Frequently asked questions

You are not allowed to change your main residence. The period of time that you are allowed to stay outside the Netherlands depends on your residence permit. Find out the period you may stay outside the Netherlands with your type residence permit.

A researcher that wants to apply for a residence permit highly skilled migrant, needs to have an employment contract (or appointment decision). A researcher based on the Directive (EU) 2016/801 only needs a hosting agreement.

Are you mentioned on the back of the residence card as the parent with whom the minor child is staying? Then you are a social sponsor. You can submit an application for an extension of the residence permit of your minor child. You use your own DigiD to log in.

In general, you can only upload documents that are requested on the form.

Did you already send in your online or written application and now you want to upload additional documents? You may do this as long as no decision has yet been made about your application. Upload the additional documents as follows:

• Go to Uploading documents after your application. Upload documents by using the link in that section.

You need Digid with sms code to upload. Also keep your case number handy. You can find the case number on the confirmation of receipt.

You have to send a photo card to the IND in the mail. You cannot upload the photo card because the quality of the photograph is not good enough.

Contact the IND. We can check to see whether we have received your application properly.

If the IND has not received your application, then we will deposit the money back into your bank account. Please submit a new application.

​Excess payments will be automatically deposited in your bank account. You need not take any action in this regard.

​If you want to save your application and complete it later, follow these steps:

1. In your online application find the menu button (upper left of the page)
2. Click 'Save'.

Often you will get a follow-up question depending on your browser/browser preferences.

For example, are you working with Internet Explorer? Then below on your screen you will see the text: 'Do you want to open or save the file?' If you choose 'save', Internet Explorer will normally save this file in the Downloads folder. The file is now in the Downloads folder. The saved file has the extension .tfa.

Now your online application has been temporarily saved on your own computer.

You can find the saved application using these steps:

1. Go to the website and click on the online application form you need.
2. Log in with your DigiD and sms code.
3. Click the menu button (upper left of the screen) and select 'Open'.
4. Click 'Select a file'. This opens the Explorer/Finder.
5. Go to the Downloads folder.
6. In the Downloads folder, select the .tfa file you saved before.

You can only upload PDFs with a maximum of 8 MB per file. Do not password protect PDFs for the IND. Read more about uploading documents.

Due to a technical limitation you cannot re-open a saved TFA file larger than 25 MB. You can prevent this by saving your application without uploads. Add the uploads when you re-open your saved application and are going to submit it. We are working on a solution.

Is there maintenance or a malfunction at DigiD?

DigiD is not part of the IND. Do you want to know if there is maintenance or a malfunction with DigiD? Then please check logius.nl (Dutch only).

Is there no maintenance or malfunction at DigiD but you are unable to log in with your DigiD?

This may have a number of causes:

• You are not using the correct username or password. Check that you are using the correct data. Pay attention to upper and lower case letters.
• You have not activated your DigiD. First activate your DigiD with the activation code you received by letter.
• Your DigiD is blocked. Wait until the blockage is lifted after the specified time and try again.
• Your DigiD has expired because it has not been used for three years. If so, reapply for your DigiD.

Your software on your computer or mobile device may also no longer meet DigiD's minimum security requirements. Since 13 May 2019, it is no longer possible to log in with DigiD if you are using an outdated operating system.

How can I check if my operating system and software meet the minimum requirements?

To check whether your operating system and browser meet the minimum requirements, go to the website PKIoverheid (Dutch only).

If you then see two green areas, your operating system and browser meet the minimum requirements. If this is not the case, please update your operating system and also your browser to the latest version. Use the manual or help function of your operating system and browser to perform the update.　

You can also log in with another device that does have the correct operating system and browser.

Check whether you have completed all the fields on the page. Then click 'next'.

Make sure your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome) is up-to-date or the 'next' button won't work. 
Update your browser and try again.

Many questions have explanations. Click on the link with the question. You will find a pop-up text with an explanation of the question.

This depends on whether you are married and what country you would move to.

You are married or registered partners

Moving abroad will not change anything for the application for naturalisation. This only does not apply when you move to the country of your partner's nationality. You cannot become a Dutch citizen when living in the country of which you have the nationality.

You are unmarried partners

A move abroad does have implications for the application for naturalisation. This is because as unmarried partners you must live together in the Netherlands for the entire naturalisation process.

​No, that is not allowed. In the Netherlands you are only allowed to be married to one person. That also means that only 1 spouse with his/her children is allowed to live with you in the Netherlands.

Manager: 
An employee holding a senior position, who primarily directs the management of the concern (host entity), or a department or subdivision. The manager is receiving general supervision or guidance principally from the board of directors or shareholders of the business. Or equivalent persons. The position includes:

• Directing the host entity or a department or subdivision of the host entity.
• Supervising and controlling work of the other supervisory, professional or managerial employees. 
• Having the authority to recommend hiring or dismissing personnel. And authority in other matters of personnel policy. 

