Seafaring service as a crew member on board a seagoing vessel
Requirements
- You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
- You are a seafarer. You can demonstrate this with a valid seaman’s book.
- You will be staying as a crew member on board a seagoing vessel in a Dutch seaport for longer than 90 days. This stay does not exceed 11 months.
- You have a valid employment contract with your employer. You are, for instance, employed by a shipping company or recruitment agency.
- You are entitled to free accommodation from the ship manager. The ship manager also pays for your living expenses.
- You meet the income requirements.
- You will be performing seafaring service on this particular vessel. This means taking care of the vessel, crew, cargo or passengers on a daily basis.
- In the 6 months before your application, you have not had a Dutch residence permit for seafaring service as a member of the crew on board a seagoing vessel.
- The number of seafarers does not exceed the minimum crew for that vessel. Unless there are special circumstances.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit:
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1. Check requirements A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application
Make sure you meet the requirements.
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1. Check requirements Make sure you meet the requirements.
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2. Collect documents The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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2. Collect documents The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
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3. Apply It is possible to apply for this permit from 1 April 2026. You or your authorised representative will apply for the provisional resident permit (MVV) and the residence permit at the same time at the Dutch representation abroad.
Making an appointment at the Dutch representation
Before you can apply for the provisional residence permit (MVV) and residence permit, you must make an appointment with the Dutch representation (embassy or consulate) in your country of origin or country of permanent residence.
The country of origin is the country of your nationality. The country of permanent residence is the country where you are allowed to stay for more than 3 months. Because you have a residence permit there or are waiting for a decision on a residence application. Is there no Dutch representation in your country of origin or country of permanent residence? Then make an appointment at the nearest Dutch representation.
During the appointment at the Dutch representation
Bring the completed application form, your passport photo and your valid passport to the appointment. Sometimes you need to bring additional documents. This is stated in the application form. An employee of the Dutch representation registers your application and puts the application date on the application form. The employee also fills in the details of the Dutch representation. The form is then returned to you. You will receive confirmation of receipt with your personal V-number.
The Dutch representation will also take your biometrics: you will have fingerprints taken and you must provide your signature. This information is needed for the residence permit.
Send the application to the IND
Is the application form filled in completely? And have you collected all the requested documents? Please send the application with the documents yourself to the IND in the Netherlands. Wait 1 week after the appointment at the Dutch representation to send the application. The form tells you where the application needs to be sent. Be sure to send the application within 3 weeks after the appointment.
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3. Apply It is possible to apply for this permit from 1 April 2026. You or your authorised representative will apply for the residence permit from the IND.
You or your authorised representative will submit the application in writing by post.
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4. Pay for application The application costs € 423,00. For all fees and exceptions, see the page Fees: costs of an application.
The application form tells you how to pay the fees. Wait 1 week after the appointment at the Dutch representation to pay the fee for the application. Pay the fee no later than 3 weeks after the appointment.
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4. Pay for application The application costs € 423,00. The IND will send a letter instructing you how to pay.
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5. Wait for decision on application The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.
We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send you a letter.
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5. Wait for decision on application The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.
We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send you a letter.
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6. Decision on application You will receive a message with the decision. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: you will get an MVV and a residence permit.
- Negative decision: you will not receive an MVV and residence permit. You can object against this decision.
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6. Decision on application You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: you will get a residence permit.
- Negative decision: you will not receive a residence permit. You can object against this decision.
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7. Make appointment for MVV visa sticker and travel to the Netherlands Your can travel to the Netherlands with the MVV.
Make appointment within 3 months of decision
You will have to make an appointment at the Dutch representation. This is the embassy or consulate that you filled in on the application form. You have to make the appointment within 3 months after the IND has taken a decision on your application.
Biometrics
You must provide biometric data during the appointment at the Dutch representation. You will put a signature and the Dutch representation will take fingerprints. You also needs to bring 1 new passport photo. Go to netherlandsworldwide.nl for information on requirements for ID photos.
Valid passport required
Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months when the Dutch representation places the MVV visa sticker in the passport. The MVV is valid for 90 days.
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8. Collect residence permit When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.
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7. Collect residence permit When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.
The residence permit
Other things 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 at the Municipal Health Service (in Dutch: Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after receiving the residence permit. Take with you to the appointment:
Working with the residence permit
The back of the residence permit states whether you are allowed to work. Your residence permit states ‘Work not permitted’.
You may only work as a seafarer on the seagoing vessel
However, you may work with this residence permit as a member of the crew on board the seagoing vessel for which the residence permit has been applied for. You may only perform seafaring service. These are activities to keep the vessel ready for use. Work such as (major) maintenance, renovation and construction of seagoing vessels does not fall under seafaring service.
Legal rights and obligations
You have an obligation to provide information. This means that you must notify the IND of changes in your situation. Read more about your obligation to provide information.
The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may get an administrative fine.
Validity of residence permit
Your residence permit is valid for the duration of work on the mentioned vessel. The residence permit is valid for a maximum of 11 months.
Type of residence permit
The residence permit is type I, temporary regular residence permit.
Family reunification
Family reunification is not allowed with this residence permit.
Other applications
Replacement of the residence permit
Has your 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.
Extending the residence permit
Was your residence permit valid for 11 months? Then it is not possible to extend it.
Was your residence permit valid for a period shorter than 11 months and is this permit expiring soon? And you are still performing seafaring service on the vessel? Then you or your employer can extend the residence permit up to the maximum 11 months for performing seafaring service on the same vessel. You must meet all the requirements, however.