Temporary easing of the requirement of authorisation for a temporary stay (MVV) due to COVID-19

Last update: 16 April 2021

​The State Secretary for Justice and Security will temporarily ease the requirement for some specific groups to travel abroad to pick up an authorisation for a temporary stay (MVV) or to submit an application for a residence permit in the Netherlands.

The measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 actually have consequences as well for the right of residence of third-country nationals. Travel abroad is discouraged and, in addition, because of the flight ban, it is difficult at present for several nationalities to enter again.

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has also received various signals making it clear that people can end up in a difficult position because of this.

That is why from today, the easing already introduced in 2020 with respect to picking up the MVV will apply again. This concerns persons who have not been able to travel to their countries of origin since 15 June 2020 because of the discouragement of travel movements, but for whom an MVV application was started abroad that has been granted. And persons who entered the Netherlands between 15 June 2020 and 23 January 2021 and have not been able to travel back since 15 June 2020, and for whom an MVV application was started in the Netherlands that has been granted. Under certain conditions, they will not have to pick up the MVV.  

Finally, a temporary measure has been taken with respect to persons residing lawfully in the Netherlands, and risk ending up in a force majeure situation because of the discouragement of travel movements. Those persons will be offered the possibility to apply for a residence permit without an MVV if they meet a number of conditions.

Read more about the conditions for easing the MVV requirement on our page about the coronavirus