Permanent Residency in Netherlands - A Complete Guide

According to the World Happiness Report 2023, the Netherlands is the 5th happiest country in the world. Education, economy, beautiful surroundings, and the happiest place to live are all fascinating reasons people are looking to study in Netherlands and settle there with a Dutch permanent residence.

International candidates, who stayed for a long time in this country can apply for Permanent residency in the Netherlands. By applying for PR in Netherlands, the candidate can legally work and settle in the Netherlands permanently over a period of time. However, the Netherlands permanent residence document is valid only for 5 years, later it needs to be extended.

This Story also Contains

1. What is a Permanent Residency in Netherlands?
2. How to Get a Permanent Residency in Netherlands?
3. What is the Residence Permit in Netherlands?
4. Eligibility for Permanent Residency in Netherlands
5. Application Process for Permanent Resident in Netherlands
6. Fees & Processing Time for Permanent Residency in Netherlands
7. How to apply for PR in Netherlands after study?
8. Validity of Permanent Residency in Netherlands
9. Benefits of Permanent Residency in Netherlands

In this article, all the details of PR in Netherlands for international students, visa eligibility, requirements, and application process are detailed.

What is a Permanent Residency in Netherlands?

A PR in Netherlands for Indians gives the legal status to reside and work in the Netherlands country indefinitely. Any individual who has stayed in Netherlands for 5 years can apply for Netherlands permanent residence. With a Permanent residency in Netherlands you are free to work and your employee does not sponsor a work for you anymore.

A PR in Netherlands will give you almost the same rights as a Dutch citizen but you are not able to vote in the national elections and not allowed to work in special government sectors.

How to Get a Permanent Residency in Netherlands?

The following is the sequence of steps in the Netherlands PR process, which are to be followed to obtain a Dutch permanent residency.

• Check with the eligibility requirements for applying for a permanent residency in Netherlands.

• Arrange for the necessary documentation to meet the Dutch PR requirements.

• Apply for Dutch permanent residence either online or by post.

• Make sure the residence permit is still valid during the application period.

• Pay the application fee and submit the application.

• After processing time, the decision for the application is notified in the letter form.

• Once the permit is approved the candidate must make an appointment to collect the residence permit.

What is the Residence Permit in Netherlands?

To apply for a permanent residency in Netherlands, the candidate must have stayed in the Netherlands for 5 years with a residence permit. A residence permit in the Netherlands is required when the candidate would like to stay for more than 90 days in the Netherlands. The reason for stay can be work, study, tourism or any other, etc.

Eligibility for Permanent Residency in Netherlands

For a candidate to be eligible for permanent residence in Netherlands, they have to meet any of the following Netherlands PR requirements.

• A valid Dutch residence permit for at least 5 consecutive years.

• Age limit above 13 years.

• A main residence in Netherlands during the 5-year period.

• Always met the requirements of residence permit.

• The residence permit of non- temporary residence purposes.

• Not a danger or threat to the public.

• Meet the income requirements like paying taxes, sustainable and sufficient income

• Registered with the Personal Records Database at the local town hall of the candidate's surroundings.

• Passed Civic integration examination.

Application Process for Permanent Resident in Netherlands

To obtain a permanent residency in Netherlands, the candidate needs to apply for Dutch permanent residence at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service(IND). This PR process in Netherlands can be done either online or by post. Candidates must have a Digi D account to apply online. Once the application is submitted IND will cross-check whether the applicant is eligible for EU permanent residence Netherlands.

If not the IND will check whether the applicant can qualify for the extension of the current residence permit. Generally for people from EU countries, the application process gets easier.

Documents required for Permanent Residency in Netherlands

The following listed below are the common documents that meet the Netherland permanent residence requirements.

• Proof of 5 years of residence.

• Residence permit

• Employment proof- salary sips

• Passport

• Proof of Civic Integration exam

• Evidence of Clean criminal record

Fees & Processing Time for Permanent Residency in Netherlands

The application cost for permanent residence Netherlands is around € 210,00 for people above the age of 18 years. For children aged below 18 years, the cost of the application is € 70,00. The processing time for permanent residency in Netherlands takes six(6) months and can be extended if the information provided in the application is not sufficient.

How to apply for PR in Netherlands after study?

It is common for many International students to settle in the Netherlands after studying in the country. Students in the final year of their studies can apply for full-time jobs in the Netherlands. This converts their Netherlands student visa to a work visa. The students can either opt to work or set up their business in the Netherlands by applying for the relevant work permits.

Other international students who studied outside the Netherlands at top universities of the world can apply for an orientation visa to apply for jobs in the Netherlands. After legally residing for 5 consecutive years in the country, the candidate can apply for permanent residence Netherlands.

Validity of Permanent Residency in Netherlands

There is no end date for the permanent residency permit in the Netherlands. The residence documents are valid for up to 5 years. The candidate can apply for the renewal before the expiration for every 5 years.

Benefits of Permanent Residency in Netherlands

Here are the benefits of Netherlands PR, stated below for your information.

• The PR holders can work, study, and stay in the Netherlands for up to 5 years.

• The individual does not require a work permit to work in the Netherlands.

• The candidate can avail the insurance and healthcare benefits of the Netherlands.

• A PR holder can sponsor other candidates who are applying for permanent residency in Netherlands.