Residence permit only: steps to take

Source: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students/prepare-your-stay/visa-and-residence-permit/residence-permit-only-steps-to-take Parent: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students/studying-at-leiden-university/career/career-service

Have you checked the visa and residence permit requirements for your nationality? And do you need a residence permit only, and not a visa, for your upcoming studies at Leiden University? Follow the steps below to submit your application.

Deadline

The deadline for submitting your visa/residence permit application and paying the required fee is:

• 1 June: programmes starting in September
• 1 December: programmes starting in February

Applying for a visa/residence permit for accompanying family members? Contact Leiden University before 15 April (Sept start) or 15 Sept (Feb start) for info on additional requirements. Then apply by the earlier deadline of 1 May (Sept start) or 1 Oct (Feb start).

Steps to take

1. Meet your admission conditions

We can only apply for your student residence permit once you have met your admission conditions for a full-time* study programme, if applicable.

* part-time study is not permitted for student residence permit holders.

Where to find your conditions

• Exchange students: check in your online application (uSis) if any conditions apply.
• Degree students: check your decision statement.

How and when to meet your conditions

On the Meet your admission conditions page you can find out how and when to meet your conditions, and what to do if you cannot meet your conditions before the residence permit deadline.

Not yet admitted?

Check the admission and application procedures.

1. Await your residence permit invitation email

This will invite you to start your residence permit application in the uSis visa portal.

• Joining us in September: you will receive this email 24 hours after you have been (conditionally) admitted, but not earlier than 1 April. \

• Joining us in February: you will receive this email 24 hours after you have been (conditionally) admitted.

• Upload the required documents

You will be asked to upload the following documents in the uSis visa portal.

• Copy of your valid passport:
• Include all pages with personal information, visas and entry/exit stamps.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the start date of your study programme. If it will expire earlier, you must renew your passport before applying for your residence permit.\
• Completed and signed Antecedents Certificate:
• Signature must be hand-written (not digital) and match your passport signature.

• If you must answer yes to any of the questions, consult Leiden University before proceeding:

  • Exchange students contact form
  • Degree students contact form

• Upload proof of funds

Carefully read the information on the Proof of funds page, then upload the required items in the uSis visa portal.

Check criteria carefully!\ Make sure your proof of funds documents meet allthe stipulated criteria! Missing or incorrect documents will significantly slow down the processing of your residence permit application.

1. Upload other documents if applicable

If applicable, upload the following documents:

• Copy of both sides of your Dutch residence permit\
• Copy of your valid EU/EEA or Swiss residence permit\

• Documents required for your family residence permit application. Contact Leiden University for instructions

• Pay the fee

Fee amount

• Student residence permit fee: €254*

*valid as of 2026 and subject to annual change

How to pay?

In the uSis visa portal you will see instructions on how to pay. This can be either by way of online payment or bank transfer. See bank transfer information.

1. Read the obligations for residence permit holders

Before submitting your application, read the obligations for student residence permit holders. Be aware that if you fail to meet these obligations, Leiden University is required to inform the Dutch immigration department (IND), which may result in the revocation of your permit.

1. Review by Leiden University

After you submit your application, Leiden University will check all information and documents are in order. If anything is missing or incorrect, you will be notified via uSis. Check your emails and uSis notifications frequently and take action immediately if needed.

Priority for students requiring entry visas

In the period June to August, Leiden University receives a large number of visa/residence permit applications. As a result, we must prioritise applications from students who need a visa to enter the country. This means it may take us 6 to 8 weeks to process applications from students who need a residence permit only. Thank you for your understanding.

1. Await decision of the immigration department

Once your application has been checked by Leiden University, we will forward it to the Dutch immigration department (IND). If your documentation is found to be in order, the IND will make a decision on your application within 2 to 4 weeks.

Leiden University will notify you by email as soon as the IND issues a decision. Keep a copy of this email as you will need it after arrival when registering at a Dutch town hall.

1. Schedule a biometric data appointment

Why must I attend a Biometric data appointment?

Before the IND can issue your student residence permit, you must have your biometric data recorded. This will take place at an IND office in the Netherlands.

What data are recorded?

During the biometric data appointment your fingerprints, signature and a digital photo will be recorded.

How to make an appointment

Soon before the start of the semester, Leiden University will send you an email with instructions on how to make your biometric data appointment. Please await this email before trying to make an appointment.

1. After arrival: collect your residence permit

You will collect your student residence permit after arrival in the Netherlands.

Once your permit is ready, Leiden University will send you an email with instructions and a link to schedule a residence permit collection appointment.

1. Complete other arrival formalities

Make sure to complete all the procedures that are relevant to you as soon as possible after arrival.

• Town hall registration\ As a residence permit holder, you must register with your local Dutch town hall as soon as possible and at least within one month of arrival. Failure to do so can result in the cancellation of your residence permit. Schedule your appointment and check the required documents on the Town hall registration page. Remember to arrange housing well in advance as you will need proof of your Dutch address for your appointment.\
• Check if you need to open a Dutch Bank account \ If you do not have a bank account in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), you are highly advised to open a Dutch bank account after arrival. This is particularly important if you have transferred funds to Leiden University for your visa/residence permit application, or have been awarded a scholarship by Leiden University. These funds will be transferred to your Dutch bank account. Find out more on the Banking in the Netherlands page.\
• Refund of living expenses\ Did you transfer funds for living expenses to Leiden University as part of your visa/residence permit application? Send an email to fa@sea.leidenuniv.nl to request a refund. \
• Insurance\ If you haven't already done so, arrange health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay. This is compulsory for all residents of the Netherlands. See the health insurance page for details. Note that if you decide to work alongside your studies, you must take out Dutch public health insurance.