The Dutch student immigration pathway combines an MVV (entry visa) and residence permit applied for simultaneously through the TEV procedure. Universities act as recognized sponsors (referenten) and handle the application on behalf of students. Known for high English proficiency and many English-taught programs.
EU/EEA students pay statutory tuition of EUR 2,601/yr (2025-2026), EUR 2,694/yr (2026-2027). Non-EU/EEA students pay institutional tuition of EUR 6,000-20,000+/yr depending on program. Technical and medical programs tend to be more expensive. Government offers Holland Scholarship (EUR 5,000) for non-EU students.
Maximum 16 hours per week during academic year. Full-time work allowed June through August only. Employer must obtain a TWV (tewerkstellingsvergunning) work permit. Alternatively, students can register as self-employed (ZZP/freelancer) with no hour restrictions. Internships as part of study program are exempt.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoekjaar (Orientation Year for Graduates) | Job seeker | 12mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.0 | Most programs are English-taught. Score varies by university: 6.0-6.5 typical for bachelor, 6.5-7.0 for master. TOEFL iBT 80-100 also accepted. |
| NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal) | Admission | Dutch | Program II (B2) | Required for Dutch-taught programs only. NT2 Program II (B2 level) is the standard requirement. CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) also accepted. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVV + Residence Permit Application Fee | Application | $294 | One time |
Universities handle the TEV (combined MVV + residence permit) application as recognized sponsors. Students from EU/EEA/Switzerland do not need MVV. TB test required for nationals of certain countries. BSN (citizen service number) assigned upon registration at municipality. 30% ruling may apply to highly skilled migrants after graduation.
- Self-Employed Residence Permit (digital nomad visa)
- Netherlands DAFT Treaty Visa (freelancer)
- Netherlands Startup Visa (startup)
Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source