Residence Permit for Study (TEV)

If you are a non-EU citizen and wish to study at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, you will need a study residence permit. As a recognized sponsor with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Wittenborg will submit the application on your behalf, as you are not permitted to apply independently.

This process begins once you have been admitted and registered into a full-time accredited Bachelor or Master programme.
 

Visa Application Scenarios

There are five common scenarios for student visa applications:

1. You require an entry visa (MVV) to enter the Netherlands
   • Wittenborg will apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV) with the IND, which is a temporary entry visa valid for 90 days.
   • The IND typically makes a decision within 60 days after submission.
   • If approved, Wittenborg will inform you when and where to collect your MVV at the nearest Dutch embassy.
   • Once you arrive in the Netherlands, Wittenborg will notify you when your residence permit card is ready for collection.
   • The residence card will be valid for the duration of your studies.
   • Check your nationality requirements on the IND website: Student residence permit for university or higher professional education | IND
2. You do not require an entry visa (MVV), but need a residence permit (VVR)
   • Wittenborg will apply for a residence permit (VVR) on your behalf.
   • The residence permit will be ready for collection shortly after your arrival.
   • The residence card will remain valid for the full duration of your studies.
   • Check your nationality requirements on the IND website: Student residence permit for university or higher professional education | IND
3. You already hold a valid Dutch residence permit for another purpose
   1. If you already have a residence permit (e.g. for family reunification, asylum, etc.), and it is still valid, Wittenborg does not need to apply for a study residence permit.
   2. You may commence or continue your studies under your current permit, unless you specifically request a change to a study permit.
4. You are transferring to Wittenborg and already hold a valid Dutch residence permit for study purposes
   • You are transferring to Wittenborg from another university (of applied sciences) in the Netherlands.
   • Wittenborg will notify the IND of your transfer so that Wittenborg becomes the official sponsor (referent) of your study visa.
   • If your residence permit is due to expire within three months, Wittenborg will apply for an extension on your behalf.
   • If your residence permit remains valid for more than three months and you are still registered at your current institution, Wittenborg will only need to notify the IND of the change in sponsorship.
5. You are a Wittenborg student and require an extension of residence permit for graduation purposes
   • You are currently enrolled at Wittenborg and hold a valid Dutch study residence permit.
   • You are nearing the completion of your studies and working on your graduation assignment, but your residence permit is due to expire soon.
   • Wittenborg will apply for an extension of your residence permit with the IND, valid for the time required to complete your graduation process.

Please note:  Wittenborg does not arrange family visas or provide family-related support services, such as accommodation suitable for families. Students are responsible for making independent arrangements for any accompanying family members.

For more information on the cost involved with the visa process, please visit: Wittenborg Tuition & Fees - all programmes .
 

Required Documents

To apply for your visa with the IND, Wittenborg will request the following documents:

• Antecedents Certificate
• Signed Study Agreement (sent in the attachment of acceptance emails)
• Additional Conditions Form  
• Bank statement showing sufficient funds (see “2. Requirements for a Dutch Study Residence Permit”)
• Sponsor Form and sponsor’s passport copy (if using a sponsor’s bank statement)
• Tuberculosis Test Referral Form (if attached to your acceptance email) Appendix Declaration of intent to undergo a TB test

These documents, along with detailed instructions, will be sent to you by the Registrar’s Office after your acceptance into a study programme. For full details and the most up-to-date information, please visit the official IND website: www.ind.nl/en .

To qualify for and maintain the right to a Dutch residence permit for study, you must meet several conditions:

Full-time Enrollment

You must be registered in a full-time accredited degree programme at a recognised Dutch institution.

Financial Means

You must have sufficient financial means to support yourself.  

1. For 2025, the minimum monthly amount is approximately €1,100.
2. You must provide a bank statement (current or savings account) showing at least €13,500 (1 year of living expenses) after tuition fees have been paid.
3. Each year, you must submit proof of sufficient financial means. Wittenborg will provide the official IND form for this purpose: Appendix Foreign national’s own statement: income within the context of a study
4. Required income amounts – IND website: Required amounts income requirements | IND

Important Compliance Note: Students holding a Dutch residence permit for study purposes are not entitled to apply for public funds or social welfare benefits (publieke/algemene middelen), such as social security or food assistance from the food bank. Applying for such services may violate the conditions of your residence permit and could result in its withdrawal by the IND.