Specialist: 
A person possessing specialised knowledge essential to the host entity's areas of activity, techniques or management. This knowledge is assessed on two points: 

1. The specific knowledge the host entity is looking for.   
2. Whether the employee has a high level of qualification for the type of work or activity. This includes adequate professional experience and possible membership of an accredited profession. 

Trainee: 
A person with a university degree who is transferred to a host entity for careerd development purposes or in order to obtain training in business techniques or methodes. The trainee is paid during the transfer. 

A trainee is already at least 3 months employed with the group of undertakings. There is no minimum term for apprentices. A trainee also must have a Master's degree from university. This does not apply to an apprentice. 

A group of undertakings exist of two or more companies for which is recognised that according to national law they are linked. The companies are linked in one of the following ways:

• An undertaking holds a majority of the other undertaking's subscribed capital, directly or indirectly.
• An undertaking controls a majority of the votes attached to the other undertaking's issued share capital, directly or indirectly.
• An undertaking can appoint more than half of the members of that undertaking's administrative, management or supervisory body, directly or indirectly. 
• The undertakings operate under the central supervision of the parent company.

This definition is differs from the definition of a group of undertakings in the Foreign Nationals Employment Act.

In a network organisation the local partners are only linked through a set of agreements that each division needs to uphold. The local partners all own there own company.  Neither of the parties in a cooperation possesses a majority of another partner organisation. Therefore, they are not part of a group of undertakings.

If economic activities take place at a charity  or non-profit organisation that organisation falls within the scope of the ICT Directive. All other conditions will have to be met as well. 

The EU Court considers any activity that is to offer goods or services on a market as an economic activity.

No, you do not have to submit proof of your income when you apply for a residence permit orientation year. You will have to sustain yourself during the orientation year, but you do not have to show how. You will be allowed to work during your orientation year.

During the orientation year you are not allowed to use public funds, like a social assistance benefit. Receiving, for example, an unemployment benefit (in Dutch: WW-uitkering), a sickness benefit, rent benefit, healthcare benefit, childcare benefit and/or supplementary child benefit is allowed.

No, you cannot. When you have studied abroad, you should at least have obtained a master's degree. 

You can only apply for the orientation year if you have done scientific research at an educational institution funded or designated by the Dutch government, or at a research institution funded or subsidized directly or indirectly, wholly or partly, by the Dutch government. This is stated in Article 2.1, first paragraph, under b, of the Aliens Employment Act Implementation Decree 2022.

You meet this condition when your letter of appointment or employment contract states the job title and job code as drawn up in the University Job Classification System (Universitair Functieordeningssysteem (UFO) in Dutch). Your job code should begin with 01.

No, that is not necessary. You can work freely in the Netherlands during the orientation year, so your employer can wait until the end of your orientation year before he applies for a new residence permit for you. Do make sure that your employer applies before your residence permit for orientation year ends. Your residence permits will then be continous. 

If the product or service of the start-up permit is part of the existing company's core business, there is no need to register a new company.

Yes, that's possible. A non-EU or non-EEA citizen can apply for a start-up residence permit, even if the company in question has participated in an accelerator programme in the past. But this third person must still fulfil all requirements for the start-up permit. This includes having an agreement with a trustworthy and qualified facilitator.

No, the facilitator does not have the legal position of sponsor (referent). But the facilitator does have certain obligations. These are stated in the  agreement that the facilitator and the applicant of the residence permit for start-up sign.

With the orientation year you will have time to find a job as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands. During the orientation year you can work freely in the Netherlands. This means that your employer does not need a work permit for you. And your employer only has to pay at least the legal minimum wage (including holiday allowance). You can also use the orientation year to start your own business. 

Did you find a job as a highly skilled migrant? In that case a reduced salary criterion applies to you. This makes it easier and cheaper for an employer to hire you. You keep the reduced salary criterion, also when you change employers. Read the requirements for a residence permit for highly skilled migrant. 

No, that is not possible. The fee is paid for reviewing the application. 

Do you need more information about your application, decision periods or letters sent by the IND? If so, we suggest you visit our website first. If you have any further questions, please call us at 0880 - 430 430 (normal charges apply, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).

Have you received a letter from the person processing your application? If you have any questions, please contact them directly. For example, if you cannot provide us with the documents we have requested.

You will find the direct phone number of the employee concerned in our letter (under ‘Contactpersoon’).
 

You can request a payment reference from the IND. You can only do this by calling us.

No. It is not possible to pay the fees in installments. We will not process your application until you have paid the full fee.

Once you have submitted an application to the IND, you will receive a notification.  You can track your application in My IND. When the IND has processed your application, you will see the status 'Received'. 

An application submitted online is usually visible within a few minutes. Is your application not visible after a few minutes? Then do not call us immediately. After a maximum of 5 days, your application will be visible in My IND. A written application is registered in about 10 days. 

The IND does not provide information on the status of your application until a decision has been made. In most situations, a (statutory) decision period applies. The IND can make use of the entire decision period to process your application.

Follow your application in My IND.

