If you are not from the EU/EEA or one of a handful of visa-exempt countries, you need two things to study in the Netherlands: an MVV entry visa and a residence permit for study (VVR). You do not apply for them yourself — the university that admitted you submits one combined application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and pays the $290 (€254) fee, which it then charges to you. Your part is the paperwork and proof of funds: in 2026 that means $1,280 (€1,130.77) a month for 12 months — $15,420 (€13,569) — on top of any unpaid tuition. The IND decides within 60 days; you then collect the MVV sticker at the Dutch embassy in your country, which takes up to 10 working days (in Russia, at the embassy in Moscow).
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Documents needed by most non-EU nationals | MVV entry visa (type D) plus residence permit for study (VVR), applied for together in the TEV procedure |
| Who applies | the university, as an IND-recognised sponsor (erkend referent) |
| IND fee 2026 | $290 (€254), paid via the university |
| Proof of funds | $15,420 (€13,569) for 12 months in 2026, plus unpaid tuition |
| Decision period | up to 60 days; can be extended if the file is incomplete |
| MVV collection for Russian nationals | Dutch embassy in Moscow; the consulate-general in St Petersburg is temporarily closed |
| MVV validity | 90 days; book the appointment within 3 months of the decision |
| TB test | not required for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Ukraine and many others; required for e.g. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, Nigeria |
| Work | up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June–August; employer needs a TWV permit |
| Permit length | programme length plus 3 months, maximum 5 years |
Who needs an MVV and a residence permit
| Nationality | For study longer than 90 days |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA, Switzerland | nothing except municipal registration |
| Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, UK, USA, South Korea | residence permit (VVR) only |
| Everyone else (e.g. Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, China, India, Nigeria) | MVV entry visa plus residence permit |
The MVV is a type D visa sticker. It lets you enter the Netherlands — directly or via another Schengen country — and collect your residence card. It is multiple-entry and valid for 90 days. The VVR is the card you live and study on. The combined application is called TEV (toegang en verblijf — entry and residence).
A short-stay Schengen (C) visa is not a workaround: you cannot switch to a study permit on it. The IND also advises against staying in the Netherlands while an MVV application is pending.
Who applies, and when
Only your university can apply for a study residence permit, and it must be an IND-recognised sponsor — you can check any institution in the IND public register. The University of Amsterdam states plainly that students cannot start the procedure themselves.
The university starts once you are at least conditionally admitted and have met its financial conditions. Each university publishes dates per intake; examples that could be checked on university websites in September 2026:
| University | When it starts | Your deadline | What else is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| TU Delft | after full payment per your financial letter | request by 1 July, payment by 11 July (September start) | tuition plus living-cost deposit |
| University of Amsterdam, February 2027 intake | invitations from the first week of November 2026, then every Tuesday and Thursday | 11 November 2026 for MVV nationalities; 25 November for VVR-only nationalities | upload documents in MyInfo |
The UvA will post its September 2027 immigration dates on the same page later; programmes already ask visa-requiring applicants to apply earlier than others — the MSc Business Administration, for instance, by 1 April 2027. Miss these and the university cannot guarantee a decision before term starts. For the admission side, see applying to Dutch universities and master's in the Netherlands; for a country overview see study in the Netherlands.
Step by step
- Admission. Accept your conditional or unconditional offer.
- Payment. Pay what your financial letter asks. At TU Delft, first-year non-EU master's students paid $45,280 (€39,833) in one transfer for 2026/27: $29,140 (€25,633) tuition and a $16,140 (€14,200) living-cost deposit, from which the IND fee and housing-service fee are deducted. The rest is refunded to your European account about three weeks after classes start.
- Documents. Upload your passport, antecedents certificate, proof of funds and, if applicable, the TB-test declaration.
- Submission. The university applies for the MVV and residence permit together and pays the $290 (€254) fee.
- Decision. The IND has 60 days, extendable if something is missing; requests go through the university. You receive your V-number (alien registration number) by email from the university.
- MVV sticker. Within 3 months of the decision, book an embassy appointment, hand in your passport and give biometrics; collect it within 10 working days.
- Travel. Enter within the MVV's 90-day validity. TU Delft recommends booking flights only after you have both the visa and housing.
- Residence card. When it is ready the university is notified; you book an IND desk appointment to collect it.
- Municipal registration. If staying 4 months or longer, register in person within 5 days of arrival and receive your BSN (citizen service number). Failing to register can cost you your permit.
