After arrival
After you have arrived in the Netherlands, there are also a few things that you will need to organise. You can use this checklist to help you on your way.
VVR only process: To issue a residence permit card, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) must collect your so-called biometric data. Because you have applied for a student residence permit, you are therefore required to visit the IND desk at the International Welcome Centre in Utrecht. During your appointment you are going to have a passport photo made, your fingerprints taken, and your signature recorded.
You will receive an e-mail from the Visa Office once it is possible to make an appointment with the IND.
MVV & VVR process: If you will have a MVV (entry visa) you have already provided your biometric data at the embassy. Should it turn out that this data is incomplete, then you will also receive an e-mail to go the IND, to provide your biometric again.
If you are staying in the Netherlands for more than four months to study, you need to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database at the Burgerzaken (civic registration) department of your city of residence. Upon registration you will receive your citizen service number (BSN).
Students who need a residence permit are required by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to register with the city where they live. This is a condition for your residence permit.
You must register in the city where you live. If you live in Utrecht, this is located at Burgerzaken, Stadsplateau 1, Utrecht.
You can plan your visit using the online appointment module set up by the civic registration department at the municipality (in Dutch: Burgerzaken). You need to plan your appointment as soon as possible after your arrival in the Netherlands. Please note that your rental contract needs to be valid at the time of your appointment and that you need to bring a signed copy. See the Utrecht Region website for more information about how to register as a new student and how to make an appointment.
You will receive an e-mail with further instructions closer to the start of the study programme.
Why should I register with the municipality?
If you are staying for more than four months in the Netherlands, you are legally required to go to the city council and register as a new resident of the town where you are living. This procedure is mandatory, irrespective of your nationality or purpose of stay. If you are moving within the Netherlands, you must also inform your (new) municipality. Upon registration you will receive your citizen service number (BSN).
Students who need a residence permit are required by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to register with the city where they live. This is a condition for your residence permit.
The municipal personal records database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen, abbreviated to ‘BRP’) contains information about all residents of the municipality. This includes personal and address details. The database is used as a source of information by various other organisations including the IND, the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) and SVB (Social Security Agency). These organisations rely on the address details as listed in the municipal database.
What should I bring to my appointment with the municipality of Utrecht?
- A valid form of identification - passport (or identity card: EU citizens only)
- If you have received a MVV visa, you should bring your passport with the MVV sticker to the registration appointment
- If you require a residence permit only, you must bring the approval letter from the IND. You will find this letter attached to the confirmation e-mail your will receive from UU
- A tenancy agreement or purchase contract for your home;
- A proof of de-registration if you are coming from Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius.
I do not have a rental contract as I am living with someone else/at someone else’s address. What should I do?
In this case, you must provide a Verklaring bewoning adres form from the municipality of Utrecht filled in by the homeowner/main resident confirming that you live at that address and a copy of the passport of the homeowner/main resident.
How do I register with the municipality if I live outside Utrecht?
You must register in the city where you live. If you live in Utrecht, this is located at Burgerzaken, Stadsplateau 1, Utrecht. We have listed a number of municipalities near Utrecht below, as well as links to web pages where you can make an appointment to register with these municipalities. As the web pages are in Dutch, we recommend using your browser’s translation tools.
- Stichtse Vecht (Maarssen and surrounding villages): make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Click “Ga verder naar stap 2” and choose a date and time. Go to the next step and enter your personal details. Then confirm the appointment.
- Nieuwegein: make an appointment here. Select the ‘Eerste inschrijving komende uit het buitenland (intake)’ product (translation: First registration coming from abroad (intake)). Then select ‘selecteer datum en tijd’ for the date. Now enter your personal details and confirm the appointment.
- De Bilt: make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Then select ‘selecteer een datum’ for the date. Now enter your personal details and confirm the appointment.
- Zeist: make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Click “bewaar en ga verder.” Then choose a date and time and enter your personal details. Then confirm the appointment.
If you require help with making an appointment, do not hesitate to contact Student Services by sending an e-mail to studentservices@uu.nl.
