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All study destinations·Netherlands, Student residence permit, with a provisional residence permit (MVV) to travel
Study visa check

Check your Netherlands study visa application before you apply

This page shows what the official pages say a Netherlands study visa application must contain, in their own words, with a free pre-check of your answers.

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Student residence permit, with a provisional residence permit (MVV) to travel

What is being checked

Your admission letter, the money the rules ask you to show for living costs, your fees, the language level for your course, health insurance where it is asked for, and your past visas.

Why applications fail

Money shown in the wrong form or below the amount the rules set, an admission that is not final, or papers that do not match each other.

What our software does

The free pre-check reads your answers against these rules and shows where they usually fall short. Paid study checks for Netherlands are not open yet.

01
Student residence permit: registration with a recognised sponsor

Registration at a recognised school, full-time

Your educational institution is a sponsor recognised by the IND.

What the officer assesses: Whether your school has registered you. The school must be on the IND list of sponsors. The course must be full-time and accredited.

Only your school can apply for this permit. The school must be on the IND list of recognised sponsors. You need proof that the school has registered you, even if only for now. The programme must be accredited and full-time. The school then tells the IND that it is your sponsor.

Where this comes from 3 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • The school's proof of registration, or temporary proof of registration, for the programme
  • The name of the programme, to check it is full-time and accredited
  • The school's name on the IND public register of recognised sponsors for study
02
Income requirements study: the study norm

Money to live on for 12 months

You must have enough money to live and study in the Netherlands for 12 months.

What the officer assesses: Whether you can show 12 months of the study norm. In 2026 that is EUR 1,130.77 a month for university or HBO, so EUR 13,569.24. School fees are extra. The papers must be no older than 3 months.

The IND sets a fixed amount, called the study norm. For 2026 it is EUR 1,130.77 a month for university or HBO, so EUR 13,569.24 for a year. School fees are extra. You can show it in your own bank account, as money paid to your school, or as a scholarship. The money must be free to take out. The bank statement must show the date, your name, the account number, the balance and the bank's contact details, and be no older than 3 months.

Where this comes from 5 official sources
  • You must show that you have enough money. You must have enough money to live and study in the Netherlands for 12 months.

    IND: Income requirements study, Providing proof of your income

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Higher professional education (hbo) or university € 1,130.77

    IND: Required amounts income requirements (study amounts 2026), Study amounts 2026

    Study amounts valid 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The amount does not include school or college fees.

    IND: Income requirements study, The amount you need to have, is called study norm

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • You have the study norm for 1 year (12 x study norm) on your own bank account. This bank account is in your name. And you can freely withdraw the money from the bank account.

    IND: Income requirements study, You have the money on your own bank account

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • All documents may not be older than 3 months.

    IND: Income requirements study, You have the money on your own bank account

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A bank statement in your name, no older than 3 months, with the date, account number, balance and the bank's contact details
  • For a foreign bank account shown as a printout: an original bank statement too
  • Or the school's record that you paid 12 times the study norm into its account
  • Or a scholarship letter with the giver, your details, the start and end dates and the amount
  • For a joint account: a statement that you may and can use the money
  • The form Appendix Foreign national's own statement: income within the context of a study
03
Income requirements study: money from a financier

A parent, relative or company paying for you

Your sponsor has the study norm for at least 1 year (12 x the study norm) on a bank account.

What the officer assesses: Whether the person or company who pays for you has 12 months of the study norm. They must be free to use it. They sign the IND form and add a passport copy and a bank statement. Each paper must be no older than 3 months.

If someone else pays, the IND calls them your financier. A person abroad, like a parent, must have 12 months of the study norm in their own account and be free to take it out. They sign the IND form Statement of financial support (private person). You add a copy of their passport and their bank statement. The form and the statement must be no older than 3 months. A company does the same with its own form and bank statement.

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • This person is your financier. Your sponsor has the study norm for at least 1 year (12 x the study norm) on a bank account.

    IND: Income requirements study, You receive money from a person abroad

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The Appendix 'Statement of financial support (private person)'. This statement should not be older than 3 months.

    IND: Income requirements study, You receive money from a person abroad

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The company has the study norm for at least 1 year on a bank account. It can freely use this money.

    IND: Income requirements study, You receive funds from a company

    dated 15 June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • The Appendix Statement of financial support (private person or company), no older than 3 months
  • A copy of the financier's passport or identity document
  • The financier's bank statement, no older than 3 months, with the date, their name, the account number, the balance and the bank's contact details
  • For a company: proof that the person who signs may give the money, and the company's original bank statement
04
Admission requirements: language test and diploma

English test and the diploma the school asks for

Admission requirements are set by the institution of your choice in the Netherlands.

What the officer assesses: Whether you have the English test score your programme asks for, and the diploma the school needs, so the school can register you.

The school, not the IND, sets the entry rules. For a course taught in English you must pass an English test, such as IELTS or TOEFL iBT. Ask the school for the score you need. The school also checks that your diploma is at the right level. If you are not ready yet, some schools offer a year to prepare first.

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • Admission requirements are set by the institution of your choice in the Netherlands. They may vary by programme too.

    Study in NL (Nuffic): Admission requirements, Admission requirements

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • To study at an English-taught study programme in the Netherlands, it is essential that you speak, read and write English well. You must have passed an English language test.

