Visa & Residence Permit
Source: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student/visa-residence-permit Parent: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/bachelor-college
for international students
Visa & Residence Permit
Do I need a entry visa (MVV) and/or residence permit (VVR)?
If you are coming to the Netherlands to study at TU/e, whether you need an entry visa (MVV) and/or a Dutch residence permit (VVR) depends on three factors:
- Your nationality (as stated in your passport)
- The duration of your stay in the Netherlands (shorter or longer than 90 days)
- Your purpose of stay (study at TU/e)
Based on this combination, immigration requirements may differ from student to student.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
If you hold the nationality of an EU/EEA countryor Switzerland, you do not need a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands.
What does EU/EEA mean?\ The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Although Switzerland is not part of the EEA, Swiss nationals follow similar immigration rules for studying in the Netherlands.\ If you do not hold the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are considered a non-EU/EEA student.
Non-EU/EEA nationals
If you hold a non-EU/EEA nationality and plan to stay in the Netherlands longer than 90 days for study, you will need a Dutch residence permit. Whether you also need an entry visa depends on your nationality. The IND website shows which nationalities are exempt.
If immigration arrangements are required for your study program, TU/e will apply for the visa and/or residence permit on your behalf after you have enrolled. You will receive clear instructions about the documents and steps required from you.
Choose your scenario
Your next steps depend on whether you already hold a Dutch residence permit and for what purpose it was issued. Please select the scenario that applies to your situation and get to know all the details:
Scenario 1
I do not have a residence permit for the Netherlands, or I have a residence permit for another European country
What this means for you
You do not need to arrange immigration yourself. TU/e will apply for your visa and/or residence permit on your behalf.
Procedure
- The application process takes about 4 weeks.
- If you also need an entry visa (MVV), add approximately 2 extra weeks, depending on appointment availability at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.
- From April onwards, all admitted students, will receive a visa/residence permit application form. In this form you will be asked to upload:
- A copy of your passport
- A signed antecedents certificate
- A tuberculosis test form (if applicable based on your nationality)
- If you hold a residence permit from another EU country, please provide a copy of both the front and back of this permit.
The International Office will only start the procedure after you have:
- submitted the application form, and
- transferred the guarantee fee and the amount for proof of financial means
Costs
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation service (IND) charges a fee for the visa application and/or residence permit application.
- This amount is set annually by the IND.
- The fee for the academic year 2026-2027 will be confirmed in January 2026.
- Last year, the fee was €243,-.
This fee is included in the guarantee fee.\ If you receive a scholarship or participate in one of our European double degree programs, a reduced guarantee fee and/or proof of financial means may apply. Please check the guarantee fee webpage for more details.
Scenario 2
I have a residence permit for the Netherlands issued for a non-study purpose
What this means for you:
You already hold a valid Dutch residence permit, but it is not issued for study purposes.\ Depending on your situation, you can either keep your current permit or change it to a study residence permit. TU/e will guide you through the required steps.
Procedure
From April onwards, all admitted students will receive the visa/residence permit application form and choose one of the options below.
Option 1: Keep your current residence permit
- upload a copy of the front and the back of your residence permit
- If your permit is linked to someone else: a copy of their residence permit.
Option 2: Change to a study residence permit
Upload:
- A copy of the front and the back of your current residence permit
- A copy of your passport
- A signed antecedents certificate
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of transferring the fee for the IND (see costs below).
Costs
Changing your residence permit
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation services (IND) charges a fee to change your permit to one for study purposes:
- This amount is set annually by the IND.
- The fee for the academic year 2026-2027 will be confirmed in January 2026.
- Last year, the fee was €243,-.
You must upload proof of payment in the visa/residence permit application form.
Keeping your residence permit
- No fee applies
In both cases:
- You do not need to pay the guarantee fee or transfer the amount of the proof of financial means.
- From May onwards, you will receive a message from Studielink regarding tuition fee payment. Please follow the instructions in this message.
- TU/e will determine whether you qualify for the statutory or institutional tuition fee and inform you accordingly.
Scenario 3
I have a residence permit for the Netherlands issued for study by another Dutch educational institution
What this means for you
You can usually keep your current study residence permit, but TU/e must become your official sponsor (referent).
Procedure
From April onwards, all admitted students will receive a visa/residence permit application form and be asked to:
- Indicate the expire date of your current residence permit
- Upload:
- A copy of your residence permit
- A copy your passport
- A signed antecedents certificate
- Proof of financial means.
Costs
- There is no IND fee for TU/e to become your sponsor
- You do not need to pay a guarantee fee or transfer proof of financial means
- From May onwards, you will receive a message via Studielink about tuition fee payment
Why work alongside your studies?
Whether you are allowed to work during your studies in the Netherlands - and under which conditions - depends on your residence permit. In some cases, additional permission (such as a work permit) is required.
The rules differ based on your nationality and the type of residence permit you hold.\ To avoid confusion and make sure you comply with Dutch regulations, we strongly recommend checking the detailed information before starting a job.
Questions?
If you have any general questions about visa or residence permit, please contact us using the form below.
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