How to Get a Netherlands Student Visa for Indians (2026 Guide)

Netherlands is an important study-abroad destination due to its education system, cost-effectiveness, English-taught programmes, and safe environment. Those who get admission will have to apply for Netherlands student visa, details of which are covered here.

An Indian Student planning to Study in the Netherlands requires a Visa to enter and stay there for study purposes. Depending on the kind of course the student is planning to undertake, he/she can apply for the relevant student visa – Schengen Visa (for courses less than 3 months) and Entry Visa - MVV and the VVR or the Residence Permit for bachelor's/master's from the Netherlands. 

Unlike other European countries, where students travel to the country and then apply for a residence permit, is not the case in Netherlands. Those who accept their admission offers to study at Dutch universities have to first apply for an MVV (visa) and residence permit and then apply for a student visa. The university in Netherlands that admits, initiates the TEV process including residence permit and visa process, which is then completed by the applicant.

Those who have got an acceptance from their Dutch university, can accept their offer and wait for university to initiate the process. Are you also going to apply soon? Check out all the details here to ease your Dutch student visa application submission.

What is Netherlands Student Visa?

An Indian student planning to study in the Netherlands requires a Visa to enter and stay there for study purposes. Depending on the kind, of course, the student is planning to undertake, he/she can apply for the relevant student visa – Schengen Visa (for courses less than three months) and Entry Visa - MVV and the VVR or the Residence Permit for Bachelor/ Masters from the Netherlands. This guide details the latter, its fee, and the application process in detail. Check: Top Reasons to Study in Netherlands

Entry Visas and Residence Permits

A course that is over 90 days needs a Residence Permit to stay in the Netherlands to complete it. As per the IND (Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service), for students planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, the university/ institute is their ‘Recognized Sponsor’. Under the TEV (Entry and Residence Permit) Procedure, the student's visa would be applied for by the recognised sponsor. The student needs to understand that while the process is essentially the same, it might vary as per university, and he/she is required to follow the guidelines as shared by the University.

Process for Getting Netherlands Student Visa

The student visa for the Netherlands is a two-step process that requires: 

• The MVV or an Entry Visa to enter the Netherlands
• The VVR – or the Residence Permit – is granted to students within a month of their reaching the country

Under the TEV Procedure, the University requests that you provide the necessary documents and submit the form on your behalf to the IND in the Netherlands. Once the IND approves your application, it will grant you an MVV (Provisional Residence Permit), which will be valid for three months. The student can collect the MVV from the Dutch Embassy/ Consulate and then fly to the Netherlands.

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, Students would then be required by their respective universities to apply for a Residence Permit (VVR) within a stipulated time. Again, it may vary as per the university, but is usually stipulated between three to five days. The University then forwards the application for a Permanent Residence Permit, which is issued within the following two weeks.

Usually, student visa processes for studying abroad are tough and vary, and hence, requirements must be checked before applying.

Time Required for the Netherlands Student Visa

Ideally, the MVV or the ‘Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf’ (Dutch for Provisional Residence Permit) is processed in about 60 days. However, it might take longer and you are advised to start immediately. The time advised for the student visa for the Netherlands is about three months before the intended start of the course.

The VVR is processed quicker and takes about two weeks. Students must be present in the Netherlands to be granted this visa.

Netherlands Student Visa Fee 2026

Around €254,00 is charged to international students applying for a visa in the Netherlands for the first time without previous Dutch university education. However, since the universities would be applying on your behalf, the exact fee might vary depending on the service and handling charges. It is always advisable to check the university for this.

Also, most universities would add the Visa Application Fee in the ‘Fee Schedule’, which you would have to pay to confirm your enrollment with the university.

Netherlands Student Visa Requirements

Before applying for a student visa in Netherlands, applicants must look the requirements and then apply. 

