The Netherlands is one of the world’s most attractive educational destinations. Widely known for its incredible educational system, the Netherlands has some of the best schools in the whole world. This makes it a golden destination for Indian students, who head there in droves every year. Here we have described the basic procedure and Netherlands visa requirements:
Apart from this, it is highly recommended that you attach proof of English proficiency. It is possible to get a Netherlands visa without IELTS, but it is best to have some proof of language skill, either the TOEFL or IELTS.
The Schengen Visa allows the students from Non-EU countries to come and study in the Netherlands along with the other Schengen countries. The Schengen Visa is only valid for 3 months (90) days, and cannot be extended. It is typically for the short-term exchange students and the students enrolled in the language courses.
You also need to provide proof that you have enough money to live in the Netherlands for the full duration of the course, which works out to around 870 Euros per month.
Netherlands visa application fees are €250, which roughly converts to 21350 Indian Rupee.
Once the Netherlands visa application has been made, it goes into processing. The visa processing time can take anywhere between one to three months, so it is recommended that you get your Netherlands visa form at least six months in advance.
The visa process in the Netherlands is different for EU students and international students. EU students do not have any Netherlands visa requirements. However, for international students, visa applications need to be made.
MVV Netherlands is a long stay entry visa, while VVR is the residence permit to stay in the Netherlands.
Hence, they need to acquire a student visa or education visa, the VVR. Students need to apply for either the VVR or a Residence Permit. However, to make the student’s life easier, the hosting university also applies for the VVR.
Once the student receives the VVR, they can study in Netherlands for as long as they have the visa.
Only a registered institute in Netherlands can submit the application to Netherlands embassy for your MVV visa and Residence Permit. MVV visa is a sticker on your passport placed by Netherlands Immigration.
The University, a recognized institute, is listed with IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). IND collects fees and manages the application process.
Decision on Your MVV visa and Netherlands Student Visa Duration::
As said before, Netherlands Embassy takes up to 1 to 3 months to reach a decision. Therefore, it is advisable to apply for a Netherlands visa as soon as you get the letter of acceptance.
You will receive your residence permit for Netherlands after two weeks of the positive decision.
All international students are allowed to work along with their studies. However, there are certain restrictions.
Students cannot apply for a work permit. Only their employers can.
They are permitted to work for a maximum of 16 hours per week. They can work full-time only during June, July, and August.
You need to register with the municipality to receive a “citizen service number”, which allows you to receive wages. There are no specific guidelines for Netherlands work permit minimum salary requirements. There is no minimum requirement when it comes to a student visa.
Those people who wish to work in the Netherlands need to get the Dutch Basic Healthcare Insurance. It is compulsory.
Students in Netherlands are allowed to extend their residence permit after their studies are over. The extension or the Stay back period in Netherlands is for one year and it is known as “orientation year”. The students can actively look for the job during their orientation year. The students who are willing to study further can also extend their residence permits. For example, a bachelor's graduate who wants to pursue post-graduation in Netherlands. There is no separate work permit required for students who have just completed their studies in the Netherlands.
If there are changes in your situation, the residence permit and study in Netherlands visa need to be changed accordingly.
If you decide to change courses and join a new one, the number of years you’ve already studied will be subtracted from the full duration of the new course. What this means is that before your VVR expires, you need to apply for an extension of stay for the rest of your studies.
The residence permit can also be withdrawn if your academic quality is not maintained. For example, if you don’t manage to reach a score of 50% each academic year, your residence permit may be revoked. There are often other requirements set up by individual universities, all of which must also be followed.
Your visa and residence permit can also be canceled by the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service if you discontinue your studies, end your registration as a student of the university, or don’t have sufficient funds to cover your living costs.
If you have family in the Netherlands, it may be possible for you to go there on a dependent visa. If you are the spouse, partner, a child under 21, parent, or grandparent of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who is a lawful resident of the Netherlands.
However, this also applies if you have a spouse. In which case, once you get a valid residence permit for at least 1 year, your spouse or other dependents can join you on a dependent visa. However, they do have to meet certain conditions
Conditions on Netherlands Student Visa: Spouse and Dependents
The application for a dependent visa costs 237 Euros. Once the application is made, it can take the IND up to six months to decide and return with a response.
Getting the chance to study in Netherlands is a wonderful opportunity, and you should do your best to make sure no bureaucratic problems crop up.
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