Netherlands visaStudy in the NetherlandsNetherlands student residence permit for Indian students
Indian students admitted to a Dutch university of applied sciences or research university do not apply for a visa themselves: the institution, a recognised sponsor with the IND, files the combined entry visa and residence permit application (TEV) for EUR 254 in 2026, the IND decides within two weeks for most files, and the student collects the MVV sticker at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai. Living costs of EUR 1,130.77 a month, EUR 13,569.24 for a year, must be transferred to the university or shown in the student's account, on top of tuition of EUR 8,000 to 25,000. Students may work 16 hours a week or full time in June, July and August, and graduates can stay a year on the orientation permit.
6 min read Verified 29 October 2026 against ind.nl · How we verify
Netherlands student residence permit: quick answers
- Who qualifies for a Dutch student residence permit?
- Students with an unconditional offer for a full-time accredited programme at a Dutch institution that is a recognised sponsor (every university and university of applied sciences, and most foundation-year providers), who meet the institution's English requirement (IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, TOEFL or an equivalent), show living costs of EUR 1,130.77 a month for 2026 and hold a passport valid for the programme plus three months. Indian students are the second largest non-EU group after Chinese, concentrated in engineering, data science, business and design at TU Delft, Eindhoven, Twente, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen, Rotterdam and the universities of applied sciences.
- What does it cost?
- EUR 254 for the IND application covering the MVV and the residence permit, usually collected by the university with the tuition deposit; there is no separate embassy fee for the MVV. Tuition for non-EU students runs EUR 8,000 to 15,000 for bachelor's and EUR 12,000 to 25,000 for master's programmes, and Dutch health insurance is needed only once the student works or does a paid internship (about EUR 150 a month, offset by a healthcare allowance).
- How long does it take from India?
- The IND aims to decide applications from recognised sponsors within two weeks and must decide within 90 days; universities file after the deposit and the living-cost transfer, typically four to eight weeks before the September start. The embassy issues the MVV within about ten days of the IND's approval letter, and the residence card is collected in the Netherlands within two weeks of registration. Start the admission process in winter and complete the deposit by June.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Entry visa (MVV) plus residence permit for study (VVR), issued together through the institution |
| Government fee | EUR 254 in 2026, paid through the institution |
| Processing | About 2 weeks at the IND for recognised sponsors; 90 days by law; MVV at the embassy within about 10 days |
| Funds | EUR 1,130.77 a month (EUR 13,569.24 a year) for 2026, transferred to the institution or shown in the student's account |
| Work rights | 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August, with a work permit (TWV) obtained by the employer; internships through the study agreement |
| Permit duration | Programme length plus 3 months; renewed by the institution if the course runs longer |
| After graduation | Orientation year residence permit (EUR 254) within 3 years |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against ind.nl fees and required amounts for 2026 |
How the sponsor system works, and what the IND checks
Dutch institutions act as recognised sponsors: they verify the admission, the English level and the funds, file the TEV application on the IND portal, pay the EUR 254 fee on the student's behalf and remain responsible for reporting enrolment, progress and withdrawal. The IND checks the passport, the antecedents certificate signed by the student, a tuberculosis test commitment (not required for Indian nationals since India is not on the TB-exempt list, so Indian students take the test within three months of arrival), and the financial means for the first year.
The funds norm for 2026 is EUR 1,130.77 a month for hbo and university students, EUR 13,569.24 for twelve months, shown either by transferring the amount to the institution's account (most universities require this) or by a bank statement in the student's own name; parental statements are accepted by some institutions with a sponsorship declaration, and education loans with the sanction letter. Tuition is paid separately and in most cases before the application is filed. Students with a scholarship (Holland Scholarship, Orange Tulip, university awards) deduct the grant from the amount to show.
Programmes must be accredited (NVAO) and full-time; preparatory years count when offered by a recognised sponsor. The permit is issued for the programme length plus three months and renewed by the institution when students need longer; progress of at least 50 per cent of credits each year is reported to the IND, and institutions must deregister students who fall below it.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IND application (MVV + residence permit), 2026 | EUR 254 | Collected by the institution; not refunded |
| Permit extension or change of purpose | EUR 254 | Filed by the institution |
| Tuberculosis test | Free at the GGD | Within 3 months of arrival; Indian nationals required |
| Tuition, bachelor's | EUR 8,000 to 15,000 a year | Paid to the institution |
| Tuition, master's | EUR 12,000 to 25,000 a year | Paid to the institution |
| Dutch health insurance (when working) | About EUR 150 a month | Healthcare allowance of up to about EUR 120 a month offsets it |
| Living costs to show | EUR 13,569.24 for 2026 | Transferred to the institution or in own account |
The Netherlands has no biometric, courier or embassy MVV fee for students. Vistolane shows the EUR 254 IND fee as listed and the tuition and living-cost transfer separately on the Netherlands destination page.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Admission and deposit
Unconditional offer; pay tuition (or the deposit the institution requires) and transfer the living costs of EUR 13,569.24 where required.
