Netherlands Student Visa for Indians 2024: Requirements, Cost, Process

A Netherlands student visa is a crucial requirement to enter the country for study purposes. As the Netherlands student visa success rate is quite high for international students (approximately 80-90%), more and more international students seeking to study abroad are selecting the Netherlands to pursue their higher education. There are compelling benefits to pursuing a course of study there including top education, affordable tuition fees, pocket-friendly living costs, easy Netherland study visa requirements, etc.

This Story also Contains

1. Latest Updates on Netherland Students Visa 2024
2. Advantages of Studying in Netherlands
3. Types of Netherlands Student Visa for Indians
4. Netherlands Study Visa Requirements
5. Documents Required for Netherlands Study Visa
6. How to apply for Netherlands Student Visa?
7. Netherlands Student Visa Fee
8. Netherlands Student Visa: Terms and Conditions
9. Part-Time Work on Netherlands Student Visa

The type of Netherlands student visa required depends on the duration and nature of the course. For short-term courses lasting less than three months, a Schengen Visa is necessary. For longer programs, such as bachelor's or master's degrees, the student must obtain an Entry Visa (MVV) along with a Residence Permit (VVR). Every type of Netherlands student visa validity is above 3 months of the duration of study. In this article, we will learn more about the documents, processing time, part-time work along with the Netherlands student visa, fees, and many more.

As per the Netherlands Student Visa Requirements 2024, one who is applying for study in the Netherlands must have a passport with a validity of at least 12 months at the time of application. It is one of the primary concerns for many students is determining their eligibility for a student visa to the Netherlands. Although the estimated Netherlands student visa success rate is approximately 80-90%, applications can get rejected if not up to the standard requirements. So, one must check Netherlands student visa requirements which include a passport, offer letter, insurance and medical certificates, and many more before applying for the permit.

Netherlands student visa IELTS requirements are generally a minimum of 6.5-7 or its equivalent. Also, there is no upper cap regarding the Netherlands student visa age limit. Anyone who has an admission offer from a university in the country can apply for a Netherlands study visa. Usually, the Netherlands visas are not rejected given all conditions are satisfactorily met.

Latest Updates on Netherland Students Visa 2024

October, 2024:

• The Dutch Government is advancing the proposal by Mr Bruins, Netherlands education minister about limiting the English taught programmes in universities. This is to address the issue of the increasing number of international students in the country. The new plan emphasises on limiting the number of bachelor's degrees taught in English to a maximum of one-third of all taught courses. There is a need to increase the number of courses in the Dutch language due to the consistent rise of foreign students in the Netherland which causes the lack of student accommodations and full classrooms.

Advantages of Studying in Netherlands

Yes, the Netherlands is a great place to study. It is a hub of some of the top universities in the world. Students with limited financial resources can consider pursuing any of the courses as per their career aspirations.

There are different reasons to study in the Netherlands. A few of the factors making the Netherlands a great place to study for international students instead of other top study-abroad countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, etc include the following:

• Top Netherlands Universities: the Netherlands is a hub of some of the top universities in the world which offers highly ranked courses for international students. Some of the universities are also pocket-friendly.

• Booming Economy: The Netherlands has a thriving and rapidly growing industry i every field which is providing international students with practical experiences with the help of internships in real-world environments. This also increases the demand for students after their graduation.

• Work Opportunities: Abundance of work opportunities of both kinds which are full-time and part-time are provided to international students pursuing their academic courses. So, many part-time jobs while studying in the Netherlands are available for up to 10 hours per week. Moreover, full-time post-study work opportunities in the Netherlands are also given to students to kick-start their careers.

• Scholarships in Netherlands: An abundance of top scholarships in Netherlands are available for international students to finance their academic study in Netherlands courses. Hence, students can avail them either from external sources or via the university-based portal.

Popular countries to pursue higher education

Types of Netherlands Student Visa for Indians

There are various categories of Netherlands student visas required which vary according to the duration and nature of the academic studies chosen by international students. There are two main Netherlands student visa types, Schengen Visa and Long Stay Visa. Moreover, the Netherlands student visa IELTS requirements and other prerequisites differ for these as well.

Netherlands Student Visa: Schengen Visa

Netherlands Student Visa: Long Stay Visa

Netherlands Study Visa Requirements

• Students must present the Netherlands embassy with the confirmation proof of their admission into one of the Dutch universities.

• Before the application, students must have a valid passport with a validity of a minimum of 12 months.

• Students must have health insurance for the first three months of their stay in the Netherlands as it is one of the important Netherlands student visa requirements.

• Students must have been tested for Tuberculosis before the travel to the Netherlands.

• Students must meet the financial requirements of the Netherlands student visa before applying. Generally, students admitted into one of the Dutch universities require EUR 957.87 per month for the cost of living in the Netherlands.

A few of the Netherlands Student Visa requirements in brief descriptions are mentioned below:

Netherlands Student Visa English Language Requirements

Securing a Netherlands student visa requires demonstrating proficiency in Dutch or English. One must comply with the Netherlands student visa IELTS requirements as it is one of the most important parts of the Netherlands student visa document checklists. International students can fulfil the Netherlands IELTS requirement by presenting relevant IELTS or TOEFL scores, which form an integral part of the student visa application process in the Netherlands. Other English tests that are accepted by universities in the Netherlands include DET, CAE, PTE, etc.

A candidate must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 to fulfil student visa requirements for the Netherlands. However, prospects must note that individual universities may have higher IELTS requirements. For example, Delft University of Technology and Leiden University require an IELTS score of a minimum of 7.0.

