You can apply for a residence permit and an MVV in two ways:
- through a host in the Netherlands (such as an employer, family member or educational institution)
- in person at a Netherlands embassy or consulate-general.
What is a Netherlands MVV visa?
What is a Netherlands MVV Visa? A Netherlands long-stay or MVV visa (type D) is also called an authorization for temporary stay or a Dutch provisional residence permit. It allows the holder entry into the Netherlands as they wait for their Dutch residence permit application to be processed.
What is an MVV visa and do I need one?
An MVV visa is similar to a Schengen visa since it lets the holder stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days, during which their residence permit should be processed. However, unlike with an MVV visa, you cannot apply for a Dutch residence permit with a Netherlands Schengen visa. Do I Need to Apply for an MVV Visa?
How do I apply for a Netherlands student visa?
You cannot apply for a Netherlands Student Visa yourself. The educational institution where you will be studying will apply on your behalf. In order to study in the Netherlands, you will need to be issued a temporary Dutch residence permit. In some cases, you will also have to apply for an MVV (long-stay visa).
Do I need an MVV or a Dutch residence permit?
Depending on your country, you may have to apply for both an MVV and a Dutch residence permit at the same time. In other cases, you do not need an MVV, only a Dutch residence permit which you can apply for within 90 days of entering the Netherlands.

Who needs a MVV for the Netherlands?
Not everyone needs a MVV in order to immigrate to the Netherlands and apply for a Dutch residence permit. You have to apply for a MVV for the Netherlands unless:
How long do you have to stay in the Netherlands to get a MVV?
According to the Dutch immigration law, certain foreign citizens who intend to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period than three months must apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV).
Who issues the Dutch residence permit?
The provisional residence permit is issued by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Sevice (IND) and must be collected in the Netherlands. There are several steps to take in order to apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands:
Entry permits and residence permits for the Netherlands
If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss national, and you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will typically require a Dutch residence permit.
Do you need an entry permit (MVV)?
Not everyone needs an MVV in order to enter the Netherlands and apply for a Dutch residence permit.
Before you apply: Civic integration exam abroad
If you are aged 18–65, and your nationality requires you to apply for an MVV, you may need to pass a civic integration examination in your home country beforehand. This is a three-part test of your knowledge of the Dutch language and Dutch society, which you can take via a computer at your Dutch embassy or consulate.
Sponsors
In many cases, you will have a sponsor, which is a person or organisation – such as an employer or educational establishment, or a family member – with an interest in you coming to the Netherlands. The sponsor can – and in some cases, must – apply on your behalf and can lodge objections or appeal if your application is refused.
General requirements for Dutch residence permits
To qualify for the MVV and/or Dutch residence permit, you will need to fulfill certain general conditions:
How to apply for a Dutch permit
You can submit your application yourself using the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV) via the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country or country of continuous residence where you legally stayed continuously for at least three months.
What happens next?
If you are granted the MVV/residence permits, you (or your sponsor) will receive written confirmation that your application has been successful. You must collect your MVV within three months after the approval at the Dutch embassy or consulate.
Cost for MVV and residence permit
The cost of the MVV visa to the Netherlands and the first residence permit in case of living with a partner is 192 euros as of January 1, 2021. The current rates are indicated in the official Leges table: kosten van een aanvraag.
Review of documents
The IND confirms receipt of the documents in an official letter or by telephone two weeks after their submission. This letter also contains the official V-number of your dossier. You will need this number if you want to call the IND and inquire about the status of your case.
Decision-making
In case of a negative decision, the referent has the right to an official protest. How to do this is indicated in the letter. At the same time, money for the MVV procedure is not refunded.
Issuing MVV
You bring legalized originals (and photocopies of originals) plus translations (and photocopies of translations) of your documents to the consulate. Documents are checked in your presence. If they are in order, then the request for an MVV to the Netherlands is satisfied and your visa is pasted into your passport on the same day.
Who Needs a Netherlands Student Visa?
A Netherlands student visa and residence permit to study in the Netherlands is necessary for everyone, except:
How Long Does a Netherlands Student Visa Last?
A Netherlands Student Visa lasts only as long as your study program. It allows the holder to stay in the country for up to five years in order to finish their studies.
Do you need to register to study in the Netherlands?
However, if you fall under the above categories and want to study in the Netherlands for longer than three months, you will only be required to register with local Dutch authorities.
What is a sponsor in the Netherlands?
The sponsor is the person you are going to stay with in the Netherlands or the organisation that arranges your stay (e.g. a school or employer). The sponsor applies to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for the mvv. If you do not have a sponsor, you can apply to the Dutch embassy in your country of origin or ...
Do you need a residence permit in the Netherlands?
If you have the nationality of one of the following countries, you do not need an mvv to apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands. If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not need to apply for an mvv or a residence permit.