• A student must have a valid passport with a validity of at least 12 months at the time of application.
• Confirmation of Admission from a Dutch University. It is proof of registration at a Dutch university. It is called as HBO (hoger beroepsonderwijs). Moreover, the academic institution must be recognised as a sponsor by the IND.
• The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders, or NVAO (in the Netherlands), or the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education, or EQAR (Europe), must recognise your academic programme.
• The IND stipulates the minimum fund requirement (the Study Norm) for university students to stay and study in the Netherlands at €957.87 per month. It is important to note that this is the cost of living as stipulated and is revised twice yearly (on January 1 and July 1).
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (around €957.87 per month)
• Health insurance for the first three months of your stay in the Netherlands. Also, you might be requested for a Tuberculosis test before you travel to the Netherlands.

Other documents required for the Netherlands student visa include:

• Duly filled visa application form
• Photographs
• Academic transcripts
• Birth certificate

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

To understand the process of applying for a Netherlands student visa, applicants can check out the steps below:

• Confirm Your Admission to a Dutch University and prepare the documents as per the university's checklist.
• Pay your tuition fee on Studielink portal if applied at public university in Netherlands. Check if you need health insurance and apply for one
• Follow guidelines of university and complete the forms provided by the university along with the necessary documents.
• Apply for MVV or residence permit and then proceed with the student visa application. A fee of €254 needs to be paid to complete the study visa application in the Netherlands.
• Receive confirmation from the consulate/ embassy and make an appointment
• Attend the visa interview and submit your passport

Once you reach the venue, you will be asked to participate in a brief interview. After that, you will be asked to submit your passport, which will be attached to your MVV.

Remember, the MVV is valid for three months. Also, you would have to report to the university office within the stipulated time to apply for and receive your Residence Permit, without which you cannot stay in the Netherlands. A default in the same could lead to revocation of your stay permissions and immediate deportation. Hence, always follow the guidelines as shared by the university.

Important to Note:

To remain in the Netherlands, students must have their Residence Permits extended, which is only possible if they complete at least 50% of the required credits for that year. For instance, your course mandates 40 credits to pass your first year of studies. To continue staying in the Netherlands, you need to complete at least 20 credits. Universities can, however, waive this condition if they find that there was a reason that did not allow you to complete the mandated 50 per cent. 

Read: Steps to Check Student Visa Status in Europe

Netherlands Student Visa Part-Time Work

International students studying in the Netherlands can work part-time for a maximum of 16 hours per week or, in June, July, and August, students are allowed to work full-time. Students cannot do both. Part-time Jobs in the Netherlands is a benefit that international students can avail themselves of while studying in Netherlands. 

The employer must apply for a work permit on behalf of the student. This application must include a copy of the study permit and confirmation from your academic institution that you are enrolled in their course. They may also work as a self-employed person. To do so, they must pay tax after registering with the Chamber of Commerce.

Scholarships for Studying in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is considered one of the top destinations for pursuing higher studies in Europe. There is a significant number of international students who want to gain knowledge from Dutch universities. However, the cost of living and tuition fees can be prohibitively high; therefore, various scholarships are offered by Dutch universities and institutions. We have given a list of some top scholarships to study in the Netherlands.

• Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award
• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (Faculty of Science)
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
• (ISC) Women in Information Security Scholarships

Apart from the scholarship options, there is also the option to study for free in the Netherlands. This is possible based on the applicant's academic background and standardised exam scores.

How to Improve Chances of Receiving Dutch Student Visa

To improve chances of getting a Dutch study visa, it is essential that applicants follow the process and instructions carefully. Some of the important rules and regulations are as follows:

1. Ensure you meet the deadlines and submit student visa application and fee.
2. Leave no document unuploaded, submit everything.
3. Know when your classes start, so that you can get MVV on time to start education in Netherlands.
4. Apply as soon as you get your letter of enrollment in your mailbox and also accept the offer if there is a need.
5. Keep track of finances and do have a backup plan if plan A fails for funding.
6. Apply to recognised Dutch universities only.
7. Finally, if you need expert advice, do not hesitate to ask for it. 

Applicants who complete their studies in the Netherlands can apply for a Post-Study Work Permit in the Netherlands and stay back for a year or two. In case applicants get a full-time job in any of the popular job sectors in the Netherlands can apply for a PR for the Netherlands. Thus, there are multiple reasons and benefits which international students can enjoy while and after studying in Netherlands. Now that the students know about the Netherlands student visa, they must apply well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.