Residence permit Cultural exchange
Requirements
These requirements apply to you and the host family:
- You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
- You are at least 18 and no more than 30 years old at the time of the application. Except when you are between the ages of 15 and 18 and it is stated in the exchange programme that this is allowed.
- You previously did not have a residence permit for exchange purposes in the Netherlands.
- You have enough money to pay for your stay in the Netherlands.
- You have insurance that covers healthcare expenses in the Netherlands.
- You are going to live with a host family that is registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basis Registratie Personen (BRP)). You also have to register at the town hall in the municipality where you are living.
- Your host family consists of 2 or more persons. These persons have the Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit for the Netherlands.
- You have not previously worked for the host family, in the Netherlands or abroad.
- You are going to temporarily live in the Netherlands for an exchange programme via a recognised exchange organisation (recognised sponsor).
- You are going to learn about the Dutch culture and society during your stay with the host family. And by doing activities of the exchange organisation and following an education.
- You are not going to take care of people who need special care for which you must have a specific skill. For example nursing tasks.
- You have not signed a contract with a host family, intermediary agency (Dutch or foreign) or exchange organisation in which it is stated that you must pay a financial penalty, if you do not comply with the contract.
- You have not paid any fees to an intermediary agency (Dutch or foreign) or exchange organisation for a security deposit.
Volunteer via European Solidarity Corps
If you want to do volunteer work in the Netherlands via the European Solidarity Corps, you must have a contract with a recognised exchange organisation . If you´ve previously had a residence permit for exchange purposes in the Netherlands, you may also apply for a residence permit for volunteer work via European Solidarity Corps.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit:
-
1. Check requirements open minus -
1. Check requirements open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
7. Collect MVV and travel to the Netherlands open minus -
7. Collect residence permit open minus -
8. Collect residence permit open minus
Application forms
The exchange organisation can submit this application online.
More information on access to and the possibilities in Business Portal
Written application forms
More information on access to and the possibilities in Business Portal
Written application forms
The residence permit
Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit:
TB test
Did you indicate at the time of the application that you will take a TB (tuberculosis) test? Then make an appointment with the public health service (in Dutch: Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after you have received your residence permit. Take with you to the appointment:
Working with the residence permit
On the back of your residence permit it says: Work permit not required for specific work, other work not permitted (in Dutch: TWV niet vereist voor specifieke arbeid, andere arbeid niet toegestaan). TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning which means work permit in Dutch.
With the residence permit for cultural exchange purposes, you may only do volunteer work. This must be explained in the exchange programme. No work permit (TWV) is needed for volunteer work.
Legal obligations
You have an obligation to provide information. Other obligations apply to the host family and the exchange organisation.
Read more about the obligations of the recognised sponsor and about the foreign national’s obligation to provide information.
The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may get an administrative fine.
Validity of the residence permit
The residence permit for cultural exchange purposes is valid for a maximum of 1 year.
The residence permit for volunteer work via European Solidarity Corps is valid for the period that you do volunteer work, with a maximum of 1 year.
You must meet the requirements throughout this time. You may switch to a different host family or a different exchange agency. The exchange agency must, however, notify the IND of this.
Type of residence permit
The residence permit is type I, temporary regular residence permit.
Other applications
You cannot extend the residence permit for cultural exchange. Has the residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of personal details or residence permit lost or stolen.