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Dutch Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) – Regular Residence Permit in the Netherlands

This Dutch (Netherlands) residence permit is a sticker, placed in the passport, which is intended for non-EU nationals who wish to enter the Netherlands (Holland) for staying longer than 3 months with a purpose of study, work or living with a partner. It can be used only for a single entrance (in case of simple MVV) and cannot be used for staying in other countries of the Schengen area. A valid Dutch (Netherlands) MVV is a mandatory requirement for requesting a residence permit.

This Dutch (Netherlands) residence permit is a sticker, placed in the passport, which is intended for non-EU nationals who wish to enter the Netherlands (Holland) for staying longer than 3 months with a purpose of study, work or living with a partner. It can be used only for a single entrance (in case of simple MVV) and cannot be used for staying in other countries of the Schengen area. A valid Dutch (Netherlands) MVV is a mandatory requirement for requesting a residence permit.

During application proceedings for MVV, the foreigner has to stay outside the Netherlands (with certain exemptions). He may receive a work permit in the Dutch (Netherlands) embassy or consulate of his country within 6 months. Until the foreigner has not lodged documents to the embassy or consulate of the Netherlands (Holland), the factual application for MVV has not yet begun.

Dutch (Netherlands) MVV may be granted for a period up to 6 months. The application will be considered by the Dutch (Netherlands) IND and takes approximately 3 to 6 months.

There are two types of Dutch (Netherlands) MVV visa:

  1. Simple Dutch (Netherlands) MVV: with this visa it is not allowed to travel until a Dutch (Netherlands) residence permit is approved. If an applicant will leave the Netherlands (Holland) during the application procedure, he may not re-enter the Netherlands (Holland) with this visa;
  2. Combined visa D+C: this visa gives a possibility to travel without any restrictions during the process of application for the Dutch (Netherlands) residence permit. That means that an applicant may travel in and out of the Netherlands (Holland) and through Schengen countries during the first 3 months after the visa was granted. After 3 months, if the procedure is still pending, an applicant will not be allowed to leave the country (with certain exemptions, such as emergency circumstances).

Two possibilities exist to get a Dutch (Netherlands) MVV visa:

  • Advice procedure (Adviesprocedure): this procedure is initiated by the referee (spouse, partner or employer) of the applicant in the Netherlands (Holland) by lodging an application to the IND and takes approximately 2 weeks. After submitting an application, the IND may request additional documents and information from the referee (sponsor). If the application will be rejected, there is no possibility to appeal. Thus this procedure needs a special preparation.
  • Application procedure (Aanvraagprocedure): in this case an application is lodged by the applicant himself in the Embassy of the Netherlands (Holland) in the country of his residence. The procedure takes about 2 weeks. After this period the IND will issue a decision, which may be appealed.

General conditions to be eligible for MVV visa:

  • A valid passport;
  • An absence of criminal record;
  • Sufficient financial means.

Special categories:

Since 15 March 2006 some categories of citizens wishing to get a Dutch (Netherlands) MVV visa have to undergo an exam on knowledge of Dutch (Netherlands) language and culture. This group includes citizens who want to marry, conclude cohabitation with a citizen of the Netherlands (Holland) and members of their family and priests (pastors, imams, etc). The exam consists of 2 parts: Dutch language skills and knowledge of Dutch society. This exam has to be taken in the Embassy of the Netherlands (Holland) in the country of the residence before submitting an application for the Dutch (Netherlands) MVV.

The other category includes citizens, exempted from Dutch (Netherlands) MVV requirement. These are citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and citizens of the EU. Despite the fact that these categories are exempted from the Dutch (Netherlands) MVV requirement, they may still submit the Dutch (Netherlands) MVV application. In this case the Dutch law allows them to start working immediately after lodging the MVV application and without waiting for the outcome of the procedure for getting a final residence permit.

Accelerated MVV procedure for firms, recruiting non-EU personal:

  • firm filed a minimum of 10 applications in a general procedure;
  • financial annual report presented by managers;
  • firm has to issue and sign an information sheet and declaration of guarantor;
  • firm has to be registered by the Chamber of Commerce; registration has to be approved by the expert of the trade register issued within past 30 days.

Accelerated Dutch (Netherlands) MVV procedure for educational institutions:

  • a study plan has to be presented.

Accelerated Dutch (Netherlands) MVV procedure for educational institutions:

  • a financial annual report has to be presented.
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1101 CB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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