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You are going to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days? You definitely need a Netherlands Residence Permit. Whatever the purpose of your visit might be, you need to apply for the permit. The type depends on the purpose of your stay, which could be work or study.

The article is eligible for the Dutch Residence permit, who needs it, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.

Do you need a Netherlands Residence Permit?

If you need to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you might need a Residence Permit. It is up to your nationality whether you need a Residence Permit or not.

Netherlands Residence Permit; why you need to apply for it?

Almost all non-EU nationals need a Netherlands Residence Permit to stay for the long term. The EU, EEA, and Switzerland nationals don’t need it. They may enter the country without a visa and stay for the long term. Yet, they need to register with the Dutch officials. They have to apply for a certificate of lawful residence. The procedure is convenient and not much trouble for EU citizens.

Who is eligible for Netherlands Residence Permit?

Not everyone can apply for Netherlands Residence Permit. Only a few groups are qualified to apply for it. You need to fulfill the below conditions to receive Netherlands Residence Permit:

Can you leave your country?

You must be able to leave your country with a legal passport or travel document. It needs to be valid for the length of your stay in the Netherlands.

Proof to have enough funds

You should prove to the Dutch officials that you can support yourself in the country. You could do it in different ways. For instance, if you have a job contract with a Dutch employer, provide the payment details.

A letter from a benefits agency or shares in a company could be another way to prove your financial independence.

Health insurance

Holding health insurance is essential for Netherlands Residence Permit. The private or public one isn’t doesn’t make a difference. Its type is based on your conditions.

Valid purpose of the stay

You must have a legal reason to stay in the Netherlands. For instance, you will study at a Dutch university. In this case, provide proof of it; an acceptance letter from the university could suffice.

If you have a job offer, provide the contract. It proves your purpose of stay.

TB test

A few candidates might have to pass a TB test. It is up to your nationality and conditions. If you have visited the Netherlands or Schengen Area recently, you are exempt from the TB test. A few countries and states are exempt from the TB test to enter the Netherlands.

If you need a test, you have to take it within the first three months of arrival.

No threat to the public

Netherlands Residence Permit applicants may not be a threat to the Dutch national security or its people. You need to prove your clean record through a certificate from your home country.

Sponsor

You need a sponsor for your Residence Permit. The type of sponsor depends on your situation. It could be a Dutch employer who has hired you or a university. Providing that you are staying with a friend or family, he/she could become your sponsor.

What are the requirements for Netherlands Residence Permit?

The requirements for the Netherlands Residence Permit depend on your case. Different situations require various supporting documents. However, a general set of requirements is as follows:

Application form 

You need a Netherlands visa application form. It must be a long stay one. If you apply yourself to the Dutch embassy, you will need it. Bear in mind that your employer could begin the application on your behalf.

Travel document 

Your passport could serve as a travel document. It must be valid for at least one year at the time of application.

Health insurance 

Get a health insurance certificate valid in the Netherlands and the for the entire duration of your stay.

Proof to have enough funds 

The Dutch officials need proof that you can support yourself in the country. A job contract, bank statements, or sponsorship letter could approve.

Purpose of stay proof 

This one depends on your conditions; it could be:

  • Job contract
  • Acceptance letter from a Dutch university
  • Marriage certificate to join a relative.

Personal documents

Your birth certificate, clean record, marriage certificate, or other documents proving your identity.

Attention: The above list is not complete. They are only a general list of requirements. The authorities could ask for further supporting documents.

Netherlands Residence Permit application process

The application process for the Netherlands Residence Permit is a bit different. Depending on your nationality and case, you might have to go through various procedures. However, the standard procedure is as follows:

1. Do you need MMV or not?

Before you begin the application process, determine if you need an MMV or not. The MMV also gets called:

  • Provisional residence permit
  • Authorization for a temporary stay
  • Netherlands long-stay or MVV visa

It’s authorization to stay in the Netherlands to receive your Residence Permit. If you need the MMV, you have to apply for both the Residence permit and the MMV.

If you do not need it, you can apply directly for Residence Permit.

Who needs an MMV?

If you come in the below list, you DO NOT NEED and MMV:

  • EU/EEA citizen or national.
  • A citizen of:
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Canada
    • Japan
    • Monaco
    • Vatican City
    • US
    • South Korea
  • You wish to live with a relative or friend who is a national or resident of the EU or EEA.
  • You hold a valid Residence permit from an EU country.
  • You have an EU Blue Card that’s valid for at least one and a half years.
  • You are moving to the EU branch of your company.

If you don’t fall into the above groups, then you need an MMV apart from the Residence Permit.

2. IND or Dutch embassy?

If you don’t need the MMV, you can move to the Netherlands to apply within the country. You have to apply to the Immigration and Naturalization Service office (IND). Your sponsor can also begin the application process on your behalf. He/she can begin the procedure until you get to the country. When you arrive, you can pick up your Residence permit from the IND.

If you need the MMV, you have to apply to the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. If your sponsor applies on your behalf, he/she will apply to the IND.

When the IND verifies your application, you can follow the procedures at the Dutch embassy.

Bear in mind that you and your sponsor need to be in contact with each other.

You also need to gather the requirements asked by the Dutch officials. You need to have your documents translated to:

  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • German

The documents the officials ask for will depend on your case. They could require further supporting documents.

3. Visa interview

Now you have to schedule an appointment with the embassy. You visit them on time and submit the requirements. Then you need to pay the fee for visa processing. The fee depends on the purpose of your visit and the provided services.

The authorities will work on your application and issue the visa. Once you receive it, you can move to the Netherlands.

When you enter the country, you need to visit the IND to receive your Residence Permit.

4. Registration with the municipality

Every foreign national in the Netherlands who wants to stay longer than 90 days has to register with the local municipality. Keep in mind that you mustn’t postpone this step. The municipality gets called Geminate. You enter the BRP (Personal Records Database), so the local officials will know about your stay.

How long is the Netherlands Residence Permit valid for?

The validity of the Netherlands Residence Permit is up to your stay. If you have a job contract, it could be as valid as the contract is. If you have an education permit, it could be valid until you finish your studies.

However, the Netherlands Residence Permit is valid for up to five years. You can also extend it.

Can you extend the Netherlands residence permit?

Yes, but it is up to your situation. You need to comply with the extension principles. Keep in mind that you have to consider extending your permit before it becomes expired.

Netherlands residence permit after divorce

Your Residence permit will revoke. You no longer are authorized to stay in the Netherlands. If you want to stay, you need to apply for a new Residence permit on your own.

For instance, you have to get a job offer and apply for a work permit.

In case you have stayed in the Netherlands for FIVE continuous years with your partner, you can stay after a divorce. But you must have passed the civic integration exam (A2).

Netherlands residence permit for us citizens

US citizens need a Residence permit to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days. They don’t need anything for short stays up to 90 days.

They can move to the country and apply for a Residence permit directly. They are exempt from MMV as well.

Netherlands Residence Permit types

Netherlands Residence Permit contains different types. The one you choose is up to the purpose of your visit. It could be:

Work visa– when you intend to work for a Dutch employer.

Study visa-when you seek to continue your studies at a university.

Family visa– when you move to the Netherlands to join your spouse or family.

Au pair visa– is the permission to stay with a Dutch family and do housework for them. They provide food and shelter, and you do light work for them.

Let’s sum up…

When you wish to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you need a Residence Permit. Only the EU nationals are exempt from it.

This article has explained whether you are eligible for Netherlands Residence Permit or not, the requirements, the application process, and FAQs.

Providing that you need further information, contact us through the comment section below. If you have experience or knowledge of the Netherlands visa, help other applicants by sharing them.

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