Netherlands visa directory

Find your Netherlands visa.

Every major route - work, study, family, visitor, business, talent and settlement. Who it's for, what it costs, how long it takes, and the pathway to permanent residence. In plain English.

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Figures shown are indicative for 2025 and government fees and rules change. Always confirm current details at IND (Netherlands) before applying. General information, not immigration advice.
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24 visas
Schengen C

Schengen short-stay visa (type C)

Visitor & Short Stay

For visitors coming to the Netherlands and the Schengen area for tourism, family visits, business or events for a short period.

Short stay
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MVV

Provisional residence permit (MVV / machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf)

Visitor & Short Stay

For non-EU nationals from MVV-required countries who need an entry visa before collecting a Dutch residence permit.

Entry visa (long stay)
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Kennismigrant

Residence permit for highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)

Work & Skilled

For skilled workers with a job offer from a Dutch employer that is an IND-recognised sponsor and meets the salary threshold.

Temporary
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EU Blue Card

EU Blue Card (Europese blauwe kaart)

Work & Skilled

For highly qualified workers with a recognised higher-education degree and a qualifying Dutch job offer.

Temporary
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GVVA

Single permit for work and residence (gecombineerde vergunning, GVVA)

Work & Skilled

For non-EU workers in regular (non-highly-skilled) jobs, combining the work and residence permit in one document.

Temporary
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Zoekjaar

Residence permit for orientation year (zoekjaar highly educated persons)

Work & Skilled

For recent graduates of a Dutch or top-ranked foreign university, and certain researchers, to find work or start a business.

Temporary
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Start-up

Residence permit for start-up (innovative entrepreneur)

Business, Talent & Investor

For ambitious entrepreneurs launching an innovative startup with a Dutch government-approved facilitator.

Temporary
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Self-employed

Residence permit for self-employed person / freelancer (zelfstandig ondernemer)

Business, Talent & Investor

For entrepreneurs and freelancers running a business that serves an essential Dutch economic interest.

TemporaryPoints-based
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DAFT

Residence permit under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)

Business, Talent & Investor

For US nationals starting or running their own business in the Netherlands under a favourable bilateral treaty.

Temporary
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Startup staff

Residence permit for essential start-up personnel

Work & Skilled

For key employees taking an equity stake in an innovative Dutch startup under a special temporary pilot scheme.

Closed
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ICT

Residence permit for intra-corporate transferee (ICT)

Work & Skilled

For managers, specialists or trainees transferred from a non-EU branch to a Dutch entity of the same group.

Temporary
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Researcher

Residence permit for researcher (Directive (EU) 2016/801)

Work & Skilled

For researchers carrying out a research project at a recognised Dutch research institution.

Temporary
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Seasonal

Residence permit / work permit for seasonal labour

Work & Skilled

For non-EU workers doing seasonal work, such as in agriculture or horticulture, for a limited part of the year.

Temporary
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Student

Residence permit for study (higher education)

Study & Graduate

For non-EU students enrolled in full-time higher education at a recognised Dutch institution.

Temporary
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Exchange

Residence permit for cultural exchange / au pair

Study & Graduate

For young people coming for cultural exchange, including au pairs hosted by a Dutch family through a recognised agency.

Temporary
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WHS

Working Holiday Scheme / Young Workers Exchange (WHS)

Visitor & Short Stay

For young adults from partner countries spending a gap year in the Netherlands combining travel and incidental work.

Temporary
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Partner/Spouse

Residence permit for stay with partner or spouse (family reunification)

Family & Partner

For the spouse, registered partner or unmarried partner of a Dutch national or a resident sponsor.

Temporary
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Child

Residence permit for stay with a parent (child family reunification)

Family & Partner

For minor children joining a parent who is a Dutch national or holds a Dutch residence permit.

Temporary
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EU family

Residence document for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Family & Partner

For non-EU family members of an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen exercising free-movement rights in the Netherlands.

Temporary
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Medical

Residence permit for medical treatment

Humanitarian & Refugee

For people who need to stay in the Netherlands to undergo necessary medical treatment.

Temporary
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Asylum

Asylum residence permit (temporary)

Humanitarian & Refugee

For people who flee their country because of persecution, war or serious harm and seek protection.

Temporary
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Permanent

Permanent residence permit (national, type II)

Settlement & Citizenship

For people who have lived legally in the Netherlands for five continuous years and want to settle.

Permanent residence→ PR
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EU long-term

EU long-term residence permit

Settlement & Citizenship

For long-term residents who want EU-wide rights to move and live in other member states after five years.

Permanent residence→ PR
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Naturalisation

Dutch citizenship by naturalisation

Settlement & Citizenship

For long-term residents who want to become Dutch nationals through naturalisation.

Citizenship→ PR
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