On 1 May 2006, the Code of Conduct International Students in Dutch Higher Education came into effect.
The Code of Conduct sets out standards for Dutch higher education institutions in their dealings with international students. By signing the Code of Conduct, the institutions are offering international students a guarantee of the quality of their programmes, student recruitment, selection and counseling procedures.
Only institutions that have signed up to the Code of Conduct are allowed to recruit international students from outside the European Union. The Code of Conduct was an initiative of the Dutch government and the institutions of higher education. Students from outside the EU, seeking a programme at an institution of higher education that did not sign the Code of Conduct, will not be able to obtain visas.