EU/EER nationals

If you are a citizens of EU or EEA member states* or Switzerland want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 3 months, a residence permit is not compulsory, but may be handy.

Some institutions (including the Tax and Customs Administration and banks) may ask for it. You can use it for instance to open a bank account in the Netherlands.

If you register, you must demonstrate the purpose of your residence with documentation. For example, if someone is here to work, an employer's statement must be presented. After registration you will immediately receive from the IND a declaration of registration that is attached as a sticker in your passport (or other identity papers). This sticker that will remain valid for as long as the person remains in the Netherlands. In order to register, an appointment must always be made by telephone. You can use the telephone number 0900-1234561 or from abroad: +31 20 889 30 45.

Please note: Anyone who registers with the IND must first be registered with the Local Government Office of the city where they reside. 

Family members of EU citizens, who themselves are not citizens of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, must still submit a request for verification against EU Community Law. This also applies to citizens of Bulgaria and Romania, as long as the EU job market is still restricted for citizens from these countries.

 * EU or EEA member states are: Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, UK, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. 

Registration with the IND is free of charge.

For further information about the IND registration, please check www.ind.nl 
The IND (immigration authorities) have set up a website were you can check what you need to do when relocating to the Netherlands: http://www.newtoholland.nl/immigration/app/en/checklist/

  
Non-EU/EER nationals

Non-EU nationals need to apply for a residence permit before coming to the Netherlands. In most cases you do also need a temporary entry permit (MVV, see below) before being able to apply for the residence permit.  If you are a national of a country that does not have an MVV obligation, and you entered the Netherlands without an MVV, you must report to the Aliens police (IND) within 3 working days.

You must also meet the following conditions: 

• you must have a valid passport 
• you must have health insurance with cover in the Netherlands 
• you must not constitute a risk to public order 
• you must be prepared to undergo an examination for tuberculosis 
• you must have sufficient funds.   
  

Requirements for each purpose of stay:

You will have to come to the Netherlands with a certain purpose, for instance to live with your family, work here or study here. The reason for your visit is your purpose of stay. For every purpose of stay different requirements apply and different documents are required. For instance, if you have a spouse in the Netherlands with whom you wish to live, you will need to provide a marriage certificate. If you are planning to work for a company in the Netherlands you will need to provide an employment contract
  
Sponsor:

It is very important that you have a sponsor in the Netherlands who will, among other things, act as a guarantor for you. The sponsor could be the family member you will be living with or the employer who will guarantee your income. It may be that you do not have a sponsor. For instance, you can take up residence on a self employed basis without a sponsor. In such cases there are often additional requirements. You must therefore thoroughly prepare your application for a temporary entry permit (MVV) and a residence permit.

Will you need a temporary entry permit (MVV) or not?:

The temporary entry permit (MVV) is a special visa you need for entering the Netherlands. You also need the temporary entry permit (MVV) if you wish to apply for a residence permit.

Not everyone needs a temporary entry permit (MVV), hereafter referred to as MVV. Below is an overview of the main nationalities and situations that are exempt from the MVV requirement. This overview is by no means complete. You can find further information on the website (www.ind.nl), which will also be available in English.

In the following cases, among others, you will not need an MVV:
-You are a national of one of the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, South-Korea, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Iceland, Vatican City, Sweden and Switzerland.

How to apply for an MVV:

Obtaining information:
It is advisable first to find out whether you meet the requirements. These requirements depend on the purpose of your stay. You can also find these requirements on the IND site. You can also call the IND:
-From the Netherlands via telephone number 0900-1234561 (€ 0.10 per minute)
-From countries other than the Netherlands via telephone number +3120 889 30 45.

Application for an MVV:
Assessment of the application:
The IND will assess your application for an MVV. This procedure may take some time. On average an assessment will take three months. For this reason you should not book your trip to the Netherlands until the MVV has been issued.

Apply for an MVV with a request for recommendation:
Prior to your application your sponsor can submit a request for recommendation to the IND so that you will know, in advance, whether you may be eligible for an MVV.

You must submit your application for an MVV via the Dutch embassy or the Dutch consulate.