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© 2026 Visa AtlasReviewed continuously. Last sweep: 23 July 2026
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  4. Dutch Student residence permit

🇳🇱 Kingdom of the Netherlands · study

Dutch Student residence permit

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 8 July 2026

Source check: all 6 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026

Study residence for international students enrolled at Dutch higher-education institutions.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyProgramme length.
Processing time
2–4 weeks.
Government fees
Around €220.
Typical duration
Programme length.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed 8 July 2026Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Dutch Student residence permit for Kingdom of the Netherlands has typical processing of 2 weeks – 2 months. Sources: official Kingdom of the Netherlands government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/netherlands/student-nl#answer

What is the Dutch Student residence permit in Kingdom of the Netherlands?

Dutch Student residence permit is a sponsor-led Netherlands route. Indicative government fees are Around €220; indicative processing time is 2–4 weeks; typical duration is Programme length. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) on 22 June 2026.

OverviewEligibilityPathwayApplyFAQ

Overview

Non-EEA students studying at accredited Dutch institutions apply for a student residence permit, which doubles as MVV for many nationalities. The institution acts as recognised sponsor. Students can work part-time and transition to the Orientation Year after graduation.

ℹ️ Who can apply?

You need an approved sponsor in Kingdom of the Netherlands before applying. This route does not lead to permanent residence. Open to qualifying applicants from all countries.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓Offer from recognised Dutch institution.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
  • ✓Sufficient funds.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
  • ✓Health insurance.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗

Common blockers

  • !Unrecognised institution.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗

Typical evidence

  • ·Acceptance letter.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
  • ·Funds evidence.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗

Application pathway

  1. 01

    Enrol

    Accept offer at recognised institution.

  2. 02

    Institution files residence application

    As recognised sponsor.

  3. 03

    Travel and register

    Collect MVV; register BRP.

  4. 04

    Transition to Orientation Year

    Apply for Zoekjaar within 3 years of graduation.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceSchool
    School submits study permit ↗

    Recognised educational institutions use this IND page to prepare and submit the student residence application.

    Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · verified 22 June 2026

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Around €220.. A decision then typically takes 2 weeks – 2 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

  • Processing time detail

    Current decision windows from the issuing authority.

Matches these professions

Student

Also explored by

🇮🇳 Indian🇵🇭 Filipino🇳🇬 Nigerian

Compare Kingdom of the Netherlands with

  • 🇽🇰 Republic of Kosovo
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland

Related routes

  • Orientation year (Zoekjaar)

    Free 1-year permit to live and work in the Netherlands while you look for a job — open to recent graduates of Dutch universities or top-ranked global universities. No job offer needed to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can international students work in the Netherlands?+−

Yes — up to 16 hours per week during term or full-time during summer, with a work permit typically arranged by the employer.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Netherlands

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)

Last checked: 22 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.

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