Temporary residence for an accredited full-time higher-education programme. The recognised institution applies; funding and annual study progress remain conditions.
Route overview
Full-time higher education through an IND-recognised sponsor
Typical timeline / duration: Course duration plus three months, including an approved preparatory period, up to five years; valid only while the study requirements remain met.
Important notes
Enrol in an accredited full-time university or higher-professional-education programme at an IND-recognised sponsor. Only the institution can apply under this route; ordinary language-school admission is not enough.
Prove 12 months of living funds, separately from tuition. The higher-education norm for 1 January–31 December 2026 is €1,130.77/month, or €13,569.24 for twelve months; each study year requires renewed financial evidence.
Meet the general residence/identity conditions and provide the institution's documents, with legalisation and Dutch, English, French or German translations where required. Financial documents generally must be no more than three months old.
The institution files the residence application and MVV together when an MVV is required. Complete the representation's MVV appointment and later residence-card collection; an MVV is not a five-year residence document.
Earn at least 50% of each study year's credits. The institution assesses any justified shortfall and reports insufficient progress without good reason to IND; admission alone does not preserve the permit.
The September 2026 route page distinguishes the permit's course-linked duration from its 60-day statutory decision period, which may be extended. Neither the decision period nor a processing estimate is the allowed stay.
The 2026 application fee shown is €254, paid through the institution, subject to applicable exceptions. Tuition, insurance, living funds and any institutional charges are separate.
Employee work needs the employer's TWV: choose up to 16 hours/week or full-time in June, July and August. A course-integrated traineeship has a separate no-TWV rule.
Genuine self-employment does not require a TWV and is not subject to that employee-hour limit, while all study conditions continue. Register the business, pay tax and arrange Dutch health insurance if required.
An approved preparatory period normally lasts one year. Changing institutions requires a new recognised sponsor and notification to IND; it is not an unrestricted study-anywhere permit.
TB testing, where required, must be arranged within three months of receiving the permit. Family permits require separate eligibility; the family member admitted through the student route is not allowed to work.
Preparation checklist
Verify the exact accredited programme and institution on IND's recognised-sponsor register.
Agree the institution's document, tuition, funds and insurance requirements before filing.
Prepare accessible funds and recent evidence under the correct 2026 higher-education norm.
Let the institution file; after approval complete MVV/entry and residence-card collection where applicable.
Arrange required TB testing and keep annual funds and credit-progress records.
Before working, distinguish employee/TWV, curricular traineeship and genuine self-employment rules; assess any family application separately.