Applying for a residence permit
Are you from a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland? If you wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days then it is most likely that you will need a verblijfsvergunning (residence permit). Which residence permit you need to apply for depends on which citizenship you hold and/or situation.
Last updated on 13 April 2022
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Are you a family member of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen?
If you are a family member of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen but you yourself do not have EU/EEA or Swiss citizenship, you must apply for a toetsing aan het EU-recht (verification against EU law). The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) sets out the conditions and procedure for toetsting aan het EU-recht.
Permanent residence after temporary EU residence permit
If you have lived in the Netherlands with a temporary EU residence permit, then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Regular residence permit
Do you want to live in the Netherlands to work, to study, for an exchange or to stay with a non-EU/EEA or Swiss family member? You need to apply for a regular residence permit. In some cases, you will need to apply for a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf – MVV (authorisation for temporary stay) first. This is a special entry visa. You can apply for a MVV and subsequent residence permit at the same time using the Toegang en Verblijf – TEV (admission and residence procedure).
Your nationality will determine whether you need an MVV, even if you are living outside your country of origin and have a residence permit. If you have the nationality of 1 of the following countries, you can apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands without an MVV.
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Vatican City
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- South Korea
Verblijfsdoel (purpose of stay)
When you apply for an MVV and/or residence permit, you must have a purpose for your stay. This is the reason why you wish to live in the Netherlands, such as living with a family member, studying or working. For each purpose of stay, there are unique conditions that must be met. Visit the IND website for more information about the conditions and procedure for each purpose of stay.
Permanent residence after temporary residence permit
If you have lived in the Netherlands on a verblijfsvergunning regulier bepaalde tijd (temporary residence permit), then you can apply for a verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd (permanent residence permit).
Verblijfsvergunning asiel (asylum residence permit)
If you wish to apply for asiel (asylum) in the Netherlands or if you are a dependent family member of someone wishing to apply for asylum in the Netherlands, the IND provides information regarding:
the procedure if you wish to apply for asylum for yourself;
the procedure if you are a dependent family member of someone wishing to apply for asylum.
Permanent residence after temporary asylum residence permit
If you have lived in the Netherlands with a verblijfsvergunning asiel voor bepaalde tijd (temporary asylum residence permit), you can apply for a verblijfsvergunning asiel voor onbepaalde tijd (permanent asylum residence permit).
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Law on foreign citizens 2000, article 21
Decree on foreign citizens 2000, article 3.92