Netherlands Student Visa: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide

Dreaming of windmills, canals, and world-class universities? Students who want to study in the Netherlands must obtain a Netherlands Student Visa as their initial requirement. The Netherlands positions itself as a prime destination for Indian students because of its superior education quality and its globally prominent universities that offer classes in English.

Understanding the visa requirements and application process related to international education in the Netherlands helps students anticipate and prevent delays and deny admission experiences. We will provide a complete guide in this blog, which covers all necessary information regarding Netherlands student visa fees in addition to SOP guidelines and study work regulations.

What is the Netherlands Study Permit?

The Netherlands student visa combines two distinct permits that non-EU/EEA students need to obtain: the MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) for entry and the VVR (Verblijfsvergunning Regulier) for staying in the country.

The MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) serves as a long-stay entry visa enabling entry into the Netherlands.

The VVR (Verblijfsvergunning Regulier) residence permit enables students to live in the Netherlands throughout their educational period.

Universities in Netherlands handle student permit applications for both MVV and VVR after they admit new students. The IND (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst) functions as the immigration authority responsible for issuing permits in the Netherlands.

Types of Netherlands Student Visa

The Netherlands Student visa program contains two main visa types.

Netherlands short-stay student visa: The authorities issue this visa when your education lasts for less than three months.
Netherlands student visa for secondary and vocational courses: Student citizens of Indonesia, South Africa and Suriname automatically receive this visa unless other eligibility requirements apply. Students who apply for such residence permits both have Dutch relatives and demonstrate proficiency in the Dutch language.
Netherlands long-stay student visa: The student residence permit which is also called a student permit enables students to Study in Netherlands for up to five years.

When to Apply for a Student Visa in the Netherlands?

Student visa applications for the Netherlands must be submitted during an appropriate period. The application window for your educational program should open between three to six months prior to the start date of classes.

Here’s a quick timeline:

February intake: Apply between August to October
September intake: Apply between February to May

Your application process at universities spans 2–4 weeks before your visa request reaches the IND for review. Students typically wait from 2 to 4 weeks to obtain a final decision after application submission. Add additional time buffers to your planning for document creation, together with potential unforeseen events.

Who Needs a Netherlands Student Visa?

All students who wish to study in the Netherlands must have both a Netherlands student visa and a residence permit, except for these four groups.

• Citizens from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
• A family member of a citizen from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. International students from this category do not need to obtain a Netherlands residence permit yet, but must request Verification against EU Law (certificate of lawful residence).
• Students who fit the specified categories need to register with the Dutch local authorities when studying in the Netherlands for three months.

Netherlands Student Visa Duration

Students can anticipate their MVV to be processed in sixty days through the ‘Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf’ (Dutch Provisional Residence Permit) system. Students should start their application process right away because processing times may exceed the expected sixty-day timeframe. A student visa application for the Netherlands requires submission three months before the start of the academic program.

The VVR processing takes only two weeks to complete. Students need to establish a physical presence in the Netherlands before they can receive this visa.

Netherlands Student Visa Fee

International students who need a visa for Dutch studies must provide €50* as payment to the government. The exact cost depends on the university’s application service and handling fees, since they handle the procedure on your behalf. Students should always check what their university demands regarding this requirement.

Educational institutions include the Visa Application Fee in the ‘Fee Schedule’, which students need to pay during their enrollment confirmation process.

Netherlands Student Visa Requirements

Students need passports, which must be valid for at least twelve months during their visa application process:

• Confirmation of Admission from a Dutch University. Placing your education at a Dutch university stands as official registration confirmation. The Dutch name for this document is HBO (hoger beroepsonderwijs).
• An academic institution receiving student sponsorship from the IND must hold recognition status with this organisation.
• Your academic programme must receive recognition from both the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders through NVAO (in the Netherlands) or the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education through EQAR (Europe).
• Students can stay and study in the Netherlands while meeting the minimum financial requirements (Study Norm) of €957.87*, which the IND sets. The IND reviews this living expense stipulation twice yearly during the months of January and July.

