How do I apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit?

Your host or sponsor can be, for example, a university, employer, partner or spouse. Your host/sponsor sends an application on your behalf to the Dutch Immigration Service (IND). Contact your host or sponsor for information regarding your application.

If you receive an approval letter for your long-stay visa from the IND, and you have an application number (V-number), you can apply for an entry permit that allows you to enter the Netherlands. This permit is also called a MVV-sticker. You can apply for your sticker at a consulate or embassy outside the Netherlands. Make sure you apply for your sticker within 3 months after approval.

You can apply for a long-stay visa directly at a Dutch embassy or consulate outside the Netherlands when you are:

• - a highly skilled migrant seeking employment on an orientational year;
• - an independent entrepreneur;
• - a start-up;
• - a foreign investor.