Residence Permit
Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a residence permit if you wish to stay in the Netherlands longer than 90 days.
Dutch terms and abbreviations
When dealing with immigration procedures, you will come across the following important Dutch terms and abbreviations:
- Verblijfsvergunning regulier (VVR): Residence permit
- Machtiging voor voorlopig verblijf (MVV): Dutch entry visa and temporary residence permit
- Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND): Immigration and Naturalisation Service
How does it work?
The residence permit is a plastic card the size of a credit card, issued by the Dutch Immigration Service (IND). This card serves as proof of your identity, nationality and lawful residence in the Netherlands. It allows you to enter and exit the Netherlands and travel in the Schengen area. Note that the period of stay in other Schengen countries is limited to a maximum of 90 days. If you intend to stay longer, you must comply with the immigration regulations of the country in question.
Some foreign nationals may need a Dutch entry visa (MVV) first to be able to enter the Netherlands. After the combined application for MVV and VVR has been approved, you can collect this visa from the embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Foreign nationals that already hold a Dutch residence permit may require a different application. If this is the case for you, please contact our office.
KCIS will help apply for a Dutch residence permit for you and, if applicable, your family members. The type of residence permit you can obtain is determined by your work duties and your personal situation.
We will assess carefully which type of residence permit is suitable for you, based on the information provided to us during the onboarding process. We will assist you throughout the process and liaise with the IND on your behalf. Keep in mind that if your residence permit is linked to your employment, you may not apply for it by yourself. The costs of applying for your own residence permit are borne by University Maastricht, unless otherwise specified.
When you leave the Netherlands
If you have a Dutch residence permit and leave the country not to return here, do not forget to hand over your (expired) residence permit at the airport ID checkpoint in the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can return it by mail to the IND from abroad later. Note that it is your personal responsibility to do this.
When permanently leaving the Netherlands, you are also required to deregister from your Dutch municipality of residence.
Check-out the useful checklist from NetherlandsWorldwide when moving abroad