How much money you must show, and how
The IND calls it the study norm: the maximum Dutch student support for someone living in student housing. It changes every 1 January. For university and HBO students in 2026 it is $1,280 (€1,130.77) a month, so you need $15,420 (€13,569) for 12 months. The University of Amsterdam rounds this to $1,280 (€1,131) a month — $15,410 (€13,572) a year — and adds any unpaid tuition.
The IND accepts six forms of proof:
| Option | What you provide |
|---|---|
| Money in your own account | statement showing date, your name, account number, balance and bank contact details; no older than 3 months (UvA: 2 months); funds freely withdrawable |
| Money deposited with the university | the annual amount paid to the institution before submission — e.g. TU Delft's deposit |
| Scholarship | award letter with dates, amount and your details |
| Company | financial support form, company statement, proof of signatory's authority |
| Person abroad (e.g. parents) | support form, sponsor's passport copy, sponsor's statement no older than 3 months covering 12 months |
| Person in the Netherlands | support form, BRP extract, proof of sustainable income |
Documents must be in English, Dutch, German or French or be translated. Each academic year you also sign a personal income statement.
Universities may be stricter. The UvA does not accept companies as sponsors, fixed-term deposits, investment or pension products, credit cards, payslips, gold or cryptocurrency; joint accounts need a statement from the co-holder. If money has to come from Russia, plan a lawful route early — see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia. For the full annual budget see the cost of studying in the Netherlands.
Documents to prepare
For the university's application:
- passport valid at least 6 months after your programme starts (TU Delft and UvA wording) and at least 6 months on the date the MVV is issued (IND wording), with two blank pages; the UvA wants a scan of every page and a signed passport;
- antecedents certificate, for everyone over 12, signed exactly as in your passport;
- proof of funds, as above;
- TB-test declaration, only if your nationality is not exempt;
- photo meeting Dutch requirements, for the embassy.
For life in the Netherlands: a birth certificate (Delft municipality asks first-time arrivals to bring a recent original if available) and, if relevant, a marriage certificate. Civil documents from Russia need an apostille; Russian-language documents need a sworn translation. If translated in Russia, apostille both original and translation; if translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands, only the original needs an apostille. Documents issued by a Russian consulate need no legalisation.
Collecting the MVV in Moscow or Astana
Russian nationals can apply for the MVV sticker only at the Dutch embassy in Moscow, and only if the IND decision letter says so. The consulate-general in St Petersburg is temporarily closed. Book online within 3 months of the decision. If no slots are available and your programme is about to start, the embassy asks students to email mos-date@minbuza.nl with contact details and the start date.
Bring:
- passport and a copy of the photo page;
- a photo meeting Dutch requirements;
- for students, the university email with your V-number is enough — no copy of the IND letter needed;
- any other documents listed in the IND letter, with copies;
- if you are not a national of the country where you apply, your residence permit there.
The embassy keeps your passport for up to 10 working days and gives you a tracking number. Collection is without appointment, Monday to Friday 14:00–15:00. Check the sticker details at the counter.
Kazakh nationals collect the MVV at the Dutch embassy in Astana under the same rules. NetherlandsWorldwide has separate pages for Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Georgia; the IND letter always names the place.
After you arrive
- Collect your residence card at the IND desk. MVV holders give biometrics at the embassy.
- Register with the municipality within 5 days if staying 4+ months. You need an address where registration is allowed — check your lease.
- TB test at the GGD within 3 months of receiving the permit, unless your nationality is exempt (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Moldova and Ukraine are exempt; Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are not).
- Health insurance. While you only study, you cannot take Dutch basic insurance — you need private international cover. Once you have a paid job, Dutch basic insurance becomes compulsory, with a statutory deductible of $440 (€385) a year.
What the permit allows
- Employment if the employer holds a TWV: up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June, July and August — one or the other. The Labour Authority fines the employer for breaches and informs the IND.
- Self-employment with no hour limit, after Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration and paying tax; Dutch health insurance may be required.
- Internships that are part of your programme, without a TWV.
- Study elsewhere in the EU for up to 360 days under intra-EU mobility; otherwise up to 12 consecutive months abroad with sufficient progress.
- Changing institution — the permit stays valid if the new institution is also a recognised sponsor and the IND is notified.
- Travel within the Schengen area with your residence card.
The key condition is progress: at least 50% of each year's credits. The UvA checks three times a year; without a valid reason, the university must notify the IND.