- 2
Submit the visa documents to the institution
Passport copy, antecedents certificate, proof of funds, photo meeting Dutch requirements, signed forms; the institution files the TEV on the IND portal and pays EUR 254.
- 3
IND decision in about 2 weeks
Approval letter sent to the institution and the embassy; the institution tells you to book the MVV appointment.
- 4
Collect the MVV at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai
Within 3 months of approval; passport, photo, approval letter; sticker issued in about 10 days; travel within the 90-day MVV validity.
- 5
Arrive and register
Municipality registration (BSN) within 5 days, collect the residence card at the IND desk, tuberculosis test at the GGD within 3 months, open a bank account.
Timeline for a September intake
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | January to May | Offer and deposit; some deadlines 1 April or 1 May for non-EU |
| Living-cost transfer and documents | May to June | Institution's visa deadline, usually 1 June to 1 July |
| IND decision | About 2 weeks | Recognised sponsor fast track |
| MVV at the embassy | About 10 days | Book as soon as the approval arrives |
| Arrival and card | August | BSN, residence card, TB test |
Most Dutch universities set a visa documents deadline of 1 June for September; students who miss it may still make it but risk starting late. February intakes follow the same sequence with deadlines in October or November.
After arrival: work, internships, family and what comes next
Students may work up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August, once the employer obtains a work permit (TWV) from the UWV, which takes two to five weeks and is routinely granted; internships that are part of the programme need no permit but need a tripartite agreement. Working triggers compulsory Dutch health insurance (about EUR 150 a month) with a healthcare allowance available to offset it. Spouses and children can join as family members of a student with the student showing the family income norm, which few students meet; most families follow once the graduate holds a highly skilled migrant permit.
Graduates have three years to apply for the orientation year residence permit (EUR 254), which gives twelve months of free access to the labour market and a reduced salary threshold of EUR 3,122 a month for the highly skilled migrant permit afterwards; the Netherlands orientation year and highly skilled migrant route pages set out both. Study years count half toward the five years for permanent residence.
Document checklist: identity and forms
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid for the programme plus 3 months | Copy of all pages |
| Antecedents certificate | Signed declaration of no criminal record |
| Photo meeting Dutch passport-photo requirements | Supplied to the institution |
| Signed authorisation for the institution to file | Institution's visa forms |
Study
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Unconditional admission letter | Accredited full-time programme |
| Academic certificates and transcripts | 10th, 12th, degree |
| English test | IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or equivalent, as the institution requires |
Funds
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Living costs of EUR 1,130.77 a month for the first year | Transfer to the institution or own-name statement |
| Tuition paid or deposit | As the institution requires |
| Scholarship letter, if any | Deducted from the amount to show |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Funds not shown
Transfer short of EUR 13,569.24 or a statement in a parent's name without a sponsorship declaration.
The fix. Transfer the full amount to the institution or show own-name funds; add the loan or scholarship letter.
Documents incomplete or unclear
Passport copy missing pages or an unsigned antecedents certificate.
The fix. Follow the institution's checklist exactly; the IND asks for completion and the two-week clock restarts.
Admission conditional
Offer dependent on results or English not yet met.
The fix. Meet the conditions before the institution files; IND requires an unconditional offer.
MVV not collected in time
Approval lapsed after 3 months.
The fix. Book the embassy appointment as soon as the approval letter arrives.
Insufficient progress at renewal
Under 50 per cent of credits in the year.
The fix. Keep progress above the norm; institutions must deregister students who do not.
Official sources
Netherlands student residence permit questions
Other Netherlands routes
Visit the Netherlands
Schengen visa (type C)
EUR 90 per adult (EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11; free under 6)
Read the route
Work in the Netherlands
Highly skilled migrant permit (kennismigrant)
EUR 423 IND fee for the entry visa and residence permit (2026)
Read the route
Join family in the Netherlands
Partner and family residence permit
EUR 254 IND fee per family member (2026); civic integration exam abroad EUR 150 where required
Read the route
Job search after graduating
Orientation year for highly educated persons (zoekjaar)
EUR 254 IND fee (2026); no income requirement at application
Read the route