Netherlands Student Visa Age Limit

The common misconception is there is a particular Netherlands student visa age limit for studying in the country. However, as long as there is a valid admission offer from a university in the Netherlands, age is not a problem to apply and be approved for a Netherlands student visa.

However, the minimum age is 18 years to apply as an independent person to study in the country. Candidates below 18 years are considered minor applicants whose elders or relatives must accompany them to study in the Netherlands.

How much bank balance is required for a Netherlands student visa?

The exact amount of bank balance required for a Netherlands student visa can vary depending on the duration of your stay and the specific requirements set by the Dutch immigration authorities. As of the latest information, the authorities require international students to demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their living expenses in the Netherlands.

For the academic year 2023-2024, the required amount is approximately EUR 1,225 per month. This means for a one-year program, you would need to show a total of around EUR 14,700.

Documents Required for Netherlands Study Visa

Certain important eligibility documents are required to support the Netherlands student visa application. These documents as per the Netherlands study visa requirements are mentioned below.

Netherlands student visa document checklist 2024

• Valid passport

• Completed visa application form

• 2 Passport size photos

• Birth certificate

• Academic transcripts

• Proof of financial support

• Copy of travel and medical insurance policy

• Admit letter from the educational institution

• Complete study plan – explaining the interest in studying the chosen subject area and how and why it is related to prior studies.

• Proof of having paid the visa application fees

How to apply for Netherlands Student Visa?

The entire process of the Netherlands study visa application takes about 60 to 90 days, which is the Netherlands student visa processing time. The student visa Netherlands application is submitted by a university which is recognized as a sponsor by the Immigration department.

International applicants need to make sure they meet all Netherlands student visa requirements to avoid rejection at a later stage. Here are the steps involved in applying for a Netherlands student visa:

Application process for a Netherlands Study visa

• Apply for Netherlands Student Visa: Firstly, international students must gather all necessary documents. The university in the Netherlands applies for the MVV and the resident permit on the student’s behalf. The university is intimated about the decision regarding the student visa for the Netherlands.

• Getting the MVV for a Netherlands student visa: Candidates can collect the MVV from the nearest Dutch embassy in their home country. They have to submit a passport with a validity of at least 12 months and biometric details while collecting the MVV. Students have to collect MVV within three months of its issue. Its validity is 90 days from the date of collection from the Dutch embassy. With the MVV, prospects can travel to the Netherlands as an international student. Students must pay the relevant application fee as well.

• Getting the temporary residence permit for Netherlands student visa: The residence permit or the VRV takes about two weeks after a positive decision on the visa. Students in the Netherlands must have a residence permit to take up part time jobs in the country. The University students have to apply with a letter stating their purpose of work. Now book an appointment with the immigration department to collect a residence permit. Any discrepancy of information can also be corrected at that time.

• Register with the municipality for Netherlands student visa: After arriving in the Netherlands, students need to register with the Municipal Personal Records Database of the municipality. Candidates have to provide a legalized and translated birth certificate and some other documents for registration. Check with the municipality while making the appointment and carry all relevant documents.

• Get health insurance and negative TB test for Netherlands student visa: Basic health insurance with a Dutch insurer is compulsory among Netherlands study visa requirements as well to stay in the Netherlands. After three months of receiving the residence permit, they have to make an appointment with the Area Health Authority (GGD). Also, they have to carry a TB test referral form with them.

Netherlands Student Visa Fee

International students seeking a Netherlands student visa must note that they will be charged a certain application fee. Generally, the Netherlands Student Visa Fee is somewhere near EUR 207. Mostly, the Dutch university selected by the students applies for the Netherlands Student Visa on student’s behalf.

This implies that there may be a different visa fee as the university may add service charges to the Netherlands student visa application fee.

Netherlands Student Visa: Terms and Conditions

Indian students must note that there are certain terms and conditions attached to the Netherlands study visa. Failure to obey any of these conditions, a student visa in the Netherlands stands a chance of cancellation at any given time.

• Five years is the maximum period for the residence permit.

• The Netherlands student visa is valid until the study programme lasts with a validity of an additional three months.

• Candidates can get an additional year of preparatory education if they are accepted via provisional admission.

• As an international student, it is possible to work for an employer who has a TMV.

• By registering with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, international students can work as a self-employed person.

• Pursuing an internship related to an academic study program is allowed even without a TWV (work permit) as per the Netherlands student visa terms.

• For students seeking to pursue a study-exchange program with institutions outside the Netherlands, it is allowed only for less than six months.

Part-Time Work on Netherlands Student Visa

Indian students cannot engage in part-time employment in the Netherlands while on a student visa. Hence, it is important to obtain a work visa on admission in a Dutch institution. As per Netherlands student visa requirements, the employer is authorised to secure a work permit on the student’s behalf. Part-time employment is allowed only for a maximum of 16 hours per week during classes and can be full-time employed only during the holidays.

In the Netherlands, the minimum wage per hour typically ranges from EUR 6 to EUR 10. However, depending on the duration and type of part-time job, it’s possible to earn up to EUR 20 per hour on a legal Netherlands student visa and a work permit. Such students may work up to ten hours weekly throughout the academic term and are entitled to full-time employment during vacation and holidays.

In the Netherlands, international students have access to both on-campus and off-campus part-time jobs. Many prefer on-campus employment due to its convenience. Here are some common part-time work options for international students:

• Teaching Assistant: Assisting professors with grading, preparing materials, or leading tutorials.

• Research Assistant: Supporting faculty research projects.

• Tutoring: Helping fellow students or junior students in specific subjects.

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