Student visa in the Netherlands

Dutch higher education offers a wide range of academic and professional programmes. Research universities focus primarily on academic education, scientific research and analytical skills. Universities of applied sciences, known in Dutch as hogescholen, focus more strongly on professional skills, practical projects and preparation for a specific profession.

Selecting a university should not be based solely on rankings. The content of the programme, admission requirements, teaching method, internship opportunities, graduate employment prospects, tuition fees and location can all have a substantial effect on the student's experience and future career.

The Netherlands distinguishes between research universities and universities of applied sciences.

Not every institution or programme is suitable for every student. Some programmes are highly theoretical, while others are designed around applied projects, internships or cooperation with businesses. Admission standards, tuition fees and employment prospects also vary considerably.

For higher education, the student visa application is not normally filed independently by the student. In fact, only the university or educational institution recognised by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) can submit the student residence permit application. The institution will usually apply for the MVV and residence permit simultaneously where an MVV is required.

This makes selecting the correct university and programme particularly important. Admission to a programme does not necessarily mean that it is the best academic, professional or financial option for the student.

The student must normally demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition fees and living expenses. For 2026, the IND study norm for higher professional education and university students is €1,130.77 per month, excluding tuition fees. The student must normally demonstrate sufficient funds for 12 months. The amount is adjusted periodically.

After the student has been admitted and has provided the required documents and funds, the educational institution submits the immigration application to the IND.

Where an MVV is required, the institution applies for the MVV and the student residence permit together. Following approval, the student must normally attend the designated Dutch embassy or consulate to provide biometric data and collect the MVV sticker. The student can then travel to the Netherlands and collect the residence document after arrival.

A student residence permit does not provide unrestricted access to the Dutch labour market. A student may work as an employee when the employer obtains a work permit, known as a tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV). The student must choose between:

Students may undertake an internship without a TWV when the internship forms part of the study programme and the applicable internship conditions are met.

A student may also work as a self-employed person without a TWV, provided that the student continues to meet all conditions of the student residence permit. Registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and compliance with tax and insurance obligations may be required.

Working more hours than permitted, or working as an employee without the necessary TWV, can have consequences for both the employer and the student's residence status.

A student residence permit remains valid only while the student continues to meet the conditions for study.

The educational institution assesses the student's progress at the end of each study year. When the student has obtained insufficient credits, the institution must consider whether there is a justified reason for the delay. Relevant circumstances may include serious illness, pregnancy, disability or exceptional personal or family circumstances.

Where there is no accepted justification for the insufficient progress, the educational institution must report the student to the IND. The IND will then assess whether the student still meets the residence conditions.

The residence permit is not necessarily withdrawn automatically after every academic delay. Nevertheless, failure to obtain the required credits without an accepted justification may lead to withdrawal of the student residence permit. Students experiencing medical, psychological or personal difficulties should therefore contact their study adviser or student counsellor as early as possible and ensure that the circumstances are properly documented.

The educational institution must also notify the IND if the student deregisters, terminates the programme or no longer meets the admission requirements after a preparatory period.

If you are facing the student-visa withdrawal issue, you can take a look at our article: Take prompt reaction to student visa withdrawal.

The IND may issue a student residence permit for a maximum period of 5 years at a time. The permit is generally valid for the expected duration of the programme plus an additional 3 months. A preparatory year or pre-master's period may be included in the authorised period of residence.

Where a programme lasts longer than the period covered by the residence document, an extension may be required. The student must continue to meet the financial, enrolment and study-progress requirements.

Under Dutch immigration law, study is considered a temporary purpose of residence, or verblijfsdoel van tijdelijke aard. The orientation year after graduation is also classified as a temporary purpose.

The student must first change to a non-temporary purpose of residence, such as highly skilled migrant, European Blue Card, regular paid employment or self-employment.

Time spent in the Netherlands with a student residence permit does not count in full when applying for EU long-term resident status.

The student must subsequently change to a qualifying non-temporary residence permit and meet all other requirements, including the requirements concerning income, civic integration and periods spent outside the Netherlands.

The orientation year is treated differently. Although half of the period of study may count, time spent under an orientation-year residence permit does not normally count towards the 5-year period for EU long-term resident status, because the orientation year is another temporary residence purpose.

Students who intend to settle permanently in the Netherlands should therefore consider changing to a non-temporary residence category as soon as they become eligible.

Graduation does not necessarily mean that the student must immediately leave the Netherlands. Several residence routes may be available — from the post-study orientation year to highly skilled migrant sponsorship, the European Blue Card and business-related permits.

The sections below outline the principal options. The most appropriate route depends on the graduate's employment, salary, qualifications, nationality, family circumstances and long-term plans.

Graduates of an accredited Dutch bachelor's or master's programme can normally apply for an orientation-year residence permit within 3 years after graduation. The orientation year is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended.

A graduate does not need to have found employment before applying for the orientation year. A second orientation year may sometimes be possible after the graduate completes a new qualifying degree or research project after the previous orientation year.

A graduate who finds suitable employment may change to a highly skilled migrant residence permit. The employer must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor, and the salary must satisfy both the applicable salary threshold and the market-rate requirement.

Graduates who qualify for the orientation year can benefit from a significantly lower salary threshold:

It is not always necessary to obtain an orientation-year permit first. The reduced threshold may also apply where the graduate has never held an orientation-year permit, provided that the graduate meets the orientation-year conditions and the application is submitted within 3 years after graduation.

Once admitted under the reduced salary criterion, the reduced criterion generally continues to apply under the highly skilled migrant scheme, including when changing recognised sponsors.

Unlike study and the orientation year, residence as a highly skilled migrant is considered a non-temporary purpose. Time spent as a highly skilled migrant can therefore count fully towards the qualifying period for permanent residence and EU long-term resident status, provided that all other requirements are met.

Graduates with a sufficiently highly qualified job may consider the European Blue Card. The Blue Card has its own education, employment-contract and salary requirements. A reduced salary threshold may apply when the application is made within 3 years after graduation.

The European Blue Card may be particularly relevant for graduates who expect to work or relocate within different EU Member States in the future.

Graduates wishing to establish an innovative business may apply for a self-employment or start-up residence permit. The latter route normally requires cooperation with an approved facilitator and a structured plan for developing the business.

A graduate with an established business may instead consider a self-employed residence permit. The requirements depend on factors such as the graduate's nationality, business activities, economic contribution and applicable international treaties.

The orientation year can provide time to prepare a business plan, test the commercial concept and work as an entrepreneur before applying for a longer-term business residence permit.

Graduates should begin considering their next residence status before the student residence permit expires.

An application submitted too late may create a gap in lawful residence. Such a residence gap can have consequences for future applications for permanent residence, EU long-term resident status or Dutch nationality. It can also affect the graduate's right to work while the new application is pending.

The correct timing is especially important when a graduate is choosing between an orientation year, direct highly skilled migrant sponsorship, a European Blue Card or a business-related residence permit.

For a free comparison of Dutch schools and study programmes, students may contact StudyPath. For legal advice concerning Dutch residence rights before, during or after study, students and graduates may contact us.