Temporary and non-temporary purposes of residence

Last update: 26 January 2023

You are coming to the Netherlands for a specific reason. For example, to live with your family, to work or to study. We call the reason for your residence the purpose of residence. A purpose of residence is temporary or non-temporary.

Temporary purposes

If you have a residence permit for a temporary purpose, you cannot apply for a permanent residence permit or the Dutch nationality.


These purposes of residence are temporary:

  • Residence as an adoptive or foster child. This residence purpose will be temporary if the family member with whom the child is living has a residence permit for a temporary purpose. Or if this family member has a temporary asylum residence permit.
  • Waiting for an application under Section 17 of the Netherlands Nationality Act (in Dutch: Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap or RWN).
  • Au pair.
  • Cross-border services.
  • Medical treatment.
  • Intra-corporate transfer (Directive 2014/66/EU).
  • As a trainee and for the purpose of work experience and the Young Workers Exchange Programme (YWEP) (gaining work experience).
  • Seasonal labour.
  • Study.
  • Temporary humanitarian grounds.
  • Exchange (Working Holiday and Cultural Exchange).
  • Residence with a family member or relative. The family member with whom you live has a residence permit for a temporary purpose. Or the family member has a temporary asylum residence permit.
  • Orientation year for highly educated persons.
  • Residence following a decision of the Minister for Migration, if the decision says that the right of residence is of a temporary nature.

Non-temporary purposes

If you have a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. But, you must meet the requirements of that residence permit.

These purposes of residence purposes are non-temporary:

  • Residence as an adoptive or foster child. This residence purpose is non-temporary if the family member with whom the child is living has one of these nationalities or residence permits. 
    • The family member is a Dutch national.
    • The family member is an EU/EEA national or a Swiss citizen.
    • The family member has a regular permanent residence permit or a permanent asylum residence permit.
    • The family member has a regular temporary residence permit for a non-temporary purpose.
  • Paid employment as non-privileged military personnel or non-privileged civilian personnel.
  • Paid employment.
  • Work as a self-employed person.
  • Foreign investor (wealthy foreign national).
  • Economically non-active EU long-term resident.
  • Long-term EU resident.
  • Holder of a European Blue Card.
  • Highly skilled migrant.
  • Non-temporary humanitarian grounds.
  • Permanent residence.
  • Research under Directive 2005/71/EG.
  • Research under Directive (EU) 2016/801.
  • Residence with a family member or relative. The family member with whom you live has one of these nationalities or residence permits
    • The family member is a Dutch national.
    • The family member is an EU/EEA national or Swiss citizen.
    • The family member has a regular permanent residence permit or a permanent asylum residence
         permit.
    • The family member has a regular temporary residence permit for a non-temporary purpose.
  • Residence following a decision of the Minister for Migration, if the decision says that the right of residence is of a non-temporary nature.
  • Residence under the Withdrawal Agreement for British nationals and their family members.
  • Residence with your minor Dutch child (Chavez-Vilchez).