Apply for MVV and residence permit from abroad

Last update: 15 July 2024

You want to apply for a residence permit and need a provisional residence permit (in Dutch: machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf or MVV ). You must apply for the MVV and residence permit at the same time. You apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad. Find out how to submit the application and which application form you need.

Make an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate

Before you can apply for the MVV and residence permit, you must make an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of origin, or country of continuous residence.

Your country of origin is the country of which you have the nationality. The country of continuous residence is the country where you may stay for more than 3 months. Because you have a residence permit or are waiting for a decision on a residence application. If there is no Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of origin or country of continuous residence, you make an appointment at the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate.

On netherlandsworldwide.nl you can see where you apply for an MVV yourself.

Information about your appointment

Take the completed application form, your passport photo and your valid passport with you to the appointment. Sometimes you need to bring extra documents. These are listed in the application form. A staff member of the Dutch embassy or consulate will register your application and fill in the application date on the application form. The staff member will also fill in the details of the Dutch embassy or consulate. You will get the form back afterwards. You will receive a confirmation of receipt with your personal V-number.

The Dutch embassy or consulate will also take your biometric data: you have to provide your signature and fingerprints. These data are needed for the residence permit.

Minor children

Children under 12 must go to the Dutch embassy or consulate, together with a legal representative. A legal representative is a parent with parental authority or a guardian.

Send application to IND

Have you completely filled in the application form? And have you collected all requested documents? Then send your own application with the documents to the IND in the Netherlands. You must do this within 3 weeks of the date that the Dutch embassy or consulate filled in on your application form. On the form you can find out where you must send the application.

Pay costs of application

You must pay a fee to be able to apply. You must do so within 3 weeks of the date that the Dutch embassy or consulate filled in on your application form. The application form explains how you must pay the costs.

Application form

Is your residence purpose not listed in one of the forms below? Then your sponsor (recognised sponsor) probably has to apply to the IND in the Netherlands. For more information, go to the web page about your residence permit.

Family: (married) partner and minor child

Family: other situations, including adopted child and foster child

Self-employed person

Start-up

Working in the Netherlands

Orientation year as a highly educated migrant seeking employment 

Working Holiday: Argentina, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Uruguay

Re-entry in the Netherlands

Medical treatment / Residence on grounds of Article 8 ECHR 

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