The permit runs for the programme plus 3 months, up to 5 years, and includes any preparatory period such as a pre-master's. An extension costs $290 (€254).
Bringing family
Your university can apply for family members too, ideally at the same time. It is responsible only for you; you are responsible for your family's legal stay. Family members do not take a civic integration exam but must meet the financial requirements. For Russian nationals, the IND states that a student's family member is not allowed to work in the Netherlands.
After graduation
Within three years of a Dutch degree you can apply for an orientation year permit ($290, €254) and work freely for a year. If you still live in the Netherlands, are registered and have a BSN, you can apply online. The highly skilled migrant route then has a reduced graduate salary threshold of $3,550 (€3,122) a month in 2026.
Notes for Russian nationals
There is no ban on student permits for Russian citizens: the IND's information for Russian nationals describes the standard MVV procedure, and the Moscow embassy issues MVV stickers, including to students. Keep in mind:
- Appointment availability. Slots fill quickly; if the start date is at risk, email mos-date@minbuza.nl.
- Purpose of stay. The UvA reserves the right not to submit an application if it has serious doubts about the purpose of stay, and the IND may request more information, which adds time.
- Sensitive fields. EU sanctions prohibit technical assistance — including training — related to dual-use goods and technology for persons in Russia or for use in Russia. This does not change the visa procedure, but some technical programmes may ask extra questions; see master's in the Netherlands.
- Banking. Until you hold an EU residence permit, EU banks cannot accept deposits above $113,550 (€100,000) per bank from Russian nationals; the Dutch permit lifts that restriction.
Visa and permit decisions are made by the IND and the embassy. StudyU does not guarantee them.
Mistakes that delay your start
- Waiting for an invitation without paying. At TU Delft the process starts only after full payment.
- Showing money you cannot freely withdraw. Fixed deposits and investments do not count.
- Using an old statement. IND: 3 months; UvA: 2 months.
- Booking the embassy late. You have 3 months after the IND decision, and slots are scarce.
- Buying tickets before the visa. The embassy needs up to 10 working days.
- Arriving without housing. No address means no registration and no BSN, and registration is a permit condition.
- Working without a TWV. The Labour Authority will notice, and the IND will hear via your university.
FAQ
The IND fee for the MVV and residence permit is $290 (€254) in 2026, paid through the university. NetherlandsWorldwide lists no separate embassy fee for issuing the MVV sticker. Budget extra for translations, apostilles and private insurance.
In 2026, $1,280 (€1,130.77) a month for 12 months — $15,420 (€13,569) — plus any tuition not yet paid. The amount is updated every 1 January.
No. For university study the institution applies to the IND; you supply documents and then collect the MVV at the embassy.
Up to 60 days for the IND decision (longer if the file is incomplete), then up to 10 working days for the MVV sticker.
It depends on nationality. Nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Moldova and Ukraine are exempt; nationals of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and many Asian and African countries must take it within 3 months.
Yes: up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June–August if your employer has a TWV permit. Self-employment and programme internships need no TWV.
At the Dutch embassy in Moscow; the St Petersburg consulate-general is temporarily closed. The IND letter always specifies the location.
Under a service agreement we check your documents for the university and IND, help with proof of funds, translations and the embassy appointment. Decisions are made by the IND and the Dutch embassy.
Sources
- IND: student residence permit for university or higher professional education (Russian national view)
- IND: MVV, public register of recognised sponsors, requirements for everyone and TB test, TB exemption list (from 30 May 2025)
- IND: income requirements for study, required amounts 2026, fees 2026, translation and legalisation, orientation year
- NetherlandsWorldwide: MVV in Russia, MVV in Kazakhstan, legalising Russian documents
- TU Delft: visa and residence permit, tuition and finances, after admission
- University of Amsterdam: deadlines and procedures, MSc Business Administration: application deadlines, documents and financial proof
- Municipality of Delft: moving from abroad
- Study in NL: health insurance
- European Commission: consolidated FAQs on Russia sanctions
Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 24 and 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1367 and $1.1355), rounded.
If you want your documents and proof of funds checked before the university submits them, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Applying to Dutch Universities for 2027/28: Deadlines, Studielink, Documents and the Residence Permit
- Master's in the Netherlands: Admission, Costs and Deadlines for 2027/28
- Cost of Studying in the Netherlands in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs, Permit Funds and the Full-Degree Budget
- Studying in the Netherlands for international applicants
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Bachelor's in the Netherlands for International Students: 3 or 4 Years, Entry Routes and the Cost of a Degree
