Both a visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR)

Who needs both a visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR)?

You will need both an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR) if:

  • You are going to stay in the Netherlands for the purpose of study at bachelor's or master's level (either degree-seeking or as an exchange / Study Abroad student), for a period exceeding 90 days
  • And you are not a national of one of the following countries:
    EU/EER 
    Australia
    Canada    		 Iceland
    Japan
    Liechtenstein    		 Monaco
    New Zealand
    Norway    		 South Korea
    Switzerland
    USA
     
If you are staying less than 90 days you might need a Short Stay visa
 

General Application Requirements

Leiden University can only apply for your MVV and VVR if the following minimum requirements have been met:

  • You have a valid passport

  • You are admitted to a full-time study programme

  • You are able to show that you have enough money to cover your costs of living during your stay. Standard minimum amounts apply.
     

Procedure

Upon receipt of all required documents and fees the Admissions Office will submit your visa and residence permit application to the Dutch Immigration Department (IND). If your documentation is found to be in order we expect that your application will be provisionally approved in approximately 4 weeks time. The Admissions Office will notify you of this by email. At approximately the same time the Dutch embassy will send you an invitation to collect your visa (a sticker in your passport) at a Dutch embassy or consulate. You will be able to collect your residence permit (VVR) from the Dutch Immigration Department (IND) soon after your arrival in the Netherlands.

Residence permits for the purpose of study are issued for up to 1 academic year only. If your residence permit expires and you wish to continue your studies at Leiden University you will need to extend your residence permit (VVR).

If your main “purpose of stay” in the Netherlands changes you may need a new residence permit, for instance upon completion of preparatory studies, if you transfer from another Dutch university, or upon graduation. See: How to arrange a change of “purpose of stay”.
 

TBC X-ray (lung photo) or mantoux test

In order to obtain a residence permit for study purposes, you may be required to undergo a tuberculosis examination and, if necessary, treatment for tuberculosis. In an effort to fight the worldwide spread of tuberculosis a lung X-ray is required for all foreigners who will stay in the Netherlands for more than three months.

More information
Do you need a TB examination? Make an appointment

 
Last Modified: 30-06-2011