Provisional residence permit 'MVV' (entry visa)

What is an MVV and (why) do I need one? 

If you are a student from country group III or IV  and you will be staying for longer than three months (90 days), you might need a ‘provisional residence permit’, MVV (type D) (in Dutch: 'Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf or MVV') to enter the Netherlands. This is a sticker placed in your passport at the Dutch embassy or consulate-general in your home country or in a third country where you are legally residing. An MVV (type D) is requested for a specific purpose, in your case this would be study. 

Conditions and procedures for requesting an MVV (type D)

The faculty where you will be studying will request the MVV (type D) visa for you, it is not possible to apply for an MVV yourself. You will need to send a number of documents to the faculty. The faculty will let you know what documents are needed.

 

Your faculty will send the documents that you have provided for your MVV (type D) application on to the International Service Desk (ISD). The ISD is part of the University’s Office for International Relations and is responsible for the MVV (type D) applications. After the ISD has checked whether the application is complete and all the relevant documents are included, it sends the application to the IND. 

Duration 

It can take up to six weeks for the IND to decide to issue a visa for a (PhD) student. Once the International Service Desk receives notification from the IND, they will send you (and your faculty) written confirmation. The IND will inform the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence about the decision. You need to contact the embassy or consulate yourself to ask if they have received the approval of the IND and when your visa will be ready. This can take up to 10 days. An MVV (type D) must be picked up from the Dutch embassy or consulate within six months of a positive decision. After receiving the MVV (type D) – it is a sticker in your passport - you have six months in which you can travel to the Netherlands.If you do not travel within six months your MVV (type D) visa will expire. It is not possible to extend the validity of your MVV (type D). 

Travelling with an MVV

With an MVV (type D) visa you can enter the Netherlands directly or transfer through other Schengen countries on your way to the Netherlands. After arrival in the Netherlands on an MVV (type D), it is still possible to travel within the Schengen countries until you have received your residence permit.

You are a prospective international student (Bachelor's, Master's or exchange):

• The International Service Desk applies for an MVV entry visa on your behalf.
• You will have to pay a visa application and residence fee (€ 600) 
• The visa application procedure can take up to six weeks.
• The International Service Desk will contact you by e-mail once the visa is approved.
• Within several working days you can collect the MVV entry visa at the embassy. Some embassies may require a legalised birth certificate or a certificate of marriage.

What can you do yourself to make the procedure easier and quicker?

• Contact the international office of your faculty well in advance of departure to start the procedure.
• If applicable, arrange a legalised birth certificate or a certificate of marriage before collecting your visa at the Dutch Embassy.
• For degree students: transfer the amount of at least € 7836 (amount set by Immigration authorities as proof of adequate financial means of support) to your faculty at the University of Groningen to speed up the application.

Which documents are needed?

The following documents are required for an MVV entry visa application: 

• Valid passport.
• Proof of adequate financial means of support (at least € 810 per month).
• Letter of acceptance or letter of invitation from the University of Groningen stating the purpose and duration of the stay.
• A Nuffic certificate (for Chinese students only, with the exception of residents from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao).

Be sure to check with the international office of the faculty to confirm that this list is still accurate and complete as it is subject to change. For questions please contact the international office of your faculty or the International Service Desk.