After you have provided your biometric data and registered with the municipality, your Dutch residence permit card will be issued. You do not have to contact Utrecht University or the IND to pick up your residence permit, or to check on its status. As soon as your residence permit card is ready to be collected, Utrecht University will inform you when you can pick up your residence permit.
IMPORTANT: the Dutch student residence permit card serves as your ID card in the Netherlands. You must therefore always carry the card with you.
It is practical to have a Dutch IBAN bank account while studying in the Netherlands. You may need it to pay the tuition fee by bank transfer or to receive your scholarship. However, a Dutch bank account is also very useful for everyday matters such as arranging a mobile phone contract.
When you open a Dutch bank account, you will receive a debit card that you can use to pay at cafeterias, photocopiers, printers, soft drink and snack vending machines on campus (where you cannot pay in cash!), or in shops and supermarkets where credit cards are not commonly accepted. In addition, a Dutch bank account allows you to withdraw cash from ATMs without paying a fee.
Please note that if you have an IBAN bank account with a Maestro card, you may not need to open a Dutch account.
General requirements for opening a Dutch bank account
There are three main requirements for opening a Dutch bank account:
- You must have a valid identification document (for non-EU students: passport only);
- You must have a Dutch address where you will live during your stay;
- You need proof of enrolment at the university.
Banks will also usually ask for your ‘BSN’ number. This is a unique identification number assigned by the Dutch government, which you obtain when you register with the municipality. Note: ABN AMRO does not require a 'BSN' number for students. Banks will usually only allow you to open a bank account if you stay in the Netherlands for at least one full semester (five months).
Bank branch in Utrecht city centre
Because opening a bank account can be a lengthy procedure, we suggest that you make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible after your arrival. Several banks offer international students the opportunity to open a Dutch bank account. The following bank branch is situated at a central location in Utrecht city centre:
- ABN AMRO Bank is located at Stadsplateau 20-21 in Utrecht. The terms and conditions for a student bank account and contact information can be found on the ABN AMRO Bank website
Other money matters
Even if you intend to open a Dutch bank account, you still need to have other means of payment at your disposal after your arrival as opening a Dutch bank account takes time. We therefore strongly suggest that you bring:
- A bank card that allows you to use an ATM in the Netherlands. Check with your bank to make sure it will work in Dutch ATMs.
- A credit card (VISA or Mastercard).
As a Dutch student residence permit holder, you need to take a few things into account when it comes to keeping your residence permit for study purposes. Not following any of the following requirements means that the IND will revoke your residence permit.
- If your nationality is not on the list, you must take a TB test within 3 months of arriving. More information about the TB test can be found here. (Required documents for a Dutch Study Residence Permit application, drop down TB declaration). You will receive an e-mail from the Visa Office after your study programme started.
- You must register at the municipality when you arrive in the Netherlands and remain registered during the entirety of your stay. This means that you need to report it to the municipality any time you move.
- Your main residency must be in the Netherlands. You may stay outside the Netherlands for a maximum of 1 continuous year for as long as your residence permit is valid. This is allowed if you are temporarily going abroad for education, so you can complete your studies in the Netherlands. Are you going to study temporarily in a different country? In that case, you can study in the other country for a maximum of 360 days (about 12 months), but you do have to notify the UU of this. We will then notify the IND. The IND adds up any separate periods.
- You must remain registered as a student. Deregistration means that your residence permit will be revoked. If you decide to come back to study at UU after you have deregistered, you will have to apply for a new residence permit (VVR) and/or entry visa (MVV).
- You must validate your residence permit on a yearly basis. This means that you will be asked to declare that you or your sponsor still have sufficient financial means to cover your tuition fee and living expenses.
- You must maintain sufficient study progress, meaning that you must obtain at least 50% of the credits you can earn in a year. More information about the Academic progress can be found here. (After Arrival, drop down Requirements Study residence permit, under Academic progress). You will receive an e-mail from the Visa Office after your study programme started.