Netherlands Student Visa: Types, Requirements, Financial Status and Validity

Highlights:

• The universities in the Netherlands will apply for your student visa. You do not need to apply separately
• The validity of the Netherlands student visa is 3 months plus the duration of study
• You can apply for a Residence Permit (VVR) between 3 and 5 days only after arrival
• Students can work on a self-employed basis after registering with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce

The Netherlands hosts over 122,000 international students from more than 160 countries, making up roughly 12% of the total student population. The number of international students has risen rapidly in the past few years. One of the reasons for this rapid increase is the easy procedure of a Netherlands student visa and the high acceptance rate. A maximum number of applicants coming to study in Netherlands are from India, China, and USA.

It is the responsibility of Netherlands universities to apply for a visa on the student's behalf. Hence, international students are required to pay 174 EUR visa processing fees at the time of enrollment. There is no separate Netherlands study visa cost. The student visa for the Netherlands is a two-step process that requires:

• The MVV or an Entry Visa to enter the Netherlands
• The VVR – or the Residence Permit – is granted to students within a month of their reaching the country

Under the TEV Procedure, the University would:

• Request you to provide the necessary documents
• Submit the form on your behalf to the IND in the Netherlands
• On approval, it will grant you an MVV (Provisional Residence Permit) valid for 3 months.
• Collect the MVV from the Dutch Embassy/ Consulate and then fly to the Netherlands.

On arriving in the Netherlands, students would then be required by their respective Universities to appear for and apply for a Residence Permit (VVR) between 3 and 5 days. The application is then forwarded by the University for a Permanent Residence Permit, which is issued within the following two weeks. There is no Netherlands student visa age limit. You can apply if you are more than 18 years of age.

Netherlands Student Visa Highlights

Netherlands Student Visa Requirements

Although universities apply for Holland study visa, international students must fulfill certain basic requirements to make sure that their visa is accepted. These Holland student visa requirements include the following:

• Accepted by a university in the Netherlands as a student to a full-time day program from a recognized university.
• Supporting documents should be legalized and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German.
• Have sufficient, independent, and sustainable income to financially support your stay in the Netherlands – including your tuition fee.
• Maintain at least 50% of the required credits for each academic year.
• Meet the minimum Language Proficiency in English and test scores required to study in Netherlands. TOEFL (minimum 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based), IELTS (minimum average of 6) GMAT or GRE.

Netherlands Study Visa Financial Status

Universities of the Netherlands provide a declaration form that students have to submit with complete information and sign. Two types of funds required for Netherlands study visa requirements are:

• Tuition Fees: Varies according to the university and masters program at Netherlands universities
• Study Norms: Equals the amount required for living expenses such as accommodation in the Netherlands, meals, etc.

The minimum required amount of study norms for residence permits are tabulated below:

Students can demonstrate the availability of sufficient funds for living and studying in the Netherlands by submitting one of the following documents.

Money in a Student's Own Bank Account

The account should be under your name, and you must be able to deposit and withdraw money from the account for a Holland study visa. It could be a current or savings account with another person (joint account) or a single nominee account. A bank statement, copy of the account statement or printout of the internet copy of bank details with the following information is required:

• Date of issue,
• Personal details,
• Bank account number,
• Total balance,
• Contact details of the bank.

If the account is a joint bank account, then a statement is also required for Netherlands student visa for indian with the following information:

• Original bank statement,
• Copy of a statement,
• Printout of the internet copy of bank account

Note: No document should be older than three months.