Health Insurance

You must hold valid health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in the Netherlands.

• Wittenborg will arrange AON International Student Insurance for your first year if you have paid for it and filled out the Arrival Notification Form.
• After the first year, you may either continue with AON or arrange your own insurance.

Academic Progress

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

• This means earning at least 50% of the required credits each academic year.
• For Bachelor and Master students, this equals a minimum of 30 European Credits (EC) per year.
• Wittenborg monitors your progress and is required to report to the IND if you do not meet academic requirements.*

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the withdrawal of your residence permit.

*You may be exempted from this regulation once, but only if mitigating circumstances—preventing you from studying successfully—have been established, as outlined in Article 7.51 of the WHW and Article 2.1 of the WHW Implementation Decree. Only when such circumstances are confirmed may Wittenborg choose not to notify the IND of your insufficient academic progress, allowing you to continue your studies with Wittenborg as the recognised referent for your study residence permit.

Once you arrive, there are a few important steps to complete:

Register with the Municipality

You must register with the local municipality (gemeente) in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen BRP) to receive your citizen service number (BSN).

• The BSN is required for banking, healthcare, and other essential services.
• Registration also ensures your details are included in the BRP (Personal Records Database), which is mandatory for maintaining your residence permit.
• You must remain registered in the BRP at all times and live in the address where you are registered. Similarly, if you move to another municipality in the Netherlands, you must notify the new municipality of your change of address. Failing to do this could have consequences on your study visa.
• Information from the Dutch Government

Health Insurance Compliance

You must ensure your health insurance complies with Dutch regulations.

• If you start working or receive a paid internship, you may be required to switch from international student insurance to Dutch basic health insurance. *If you do not work or have a paid internship, see "Requirements for a Dutch Residence Permit" for more information on student insurance.
• The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can help determine your insurance obligations: Studies or internship | Wlz | SVB
  
   

The front side of your residence permit contains information on:

• Personal information (name, DOB, nationality, gender)
• Type of residence permit
• Validity

The back side of your residence permit contains information on:

• Residence permit purpose
• Employment rights
• Date and place of issue
• Date of right of residence
• Place of birth
• V-number: this number is different from the BSN number. You use the V-number when contacting the IND. The V number is found in the letter/number sequence at the bottom of the card, starting with "VNR".
   

As a student holding a study residence permit, you are permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, or full-time during the summer months (June, July, and August).  Your employer must apply for a work permit (TWV) before you begin employment. The TWV is valid only for the employer listed on the permit and only for the duration specified. Exceeding the permitted working hours or working without a valid TWV may result in the revocation of your study residence permit by the IND.

You may also work as a self-employed person without a TWV, provided you continue to meet the conditions of your residence permit: Student residence permit for university or higher professional education | IND.

After graduating from a Bachelor or Master programme, you are eligible for a residence permit for an orientation year (zoekjaar). This allows you to stay in the Netherlands for up to 12 months to look for work or start a business. During this period, you do not need a separate work permit. More information can be found here: Residence permit for orientation year | IND .

You can live in the Netherlands as long as your residence permit is valid. You must continue to meet all conditions until your permit expires. Do you no longer meet the requirements? The IND can withdraw your residence permit.
You must always keep Wittenborg informed about changes in financial status, registered residential address, or health or other mitigating circumstances that may affect your ability to study.

Requirements:

• Enrollment in a full-time accredited programme
• Proof of sufficient financial means per academic year
• Valid health insurance (international student insurance or Dutch basic health insurance)
• Sufficient academic progress: minimum 30 EC/year
• Registration with local municipality (BRP)
• Work max 16 hrs/week or full-time in summer with TWV
• Self-employment allowed without TWV if conditions met

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the official IND website, the Nuffic website: Information package | Study in NL and read the IND brochure on studying in the Netherlands: Coming to study in the Netherlands