How to Apply for a Netherlands Student Visa (MVV and VVR)?

• After securing your admission to a Dutch university, follow the requirements listed by university officials in their documentation checklist.
• Assess your need for health insurance before getting one
• The necessary steps include following the university’s instructions and filling out university-formatted documents with correct supporting materials.
• You must pay the Netherlands student visa fee amounting to €210* unless your chosen university specifies alternative payment requirements.
• You must gain embassy validation and then schedule an appointment.
• Appear for your scheduled interview while presenting your passport for submission at the venue.
• Your first step at the venue involves an interview procedure. During this interview, the interviewer poses basic questions about your selected University and your decision to study in the Netherlands. Next, they will require your passport presentation before attaching it to your MVV.

The validity period of your MVV extends to only three months from issuance. After your arrival, you need to visit the university office within the designated period to obtain your Residence Permit because this document serves as the essential Requirement for Staying in the Netherlands. Not complying with the terms will result in the cancellation of your Netherlands residency authorisation and automatic deportation. You must follow all university-provided guidelines regarding immersion into Dutch life.

Eligibility Criteria for Netherlands Student Visa

Candidates need to meet certain requirements before they can obtain a Netherlands study visa:

Acceptance into a recognised institution
The Dutch study visa demands evidence showing that you received official acceptance at an institution recognised by Dutch authorities.

Financial means
The Netherlands immigration authority requires you to show evidence that your funds can support your living expenses. Dutch immigration authorities will accept bank statements along with proof of funds certificates.

Health insurance
Students pursuing education need to maintain continuous health insurance during their educational period.

Academic qualifications
Students must hand in academic records representing their qualifications according to the admission standards established by their selected program.

Language proficiency
Your English proficiency could be mandatory since different programs have varying language requirements. Selection criteria demand an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.0 or a minimum or evidence of prior education taught in English.

Documents Required for Netherlands Student Visa

Students are advised to check out the list of Netherlands student visa mentioned below:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Your visa application can proceed using an authorised and signed visa form.
• Students must demonstrate enrollment acceptance together with secured accommodation plans spanning at least one academic year.
• Health insurance documents
• Financial proof
• Academic transcripts
• Applicants must pass standardised examinations, which include the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

Netherlands Student Visa Part-Time Work

International students who study in the Netherlands can perform part-time work up to 16 hours weekly, but may work full-time hours during the June, July and August periods. Students cannot do both.

Students must obtain their work permit through an employer submitting an application. Your academic institution should confirm your enrollment status while providing a study permit copy to process the application.

Students can choose to work independently in the country. You must file tax reporting after establishing a Chamber of Commerce membership.

Scholarships for Studying in the Netherlands

European higher education institutions rank the Netherlands as one of their most preferred locations for international students. Numerous international students prefer receiving an academic education from Dutch universities.

Different types of scholarships exist for students through Dutch universities because tuition fees, along with living expenses, can be difficult to manage. Selected main Scholarships for Studying in the Netherlands can be found below.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (Faculty of Science)
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
• Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award
• (ISC)² Women in Information Security Scholarships
• Students who understand the application procedures for a Netherlands student visa must start their application process in advance to prevent late complications.

The Netherlands student visa approval marks a significant achievement toward studying in the country. Students benefit from the Netherlands’ internationally established academic programmes, attractive career possibilities and welcoming atmosphere which provides an exceptional educational opportunity.

Students who receive proper guidance can achieve successful visa application outcomes despite the required documentation timeline and standard operating procedures. Students who choose MetaApply IE receive complete support for college admissions and visa procedures that ensure their academic journey remains focused on their ambitions while the documents are handled by the platform.

*Note: All prices mentioned are approximate values. Students should check official government websites or the respective university websites for exact figures.