Deposit Money in the Student’s Account

You must have the authority to deposit money in the account. The university sends the account statement to the Immigration Department of the Netherlands while submitting the visa application. The following information must be included in the account statement:

• Date,
• Name of University
• Bank account number
• The total amount paid by the student

Funding Through Scholarships

International students getting scholarships in the Netherlands from government, university or any other third-party organizations can submit it as proof of financial stability. A scholarship declaration with the following information is required:

• Date of issue,
• Institutions granting scholarships,
• Personal details of the student,
• Start and finish date of the scholarship
• Amount offered
• Name of scholarship program (optional)

Funding From an Organization

If an international student is receiving funding from an organization, he/she is required to submit a form or with the following information:

• Name, date, and place of birth, nationality, and passport number of signatory
• Name and contact details of the organization
• Name, date, and place of birth, nationality, and passport number of student
• Total transferred amount

An original bank statement of the company showing the following details is also required:

• Name of company
• Bank account number and total balance amount
• Contact details of the bank

Note: The funding organization must have an amount equal to one year of study norm, and the statement should not be older than 3 months.

Funding From a Person Abroad

Students getting funding from a sponsor living outside the Netherlands must submit a statement not older than 3 months. Other requirements are:

• Copy of passport or any other identity document of sponsor
• One of the following as proof of bank account of the sponsor
• Original bank statement,
• Copy of account statement
• Printout of the internet copy of the bank account

Funding From a Citizen of the Netherlands

You can demonstrate proof of financial stability with the help of funding from a person living in the Netherlands. The following documents, not older than 3 months, are required for the same:

• A Financial Statement of Support
• Original extract from Municipal Personal Records Database showing the family composition of sponsor from the municipality
• Proof of income of sponsor

Academic Records for Holland Student Visa

You must remember that the residence permit will not be renewed if you fail to obtain 50% of the total credits required for the program. This is also known as study progress monitoring. Your performance is reviewed every year in November by the Immigration Department of the Netherlands. Special consideration is given to international students having a valid reason such as one of the following:

• Illness
• Any functional disorder like physical or sensory impairment
• Pregnancy
• Family circumstances

Proof of Language Proficiency for Dutch Student Visa

International students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the Dutch or English language depending upon the program they choose. Proficiency in English language can be demonstrated by submission of IELTS test with following minimum score:

• Minimum score of 6.0: Direct admission
• IELTS Score between 5.5 to 6.0: A preparatory program of six months is required
• The score between 5.0 to 5.5: A preparatory program of one year is required.

Application Process for Netherlands Student Visa

Application for a student visa to the Netherlands must be submitted by a university recognized as a sponsor by the Immigration Department. The whole process takes approximately 60 to 90 days. Each step is discussed in detail in this section.

1. Application for the Netherlands Student Visa is done by the University. The immigration department takes approximately 60 days and 90 days for processing of mvv and residence permits respectively.

2. You can collect MVV immediately from the nearest Dutch embassy.

• A passport with a validity of at least 6 months and biometric information is required while collecting the mvv.
• Deadline for collecting mvv is 3 months from the date of issue.

3. A residence permit or VRV takes 2 weeks to get ready after a positive decision. A letter is sent to university indicating that the letter is ready. You need to book an appointment with the Immigration Department at the desk stated in the letter to collect a residence permit.

4. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database of the municipality where you are going to live. A legalized and translated birth certificate and some other documents are required for registration.

5. Basic health insurance with a Dutch insurer is required to stay in the Netherlands. Students are required to make an appointment with the Area Health Authority (GGD) within three months of receiving a residence permit. They must carry a TB test referral form with them.

Conditions Associated with Netherlands Student Visa

There are few terms and conditions that you need to follow to keep the visa active. If you fail to do so, the visa might get canceled.

• The maximum period of residence permit is five years.
• The validity of visa is the duration of the study period, with an additional three months.
• Students get one additional year of preparatory education if they are accepted via provisional admission.
• International students are only allowed to work for an employer having a TMV.
• Part-time paid employment is allowed for a maximum 16 hours a week during the time of active classes
• Full-time employment is allowed during the summer holidays
• Students can work on a self-employed basis after registering with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
• Internships relevant to study programs are allowed even without a TWV.
• Study exchange programs with institutions outside the Netherlands are allowed for less than 12 months.

Student visas in Netherlands have a 99% acceptance rate. Immigration department does not reject the visa as long as all conditions are satisfactorily fulfilled. International students should provide only correct information and refrain from using any malpractices to speed up the process.

FAQs

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