Netherlands student visa and residence permit
Visa and residence permit
Learn if you need a Netherlands student visa or residence permit. Get clear step-by-step support from Zuyd’s Immigration Team for a smooth application.
Do I need a Netherlands student visa or residence permit?
Most non-EU citizens will need to apply for a Netherlands student visa before travelling. Even if you don't need a visa, you'll still need a residence permit if you plan to stay longer than 3 months. Team Immigration at Zuyd is here to help! Once you've applied in Studielink, you'll receive an email from us with all the instructions you need to start your visa or residence permit application.
Be sure to check our information document for deadlines, requirements and step-by-step guidance.
Got a question? Just email us at immigration@zuyd.nl.
Study progress and residence permit
All Dutch universities must report the academic progress of international students to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). To keep your residence permit, you'll need to pass at least 50% of your total ECTS credits each academic year. If you don't meet this requirement, IND may revoke your residence permit. Unfortunately, switching to a different study programme won’t change this rule.
How to
Use the Residence Wizard
Not sure if you need a Holland student visa or just a residence permit? Use the Residence Wizard to find out exactly what applies to your situation.
Step-by-step support
We've created a clear manual (pdf) to guide you through the full application process for your student visa for the Netherlands.
Important: beware of scams!
The IND has warned about fraudulent messages sent to students. Some students have been contacted by organisations pretending to be the IND, asking for payments for “legal fees” or other costs. This is a scam. The IND never contacts students directly about payments. You only pay fees via Zuyd.
If you receive such a message, please forward it to us right away at immigration@zuyd.nl.