Extension residence permit for students

Students who currently apply for a residence permit card will receive a residence permit for a maximum period of one year. The permit can be extended after this year up to a maximum of nominal study period + 2 years (i.e. if you follow the BSc International Economics and Business of which the nominal study period is 3 years, the maximum amount of years you are able to obtain a residence permit is: 3 + 2 = 5 years).

The Immigration Office will send the residence permit extension forms to your home address approximately 3 months before your residence permit expires. If you did not receive these forms by then you can stop by the International Service Desk. We also have forms you can use.  

These documents are required

• Copy of valid passport (only the pages with personal details and period of validity).
• Copy of both sides of your current residence permit.
• Proof of registration at the University, please obtain at International Office.
• New passport photo (made in the Netherlands, not older than 6 months).

Change of purpose for the residence permit

If your purpose of stay changes you will need to apply for a change of purpose of your residence permit. Below you can find information on when a change of purpose takes place and what you will have to do. 

The purpose of stay changes if:

• the student has succesfully concluded a pre-programme and continues with his study at the university.
• the student will follow a different study programme at the same university.
• the student will follow a study programme at a different university.

In one of the cases above the student has to apply for a change of purpose of the residence permit. The International Service Desk has the forms for this application.
N.B. if the student finds a job as a scientific researcher at the University of Groningen, the student is kindly requested to contact the department of Human Resources or the International Service Desk.

These documents are required 

• Copy of your passport.
• Copy of both sides of your residence permit.
• Proof of registration at the university (please collect at the International Office of your faculty).
• Proof of sufficient financial means (a minimum of € 810 for every month of your stay).
• New passport photo (made in the Netherlands, not older than 6 months).  

 > More information

 > Information about extension of the residence permit for bursary students and guest researchers