Immigration

If possible, please make sure you bring the following official documents with you: passport (obviously), birth certificate, and (if applicable) marriage certificate. You are likely to be asked for these when you register with authorities.

The certificates need to be `legalized', i.e. the issueing authority must have signed or stamped the document to prove its authenticity. This legalization needs to be recent, typically within the last half year. Check with your local Dutch embassey to be sure.

Nationals from outside the EU and not from any of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, New-Zealand, Norway, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein) and the USA, need to apply for a Authorization for `Temporary Residence' (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf - MVV) before they enter the Netherlands. This temporary authorization is needed before one can apply for a more permanent one and it can only be obtained outside The Netherlands. An MVV can only be issued by the Dutch Embassy or Consulate stationed in the country of residence. Recent legislation has made it impossible to obtain such an authorization for temporary residence while visiting The Netherlands as a tourist. Foreigners who nevertheless try to change their tourist visa into a temporary residence permit will be sent back to their country of residence immediately. An MVV or a residence permit for study purposes will be granted only if the following requirements are met:

1. the applicant is in possession of a valid national passport;
2. the applicant must be able to finance all his/her living expenses;
3. the applicant must have an adequate health insurance;

An MVV will take several months to obtain. If you need an MVV, contact the Faculty's Personel Office (P&O), see Support document), they can help with most of the work.

The immigration service web address: http://www.ind.nl.