Visa and permits

To study in the Netherlands, non-EU and non-EEA students need a visa. Depending on your country of origin, you will either need a residence permit (VVR), or both an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit.

Below you will find information about the visa procedure and requirements.

Who does this apply to?

A residence permit is mandatory for all non-EU/non-EEA nationals who have been accepted at ArtEZ and will stay in the Netherlands for their studies. In addition, most non-EEA students also need an entry visa (MVV). This allows you to travel into the Netherlands, after which you can collect your residence permit.

Check the website www.netherlandsandyou.nl to find out if you need a long-stay visa.

Important! If you are admitted to a full-time bachelor’s, master’s or exchange programme, you cannot apply for a visa and residence permit yourself. ArtEZ will arrange this for you.

If you are admitted to a preparatory course or part-time courses, you must arrange your own visa (for example, a work visa, or residence through a partner or family member).

How ArtEZ applies for your visa

The Student Affairs department applies for your visa and permit once we have received:

all required documents, and
your  financial guarantee  (including the tuition fee and the income requirement set by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service – IND.

The ArtEZ Student Affairs Department will apply for your visa and permit as soon as we have received both all of the required documents and your financial guarantee (including the tuition fee and the income requirement as set by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)). Further information about the income requirement can be found below.

Below we describe the visa and permit procedure.

More information

Immigration documents – short film about the documents you need to study in the Netherlands
Student residence permit (IND) – official information for students at a university or university of applied sciences
Visas and permits (Study in Holland) – clear overview of vias and permit rules for international students.
Information brochures – download detailed brochures about studying in the Netherlands.

Start of the procedure

All non-EU students who need a residence permit must pay their financial guarantee and upload the following documents to Student Affairs no later than 31 May:

a copy of all pages of your passport
the completed and signed Appendix Antecedents Certificate
the completed and signed Declaration of Intent to undergo a TB test upon arrival in the Netherlands (if required - check this form for details)

Visa procedures take time. From submitting your documents to receiving your residence permit can take up to three months. Prepare your documents as soon as you are accepted, and send them in before 31 May.

Completion of the procedure

If you need both an entry visa (MVV) and residence permit:

After you submit your documents, you will be invited to make an appointment with the Dutch embassy/consulate in your home country.
Bring:
- Your passport (valid for at least 6 months),
- MVV form (download from the embassy website),
- A passport photo that meets Dutch requirements.

Your embassy/consulate will tell you know when your visa is ready, usually within wo weeks.

Students who only need a residence permit

You may travel to the Netherlands on a tourist visa (maximum 90 days). Once you arrive, you must go to an IND Desk as soon as possible to provide a passport photo, fingerprints and signature.

Visa fees

The visa fee for 2025 is €243. This amount must be transferred directly to ArtEZ. Payment instructions are provided in this brochure.

Income requirement (IND)

The IND requires proof that non-EEA students can support themselves in the Netherlands.
For 2025, the amount is:

€1,094.12 per month
or €13,129.44 for the full academic year.

This is not a fee. ArtEZ will transfer the money back to your Dutch bank account after the visa procedure is complete.

Exchange students only need to prove funds for the months they will be studying (e.g. €1,094.12 x 6 months = €6,564.72 for one semester.

Annual check for degree students (MoMi)

A residence permit for study is valid for the length of your programme. You need to renew it every year. However, ArtEZ is required to check two things annually:

Study progress: you must obtain at least 30 ECTS credits per academic year by 31 August. If you do not, ArtEZ must report this to the IND and your permit will be cancelled, unless there are exceptional circumstances (like illness, pregnancy, family matters, etc.). Report these to your student counsellor as soon as possible.
Income requirement: after the first year, you no longer need to prove your funds each time. Instead, you will sign a statement confirming that you have sufficient financial means.

After graduating

ArtEZ must inform the IND within 28 days of your graduation.

Non-EU students who graduate in the Netherlands can apply for the Orientation Year Highly Educated Persons. This visa lets you stay in the country for one year to find a job or start a business.

Apply before your residence permit expires. Your current study residence permit remains valid for three months after graduation (as long as this does not go beyond the expiry date on the card).