    Study in NL (Nuffic): Admission requirements, Language requirements

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The education institution usually sets a minimum qualification requirement for admission to the programme.

    Study in NL (Nuffic): Admission requirements, Are you qualified?

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Your English test result, from the test provider
  • Your diplomas and transcripts
  • The school's letter or email that you meet its entry rules
05
Student residence permit: legalised and translated documents

Official documents legalised and translated

Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

What the officer assesses: Whether papers from home, like your birth certificate, are legalised. Each one must be in Dutch, English, French or German, or have a sworn translation.

Official papers from home, like a birth certificate, must be made official for use in the Netherlands. This is called legalisation. Every document must be in Dutch, English, French or German, or be translated by a sworn translator. Start early, because this can take months. You always need a legalised birth certificate to register in your Dutch town.

Where this comes from 3 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • Your birth certificate, legalised
  • Any other official document the school asks for, legalised
  • Sworn translations of any document not in Dutch, English, French or German
06
Study in the Netherlands: health insurance

Health insurance for your stay

You are insured for healthcare costs in the Netherlands.

What the officer assesses: Whether you have health insurance that covers you in the Netherlands. It can come from home or from a private insurer. If you work, you need Dutch public insurance.

The law says you must have health insurance. If you only study, you may not take Dutch public insurance. Get cover from home with enough cover, or a private student policy. If you get a job, you must take Dutch public health insurance.

Where this comes from 2 official sources
  • You are insured for healthcare costs in the Netherlands.

    IND brochure 3087: Coming to study in the Netherlands, 3. Which conditions must your organisation fulfil?

    3087 (undated) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • You are legally not allowed to take out a Dutch public health insurance if you are in the Netherlands for study purposes only. Make sure you have a health insurance from your home country with enough coverage or take out a private health insurance.

    Study in NL (Nuffic): Healthcare insurance, Study purposes only

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Your health insurance policy, showing it covers you in the Netherlands and the dates
07
Provisional residence permit (MVV): passport and visa sticker

A valid passport and the MVV sticker in time

Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months when the Dutch representation places the MVV visa sticker in the passport.

What the officer assesses: Whether your passport has at least 6 months left and 2 empty pages at the appointment. And whether you book the MVV appointment within 3 months of the decision.

You need a valid passport. When the yes comes, book your MVV appointment within 3 months. From Nigeria you email the consulate-general in Lagos. At the appointment your passport must have at least 6 months left and 2 empty pages. The MVV is then valid for 90 days to travel.

Where this comes from 5 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • Your passport, valid for at least 6 months more, with 2 empty pages
  • A passport photo that meets Dutch rules
  • The school's email with your V-number
08
Requirements that apply to everyone: antecedents certificate; Aliens Act, article 16

Past offences, entry bans and wrong information

You do not pose a danger to public order or national security.

What the officer assesses: Whether the form about your past is signed and true. It covers crimes, entry bans from Europe, wrong facts in past Dutch applications and past stays without the right to be there.

Everyone 12 or older signs a form about their past. It is called the Antecedents Certificate. It asks about crimes and entry bans from Europe. It asks about wrong facts in past Dutch applications, and about staying in the Netherlands without the right to. Answer every question truthfully, and explain any yes. Under Dutch law, giving wrong facts or hiding them can be a reason to say no.

Where this comes from 4 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • The signed Appendix Antecedents Certificate
  • An explanation and papers for any question answered yes

This is a residence permit for study at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences (HBO). You do not apply yourself. Your school must be a sponsor recognised by the IND, and the school applies for you. For most nationalities, Nigeria, Ghana and India among them, the school asks for the MVV (an entry visa, type D) and the residence permit at the same time. The IND decides, not the embassy, and it must decide within 60 days. If the answer is yes, you book an appointment within 3 months at the Dutch post named in the letter. From Nigeria that is the consulate-general in Lagos, by email. The MVV is valid for 90 days. After you arrive you collect your residence permit card at an IND desk, and you may need a TB test within 3 months. The permit lasts for your course plus 3 months, up to 5 years, as long as you make enough progress. The IND does not publish a list of refusal reasons for students, so these grounds follow what the IND says you must meet and what the Aliens Act says can lead to a refusal. Bank statements must be no older than 3 months. Study in NL is run by Nuffic, which is funded by the Dutch government.

Free check

Where does your study application stand?

Six questions, read against the requirements above. Nothing you choose leaves this page.

  1. 1 Where are you with your place on the course?

    The school’s confirmation (a CAS, a letter of acceptance or an I-20) comes before the visa, and the visa is checked against it.

  2. 2 Have you paid the course fees?

    Fees paid reduce the money you have to show, and in Ireland and most Canadian cases they must be paid before you apply.

  3. 3 How will you pay for your living costs?

    Every destination checks that the money is there and that its source makes sense.

  4. 4 How will you show your English?

    The UK and Ireland set a level for the visa itself; Canada and the US rely on the school’s own entry requirement.

  5. 5 How does this course follow your last study?

    Officers ask why this course, now, and a gap or a change of subject has to be explained.

  6. 6 What is your visa history?

    A previous refusal for any country has to be declared and answered.

Answer all 6 questions to see the result. Nothing you choose leaves this page.

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