Do you not have DigiD? And has the decision period ended? Please, call the IND.

Have you applied for asylum and are you waiting for a decision? Find out more information about the processing of asylum applications on Asylum: latest developments.

V-number stands for foreign national number. Anyone who applies for a residence permit will be given this number. You'll find the number in letters from the IND. You will also find it on the back of your residence card, after the letters VNR at the bottom.

If you have lived in another EU Member State as a Dutch national, you have made use of the EU law on the free movement of people. You may therefore be seen as a community citizen. Your partner can apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen. Read more about the requirements on Dutch nationals and EU law.

​Yes, but the new educational institution must be recognized as a sponsor. The new educational institution also has to notify the IND of your transfer. You do not need to apply for a new residence permit.

This is allowed if you and your partner meet the requirements for a residence permit for partner.

If you change your employer, both you and your employer must notify the IND according to regulations. In practice, your employer will deregister you but it is your responsibility to check the deregistration with your employer. Whether you have to apply for the new residence permit depends on the residence permit you currently hold. 

Only notify the change of employer

You or your employer only has to notify the change if you have one of the following residence permits:

• highly skilled migrants;
• European blue card;
• Intra-Company Transfer (ICT Directive);
• scientific researcher (Directive 2005/71/EG); or
• researcher/research worker permit (Directive (EU) 2016/801).

You do need to keep satisfying the conditions of your residence permit.

Notify and apply for new residence permit

Do you have a single permit (GVVA) for residence and work? You or your employer have to submit a new application. In such a case the IND again asks advice of the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency (UWV) whether you fulfil the criteria of the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. Is the advice from the UWV is positive and is your residence permit still valid for a period of 3 months or longer? You will receive only a new additional document. Is your residence permit valid for less than 3 months? You will receive a new residence permit and a new additional document.

Notify and apply for a new work permit at UWV

Do you hold a residence permit for paid employment (only residence permit)? Your new employer has to apply for a new work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV) from the Employment Insurance Agency (UWV). Have you worked for 5 years continuously? Then you are usually free to work in the Netherlands and you don't need a work permit (TWV) anymore. Always have your employer inform at UWV if a TWV is necessary.

You no longer meet the requirements of you residence permit

If you do not meet the requirement of your residence permit anymore, it will be revoked. See whether you meet the requirements of another residence permit for work and apply for that permit. 

If you wish to stay in the Netherlands after your studies, you have to apply for a new residence permit. As a graduate you can make use of the orientation year for graduates. With your permit for the orientation year you have one year to find work in the Netherlands, for example as a highly skilled migrant. 

Have you graduated? Your residence permit for study purposes will remain valid until 3 months after you deregister from your educational institution. 

You can also apply for a start-up residence permit. This gives you one year to start an innovative company.

Do you have the possibility to do scientific research? Your employer or research institute can apply for a residence permit for you as a researcher highly skilled migrant, or as a researcher under directive (EU) 2016/801.

It is not possible to bring a child who has reached the age of majority to the Netherlands. Unless there are exceptional circumstances. For more information, contact the IND.

When you applied for a residence permit, you stated your nationality. You received your residence permit with this nationality. If you want to apply for Dutch citizenship, you must renounce your nationality. Different rules apply to a person who is stateless.

Yes, it is possible, just like with your student residence permit. You do have to meet all the requirements. You can find the requirements at Family and partner. 

Requirement sufficient income

Do your family members already have a Dutch residence permit? In this case, you do not need to prove that you have sufficient income. 

Do your family members not have a Dutch residence permit yet? In this case, you need to prove that you have sufficient income. There are two situations in which you have sufficient income:

• You have a job with which you earn independent, sufficient and sustainable income.
• You have an amount in your bank account equal to 12 times the social assistance benefit (bijstandsnorm) including holiday allowance.

In both situations you and your family members are not allowed to apply for public funds. A public fund is for example a social assistance benefit. However, you are allowed to receive an unemployment benefit (WW-uitkering), sickness benefit, rental benefit, healthcare benefit, childcare benefit and/or additional child benefit.

 

By signing a sponsorship declaration, you guarantee the costs of a foreigner's stay/residence in the Netherlands.  You also guarantee that this foreigner leaves the Netherlands on time. The sponsorship declaration tells you exactly what your obligations are.

​There is no legally set period of validity regarding the legalization of the 'Proof of Sponsorship/Accommodation'. The embassies and consulates use different periods of validity. For the latest information, contact the embassy or consulate. In the case of a possible objection, you will not need to have the form legalized again.

A permanent residence permit or long-term resident EU permit does not expire. Has your permanent residence card or long-term resident EU document expired? You are still allowed to work. However, you can apply for renewal of your residence document. 

It is possible to sponsor up to 2 adults plus 1 or 2 children at a time. You do have to use a separate form 'proof of sponsorship/accommodation' for each person. You must also have a legalisation of your signature on each form. The Dutch representation abroad or the Consular Service Organisation (CSO) determines if you can sponsor multiple persons and how many.