Guide To Obtaining A Netherlands MVV Visa: Requirements, FAQs & More

You must apply for a Dutch residency permit if you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. In many situations, however, you will also need to apply for a Netherlands long-stay visa (MVV).

What is a Netherlands MVV Visa?

A Netherlands long-stay or MVV visa (type D) is also known as a temporary stay authorization or a Dutch provisional residency permit. It allows the bearer to enter the Netherlands while their Dutch residence permit application is being processed.

Depending on your nation, you may be required to apply for both an MVV and a Dutch residence visa. In other situations, you will simply need a Dutch residence permit, which you can apply for within 90 days after being in the Netherlands.

An MVV visa, like a Schengen visa, allows the bearer to stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days while their residence permit is processed. However, unlike an MVV visa, a Netherlands Schengen visa cannot be used to apply for a Dutch residence permit.

Do I Need to Apply for an MVV Visa?

You will need to apply for an MVV unless:

• You are a citizen of an EU/EEA Member State or of Switzerland.
• You are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Vatican City, United States of America, or South Korea.
• You will be living with a close relative who is a citizen from an EU/EEA Member State or from Switzerland.
• You have a residence permit in another Schengen Area country.
• You have had a valid residence permit in the Netherlands in the last two years.
• You have a long-term residence permit EC from another European Community (EC) state.
• You have had a valid Netherlands Eu Blue Card in another participating EU/EEA country for at least 18 months.
• You are under 12 years of age, were born in the Netherlands, and live with your parents.
• You are applying for a start-up.
• You are transferring to the Dutch branch of a company within the framework of (long term) intra EU-mobility.

How to Apply for an MVV Visa?

First of all, if you do not need to apply for a Netherlands MVV visa, you can apply for a Netherlands residence permit directly. You can do this either in your home country or after you enter the Netherlands.

If you do need to apply for an MVV visa however, you will have to enter the civic integration exam.

Enter the civic integration exam

Adult applicants between the ages of 18 and 65 will be required to complete a civic integration exam before applying for an MVV visa to the Netherlands. This is a three-part exam that assesses your understanding of the Dutch language and society. You can take the exam on a computer at the Dutch embassy/consulate where you are applying. The exam currently costs €150.

You are not subject to the civic integration exam if:

• You are a Turkish national.
• You are applying for a residence permit adoption, paid employment, au pair, exchange, study, medical treatment, or as independent persons under an international treaty.
• You have certain qualifications, like a university degree, civic integration certificate and Dutch language qualifications.

Apply for the MVV visa

If you need an MVV visa to enter the Netherlands, you will have to apply through the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). You can apply in one of two ways:

• Apply yourself – If you are submitting your application yourself, you will have to do it through the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV) at the Dutch embassy/consulate in your home country.
• Apply through a sponsor – If you have a sponsor in the Netherlands, they can apply for you using the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). In order to apply on your stead, they need to complete an application form, obtain all the required documents from you, and submit the application directly to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). The IND processes all Dutch residence permit applications.

Pay the MVV visa fee

Just like with a short-stay Schengen visa, you will need to pay a fee in order for your application to be processed. The fee depends on your purpose of travel. You can see the list of the current Dutch long-stay visa fees here.

Wait for the Netherlands MVV visa application to be processed

It should take about 90 days for the IND to process your application.

• If your application is granted, you or your sponsor will be contacted, and you can pick up your MVV at the Dutch embassy/consulate within three months. You will be given a sticker for your passport and will have three months from the commencement date stated on the sticker to go to the Netherlands.
• If your application is denied, you or your sponsor may file an appeal or object. If you are eligible for an objection, you will receive a letter explaining you how to continue along with the denied application.

What is a Sponsor?

Sponsorship is usually required for Dutch residence permits. Sponsors are people or organizations that want third-country nationals to visit the Netherlands.

A family member or partner might sponsor your Dutch residence permit application to stay with relatives. Your employer sponsors you if you want to work in the Netherlands as a researcher or skilled migrant. If you want to study in the Netherlands, your school sponsors you.

Your sponsor must apply for the TEV procedure on your behalf if you are studying or working as a skilled migrant.

Types of Netherlands Long-stay Visas

Depending on your purpose of travel, when you submit your MVV and/or residence permit application, you will have to apply for one of the following visas:

Netherlands Family Visa

• A Netherlands family visa is issued to individuals who want to obtain a Dutch residence permit in order to join a family member or partner living in the Netherlands.

Netherlands Work Visa

• You will have to apply for a Netherlands work visa if you want to live in the Netherlands as an employee. You may also need an additional Dutch work permit.

Netherlands Student Visa

• If you’re a foreign student who has been accepted into a Dutch educational institution, you can apply for a Netherlands student visa or Dutch student permit.

Netherlands Au Pair Visa

• If you are aged 18-30, a Netherlands Au Pair visa allows you to stay with a host family for one year, where you can do light household work in exchange for board and lodging.

Netherlands Working Holiday Visa

• The Netherlands Working Holiday visa is issued to individuals 18-30 as part of the Working Holiday Program (WHP) or Working Holiday Scheme (WHS). This is a mutual cultural exchange program where the nationals of participating countries can stay in one of the other countries for up to 1 year.

Netherlands Self employed and Startup Visa

• If you want to move to the Netherlands to start your own business or work as a freelancer, you will have to apply for a Netherlands self-employment and Startup visa. Americans are eligible to apply for the DAFT visa.

Visa to retire in Aruba

• Aruba is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Although there is no formal visa designated just for retirement, there are various options for retiring in Aruba. Each visa has its own set of requirements, limitations, limits, and validity period. To learn more about each visa, please click on the link provided.