Netherlands student visas
If you are a non-EU student, you do not apply for a Dutch student visa yourself. Your institution — which must be a recognised sponsor with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (the IND) — applies on your behalf for the entry visa (the MVV) and the residence permit together. Figures and rules change, so always confirm the current requirements on official sites before you commit.
How the process works
Your application runs through the TEV procedure (Toegang en Verblijf — "Entry and Residence"). Because your recognised-sponsor institution submits it for you, the steps are simpler than in many countries:
- Get accepted by a Dutch institution that is a recognised sponsor with the IND.
- The institution applies for your MVV (entry visa) and residence permit together under the TEV procedure.
- You collect your MVV sticker and then travel to the Netherlands.
- After arrival you collect your residence permit and register locally.
Proof of funds
You must show you can support yourself. For 2026 the figure is €1,130.77 per month — roughly €13,569 per year. This amount is set by the authorities and updated periodically, so check the current figure with your institution and the IND before you apply. See our cost of living in the Netherlands guide for the wider budget picture.
Working and post-study options
Your residence permit allows limited work, but your employer must arrange a work permit (a TWV) — see our working in the Netherlands guide. After you graduate you can apply for the orientation year (zoekjaar), a one-year residence permit with free access to the labour market.
Official sources: Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Study in NL (Nuffic), Government of the Netherlands.