You are eligible to apply for a student visa to the Netherlands if you have been accepted to a Dutch educational institution.

Who needs a student visa to the Netherlands?

A Dutch student visa and residence permit to study in the Netherlands is required by everyone except:

- Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

- A family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen. This category does not need a residence permit in the Netherlands, but will need to apply for a verification of compliance with EU law (certificate of lawful residence).

However, if you fall into the above categories and wish to study in the Netherlands for longer than three months, you will only need to register with the local Dutch authorities.

What are the types of student visas to the Netherlands?

- Dutch short-term student visa. This will be issued if your course/study will last less than three months.

- Student visa to the Netherlands for secondary and vocational education. Usually granted to students from Suriname, Indonesia or South Africa, but others may also be eligible. However, they must have family in the Netherlands and be able to speak and write Dutch.

- Dutch long-term student visa. Also known as a residence permit for students, it allows students to complete their studies in the Netherlands for five years.

How do I apply for a student visa to the Netherlands?

You cannot apply for a student visa to the Netherlands on your own. The educational institution where you will study will apply on your behalf.

In order to study in the Netherlands, you will need to obtain a temporary residence permit in the Netherlands. In some cases, you will also have to apply for a long-term visa (MVV). This allows the holder to stay in the Netherlands while they wait for their Dutch residence permit.

If you need an MVV, your sponsor can apply for both permits at the same time through the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV) directly to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

Your sponsor must be recognized by the IND. To be recognized, they must sign the Code of Conduct for International Students in Higher Education. This code ensures that universities offer international students an effective and affordable education.

What are the requirements for a student visa in the Netherlands?

Since your sponsor will be applying on your behalf, they will also provide you with a complete list of required documents. Different universities may have different requirements and conditions.

However, some standard requirements for a student visa to the Netherlands include:

• Standard documents required for any visa to the Netherlands.
• Your academic transcripts.
• An official letter from the educational institution where you will be studying.
• A complete study plan. You must explain why you want to study this particular field and how it relates to your previous studies.
• Proof that you can financially support yourself during your studies. You will need to have about 870 euros per month.
• Travel and health insurance for the duration of your stay.
• The fee for applying for a student visa to the Netherlands. 
• Tuberculosis test. You must get it within three months of your arrival in the Netherlands, otherwise your visa or residence permit will be revoked.
• You must be registered at the university/college you want to study at.
• You must be registered for a full-time course.
• An income statement.

Please note that you must have original copies of all your documents, as well as photocopies of each of them, including your passport and previous visas.

Also keep in mind that all of your official documents must be legalized or certified by a government agency in your home country. In some cases, an apostille stamp is sufficient proof of authenticity. Sometimes your documents also need to be legalized by the Dutch embassy/consulate in your country.

All your documents must be in Dutch, English, French or German. If they are not, they must be translated by a certified Dutch translator and submitted together with the originals.

How long is a student visa in the Netherlands valid for?

A student visa to the Netherlands is valid for as long as your study program lasts. It allows the holder to stay in the country for up to five years to complete their studies.

The student can also apply for a one-year residency before the course to prepare. After graduation, students can apply for an orientation permit, which allows them to stay in the Netherlands for a year to look for a job.

Keep in mind that you will need to maintain progress at at least 50% of the required credits each academic year. If you fail to do so, your student visa may be revoked.

Can I work on a Dutch student visa?

Yes, you can work if you are in the Netherlands on a student visa.

However, there are restrictions:

- You are allowed to work no more than 16 hours per week.

- You can only work full-time in June, July and August (seasonal work).

- You will need to have a work permit. Your employer must obtain it on your behalf.

- You do not need a work permit if you are doing an internship as part of your course. But your employer must sign an internship agreement with you and your university.