visit the IND website (in English).
Note that the requirements you need to meet in order to successfully obtain a residence permit vary and depend on the purpose of visiting the country (work, study, set up a business, live with your family etc.)
The steps that you need to follow in order to apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands:
› Depending on whether you need an MVV or not, you have to download the form "Application for a residence permit with MVV" or "Application residence permit without MVV or change to purpose of stay," which can be found here (Brochures and Forms). You can also call IND and request the brochures.
› Fill in the application you just downloaded. You can also download a guide on how to fill in those application from the Brochure / Forms section of IND’s website. For questions visit an IND desk or call at 0900-1234561 (+31 20 8893045 if you are abroad).
› In the meantime, you are obliged to undergo a tuberculosis examination (Tuberculosetest or TB-test). TB-test is free of charge and the examination can take place at the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (Geneeskundige en Gezondheidsdienst, GGD) in Amsterdam. You will need to download the "Tuberculosis Examination Referral Form" from the IND website, before you visit the examination centre.
Note that a TB-test is not mandatory if you have come from: Australia, Canada, EU / EEA, Israeli, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, Surinam, Swiss, the United States and Vatican City.
› If the result of the TB-test is negative (i.e. you are immune to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis), after completing the application for the residence permit, you need to arrange an appointment in order to visit an IND desk.
› After submitting and paying for the application, IND will place a sticker (Verblijfsaantekening / Algemeen) in your passport. This indicates that the residence permit application is being processed and thus, you are allowed to work while waiting for the final decision.
› Approximately six months later, you will receive a letter from IND stating whether you are granted with a residence permit or not.
Renewal
Residence permits are renewed annually and in order to extend your residence permit, you need to contact IND. In any case, three months before the expiration date, you will receive a letter from IND advising you to extend your residence permit. Together with this letter, you will receive an application form that you need to complete. These documents will be in Dutch. You can also download the form at the Brochures / Forms section on IND’s website.
If you do not receive any response for your application, you should contact IND as soon as possible.
Costs
There is a cost, which is charged for the residence permit procedure whether you apply for the MVV or not. This fee is non-refundable and should be paid at the time of the application submission or before the tuberculosis examination. The brochure "Costs for staying in the Netherlands" (IND website) exhibits all costs involved in the residence permit application process.
For more information about the residence permit in the Netherlands download the brochure "Staying in the Netherlands" (IND).
