International prospective Exchange students

'At this moment, education is held on campus, and the expectation is that it will stay on location. For up to date information on the guidelines set in place by the Dutch Government, check the current state of affairs page. 

Utrecht University will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation, and policies on virtual classes or classes on location may be revised depending on the guidelines of the Dutch Government and Dutch National Health Institute RIVM. For up to date information on the guidelines set in place by the Dutch Government, check the current state of affairs page. 

We expect all exchange students to be physically present in Utrecht. Contact your programme coordinator or check the students website for more information.

More information on travel to the Netherlands can be found on the website of the Dutch Government.

You can find more information on the website of the Dutch government. On our website we have collected frequently asked questions.

The information on the UU Orientation for new international students can be found on our website for Exchange Students.

For housing that is booked via the Reserved Accommodation Programme, you can find the conditions for cancellation on the website for Exchange students.

If you arranged housing via another housing provider (not SSH Short Stay), a private landlord or home owner, you need to contact them directly for information.

Please be aware that when you enter into a rental agreement via the Reserved Accommodation Programme you are required to pay the monthly rent as of the starting date of the rental period. This means that if you arrive later in the semester or year, irrespective of the reason for your belated arrival, you will still have to pay the rent for the full duration of the contract. It is also not possible to defer the booking to a later start date or the next semester. For more information on the Reserved Accommodation Programme, please visit our website for Exchange students.

If you arranged housing via another housing provider (not SSH Short Stay), a private landlord or home owner, you need to contact them directly for information.

You require a registration with the municipality on a legal address, documented by a proof of tenancy such as a rental agreement, for access to health care, a General Physician, and the Dutch vaccination programme. Due to the highly unusual times of the pandemic, and the importance of having access to health care, you are advised not to proceed with your Exchange if you have not found housing in advance.

Visit our website for information on ways to find housing. 

If you have not found housing prior to the start of your studies in Utrecht, we advise you not to proceed with your Exchange.

Visit our website for information on ways to find housing. 

The application procedures will be started up in May. Your exchange coordinator will send an email inviting you to start your digital application as soon as the procedure has been started up.

You will receive instructions on how to submit your visa/residence permit application in May. Information about the application procedure will become available on our website at that time.

We strongly recommend you to submit your application as soon as possible, and well in advance of the deadline, as it takes time to process your application.

Once your application (including payment) is complete, we can submit it to the IND. Due to the current corona situation, it may take the IND longer than the usual 2-5 weeks to process the application. As soon as we receive the decision from the IND, we will inform you by email. This email will also include information on the next step, including scheduling an appointment at the embassy or consulate for your visa.

We cannot predict whether changes will be made to travel regulations, the availability of Dutch embassies/consulates in affected areas, and so on. The Visa Office will monitor this, and provide information on measures that may have an impact on the application procedure.

Please contact your exchange coordinator, as your visa/residence permit must be cancelled as soon as possible.

Yes, unless the application has already been submitted to the IND.

If you need an MVV entry visa: we strongly recommend not to book your flight until you have received the MVV entry visa in your passport. This advice remains the same even if the processing times at the Dutch embassy/consulate are longer than customary due to the corona crisis.  

If you do not need an MVV entry visa: we strongly recommend not to book your flight until you have received the IND approval letter on your residence permit application.  

Before booking your flight, you should also check the latest travel policies of your own government for any restrictions about leaving (and returning to) your country. Be aware that as long as there are travel restrictions in place, the availability of flights to and from the Netherlands may be limited. 

For more information, please visit this page.

Please already submit your digital application in Osiris in the meantime, so we can start checking your other documents. You may upload the Aon confirmation email as proof of insurance for now. The visa department will contact you about where you can sent the certificate once it becomes available.

You will have to wait until you can travel to the location of the embassy again. As soon as this is possible, book your appointment and travel to the embassy to collect your MVV. Travel to the Netherlands with your MVV as soon as possible upon receiving it. 

If you cannot travel to the Netherlands before 1 September, please contact your exchange coordinator. If your exchange is cancelled, your visa/residence permit must be cancelled as well.

The IND has now decided that you can collect your MVV within 6 months of the original date of approval, if you can explain that you could not collect your MVV sooner  because of the corona crisis (such as travel restrictions, closure of embassy/consulate). If you could not pick up your MVV even within the 6 months period due to the coronavirus, you have to apply for a new MVV.

If you cannot travel to the Netherlands before 1 September, please contact your exchange coordinator. If your exchange is cancelled, your visa/residence permit must be cancelled as well.

If you cannot travel to the Netherlands before September, please contact your exchange coordinator to discuss your situation. If your exchange is cancelled, your visa/residence permit must be cancelled as well.

If you have any specific questions about your visa/residence application process, that are not answered in this FAQ or on this website, please contact visa@uu.nl

If you have any specific questions about your exchange, please contact your exchange coordinator.

No, this is not possible. If you wish to apply for an Exchange for next academic year instead, you would be required to submit a new application and your home university needs to nominate you again. Please contact them and follow their procedures. Also inform your Utrecht University Exchange Coordinator.