VVR process (+ deadlines)
Steps of the residence permit application
The residence permit application process can be divided into three steps:
- Uploading your documents in our online system Osiris Online Application;
- Awaiting the IND decision;
- Going to the necessary appointments once you are in the Netherlands.
Step 1: Completing your application in Osiris
Complete your application in OSIRIS Online Application. We can start your residence permit application if you have been unconditionally accepted, or if the only condition you have not yet met is graduation from your current studies. You need to upload a scan of the following documents:
- Passport
- Proof of payment tuition fee*
- Proof of financial means
- Antecedents certificate
- TB declaration (if applicable)
- Proof of health insurance**
For more information on these documents and the requirements, please go to Required documents for a Dutch Study Residence Permit application.
We also need to have received the following payments:
- Tuition fee for the first year. You will receive an invoice in May.
- Residence permit application fee (€257). You will be asked to complete this payment in Osiris Online Application as part of the application form. We accept VISA, MasterCard (debit or credit card), iDEAL, Bancontact and Sofort. This fee is non-refundable.
*You do not need to pay the tuition fee if you are an exchange student.
**You need to have proof of health insurance, however you are not required to upload it in your Osiris Online Application.
Step 2: IND decision
Once your application is complete and all your documents are approved, we will send your application to the IND. The IND takes 2-5 weeks to process applications. Once your application is approved, the IND will send us an official letter of approval by post. Unfortunately, we cannot say how long it will take for the letter to arrive at our office.
You will be notified by e-mail as soon as we have received the approval letter. Realistically it can take up to 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) for you to receive confirmation from us that your application is approved.
We strongly recommend that you not book your flight to the Netherlands until after you have received confirmation that your residence permit application is approved.
NOTE: You do NOT need to go to the Dutch embassy for a visa to enter the Netherlands
Step 3: fulfilling obligations after arrival in the Netherlands
We will e-mail you after you have arrived in the Netherlands about the following required appointments:
- Submitting your biometric data: the IND needs to register your fingerprints, photo and signature for your residence permit card.
- Registering with the municipality: For your residence permit to remain valid, you must register with the municipality in the city where you will be living. You can find more information on this government website: When do I have to register with a Dutch municipality? | Netherlands Worldwide
- Collecting your residence permit card: You will need to collect your residence permit from the IND once it is ready. The UU will inform you about where and when to pick it up.
- Tuberculosis (TB) testing: Only applicable to certain nationalities. Please check if this step applies to you drop down TB declaration.
Timeline if you are starting your study programme in September
Second week of May | You can start uploading your documents in Osiris Online Application. You will be notified via e-mail once the application process is open |
15 June | Deadline to submit your application and pay your fees |
July/August | The IND takes 2-5 weeks to reach a decision. You will be notified of the decision via e-mail |
September | Arrival in the Netherlands! You will receive information via e-mail about the following appointments:
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Timeline if you are starting your study programme in February
Second week of October | You can start uploading your documents in Osiris Online Application. You will be notified via e-mail once the application process is open |
15 November | Deadline to submit your application and pay your fees |
December/January | The IND takes 2-5 weeks to reach a decision. You will be notified of the decision via e-mail |
February | Arrival in the Netherlands! You will receive information via e-mail about the following appointments:
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