Student Visa Requirements for Netherlands

It is not surprising that many students travel from all over the world each year to study in the Netherlands due to the country's high level of living, high grade of education, and reputation for a carefree way of life that appeals to young people. However, the Dutch have a visa system like other European countries. 

Types of VISAS

 The following categories apply to student visas issued by the Netherlands:

• Students enrolled in higher education, and university courses must have a general student visa for graduate and postgraduate studies.
• Vocational programs at colleges and secondary schools in the Netherlands require a visa for secondary and vocational study. 
• A short-stay study visa is available for short courses lasting 90 days or fewer, such as Dutch language courses.  
• Netherlands student visa for higher education Intra-EU mobility visa - visa for study purposes valid within the EU/EFTA 

How to apply for a student visa in the Netherlands?

• Many do not get admission to their dream university or colleges, and the application gets rejected for various reasons, the primary reason being pandemic situations. Start preparing at least 8 to 12 months before you apply for study abroad. The application process of Dutch universities has enrolment twice a year. One is in September, the fall, and the spring semester in February. If you opt for a shorter course of 90 days or three months, you should apply for a "Schengen" or "short-term" visa. Similarly, apply for a "long-term" visa for a semester or year course. 
• Depending on the degree you enroll for, some colleges additionally demand GRE results. So before using, always check the eligibility criteria and requirements for your class.  
• If required, the university may also conduct an online interview. And then, after the end of the process, you'll hear from them about your application.   
• Most universities accept applications through a website using an application portal, while some universities accept applications via studielink, an online enrolment system.   
• Create an account at studielink or the university website, upload your scanned documents, fill in some basic information, and pay some application fee if applicable.   

Documents Required for student visa in the Netherlands. 

• A valid passport, two colored passport photos, three blank stamp pages, a passport bio page, and at least one photocopy of the passport photo page  
• A copy of your bank statement to show your sufficient financial state 
• Scholarship letters, if any
• A complete MVV form  
• Proof of insurance  
• Proof of provisional acceptance from a recognized institution in the Netherlands  
• Letter of recommendation  
• Letter of Motivation 

Process and Eligibility  

Process and eligibility for international students who want to study in the Netherlands: 

Academic documents  

You must submit your primary education, secondary education, and intermediate-level certificate while applying for a Bachelor's degree. If you're using it for a Master's degree, add the diploma of a Bachelor's degree.  

Eligibility to apply for Bachelor level:  

To apply for a Bachelor's level program, the candidate must have completed the intermediate level with at least a 50% result.  

Eligibility to apply for Masters level: 

To apply for a Master's level program, the candidate must have completed the Bachelor's level with at least a 50% result.  

Eligibility to apply for Ph.D.:  

To apply for a Ph.D. program, the candidate must have completed a Master's level from a recognized University.  

Note: You don't necessarily have to be fluent in Dutch, but even if you want to learn Dutch, you can submit a certificate of Dutch as a foreign language. Otherwise, if you pass the TOEFL or IELTS test, enclose the certificate in the documents. IELTS scores should be at least 6.

VISA fees  

Admission to full-time master's and bachelor's programs in the Netherlands requires acquiring a student visa, often known as a residence permit (VRV). An entering residence permit (MVV) is also needed for non-EU students to study here. The task of requesting a visa on behalf of the student falls to Dutch universities. Consequently, overseas students must pay 174 EUR in visa processing fees at the time of enrolment. 

Application processing time for student visa 
Getting your MVV and residency permission to study in the Netherlands can take up to three months, but it usually happens considerably sooner. Starting your application as early as possible is brilliant because it can take a few weeks to process. If you wait until the last minute, any delays or missing paperwork could result in you not receiving your visa in time.