Netherlands Student Visa – Eligibility, Application and Funding

A Netherlands Student Visa permits its holder to combine study with work. Even so, just having the visa is a privilege that is better experienced. You deserve to study in the country of your dreams, and the land of the tulips and windmills is that great country.

If you desire a Netherlands Student Visa, you have to work hard for it. There are applications to submit and other processes to undergo. Wanting a visa to the Netherlands is just the first on the list of things to do. Let’s discuss what you need to know about getting a Netherlands Student Visa.

What visa does the Netherlands give an applicant who wants to study? Are you one of those who are eligible for a Netherlands Visa? These are some of the questions that you need to find answers to. If you read further, you will find the answers you need.

About the Netherlands Student Visa

Interestingly, the Netherlands has become a popular and preferred destination for international students. In 2018 alone, more than 85,000 international students found their way to the numerous high-standard universities in the Netherlands. The number keeps rising as the years roll by. Why is this so? The Netherlands made it easy for international students to obtain Student Visas to enter and study in the country. Also, applications for Student visas are hardly ever refused. According to the Immigration Department, almost 99% of the applications made in 2019 were accepted. Additionally, this is good news for international students wanting to study in the Netherlands.

What is a Netherlands Student Visa?

A Netherlands Student Visa is a long-stay visa given to an international student who wants to enter the country to study. It can be a short-stay or a long-stay visa, depending on the duration of the study. For example, a short-stay visa would do if the study were a 3-month course. Still, a long-stay visa is advisable if it’s a complete education process. However, an admission letter as a prerequisite to the visa is a crucial part of the application process. A study visa to the Netherlands is a residence permit.

Types of Student Visas

There are four types of Netherlands Student Visas available to international students. hey are below:

1. Netherlands short-stay student visa. 

This type of visa is issued to international students whose course or training will last less than three months. Examples of such courses are language courses. For this purpose, you can obtain a short-stay category C visa. This is a Schengen visa for countries whose citizens must obtain a visa.

2. The Intra-EU Mobility Visa. 

This visa allows you to study in any EU/EFTA area if you have a valid permit from another EU member state. In this case, you do not need a Netherlands residence permit. However, you will need to gain admission into a recognized school of higher learning, and you can stay for up to one year in the Netherlands, studying.

3. Netherlands Student Visa for Secondary and Vocational Courses.

 This visa is granted to international students who have gained admission for a full-time course at a Netherlands institution of higher learning. They must have family in the country and must be able to speak and write in Dutch.

4. Netherlands Long-Stay Visa. 

This is also called a residence permit. This is because a holder can stay in the Netherlands for up to five years of study.

Who is Eligible for a Netherlands Student Visa?

A student visa and residence permit to study in the Netherlands is necessary for all students outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. Furthermore, you will need an entry residence permit (MVV). As soon as you arrive, you must register with the municipality. This is for students who will be in the country for an extended stay. In this case, too, they will require a residence permit.

Who is exempt from a Netherlands Student Visa?

International students who can enter the Netherlands to study without a visa are:

a. Citizens from the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland

b. Family member of a citizen from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. Although this category does not need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands, they must apply for a certificate of lawful residence.

In addition, if a student in the above category wants to study for longer than three months, it is necessary to register with the local authorities.

What are the requirements for a Netherlands Student Visa?

The following is a list of some of the requirements for a Netherlands Student Visa:

1. A Netherlands MVV Visa Application Form, filled out correctly

2. A valid passport with a copy of the passport photo page

3. A passport-size color photo of 35×45 mm

4. Birth Certificate

5. Academic Transcripts

6. A letter of acceptance from the school you will be attending

7. Travel insurance of at least 30,000 EUR

8. Health Insurance

9. Tuberculosis test (within three months of arriving in the Netherlands)

10. Proof of income

This can be either of the following:

10a. A current or savings account in the student’s name, from which they can withdraw money freely. The account must bear the date of issue, account number, personal details, and bank balance.

10b. A student’s account can be created at a Netherlands University, where the total amount the student would need for a school year can be deposited. The university would send the statement of account to the Immigration Department of the Netherlands while submitting the student’s visa application.

10c. If a government university or a third party is awarding a scholarship to the student, they can submit it as proof of finance. The submission must contain the date of issue, details of the student, the awarding institution, duration of the scholarship, and the amount.

10d. If a citizen of the Netherlands is funding an international student’s education, all that is required is a financial statement of support and proof of the sponsor’s income. These documents must not be more than three months old.

11. Proof of proficiency in the English Language. For this, submission of the IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.0 can get you a direct admission. A score between 5.5 to 6.0 will get you a preparatory program of six months. You will undertake a one-year preliminary program if you score between 5.0 and 5.5.

Take a look at this Guide on how to apply for the Netherlands Short Stay Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a visa application fee for a Netherlands Student Visa?

The application fee for a short-stay study period of about 90 days is 80 EUR. Students of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia will pay 35 EUR. For a long-stay student visa, you will pay a fee of 207 EUR. Additionally, if you lose or damage your visa document, you must pay the sum of 142 EUR.

How long does processing a request for a Netherlands Student Visa take?

It takes about four to six weeks to process your student visa. However, sometimes it can take longer than that if further documents are required.

Can I work while I study in the Netherlands?

Yes, you can work with a Netherlands Student Visa. However, you must have a citizen service number which you will get at a local municipality. You must work for a total of 16 hours a week. But you can work full-time during the summer, from June to August.

Can my family join me on a student visa in the Netherlands?

Yes, your spouse can join you on a student visa to the Netherlands. Also, any children under 18 can join you if your residence permit lasts for at least a year.

When can I apply for a Netherlands Student Visa?

Fundamentally, it is advisable to start your application process at least three months before you plan to arrive in the Netherlands. This is because the process may take more than six weeks, probably 90 days, so it is better to start early.

Here’s a list of the embassies and consulates of the Netherlands spread all over the world. See if you can find one close to you.

Conclusion

The first thing you should do when you arrive in the Netherlands to study is to exchange your entry permit for a temporary residence permit. That is, if you will be staying for longer than three months. You will also need to go to the municipality where you reside so that they can add you to the local database and give you a BSN. You must achieve this within four months of your arrival. Also, you must register with the local healthcare service and open a Netherlands bank account. Finally, you need to arrange for utilities like electricity and telecommunications if you plan to rent your accommodation.

Besides, the Netherlands is a great place to study and work; once you’re settled, you will surely enjoy every moment there. There are good schools in the country, and within a short time, you will be quite comfortable amongst other international and local students.