If you hold a nationality from outside the European Union and you want to reside in the Netherlands for a period exceeding 3 months, you must obtain a visa and/or residence permit prior to your departure to the Netherlands. Without a valid residence permit you are not allowed to start your studies at Avans University of Applied Science.
- The visa is an authorisation to enter the Netherlands. It is an official sticker placed in your passport by the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- The residence permit is the physical proof of your (temporary) resident status in the Netherlands. You will have to collect it shortly after your arrival in the Netherlands.
Intra EU-mobility applies if you have a valid residence permit, which specifically states it is for study purposes, issued by another Member State of the European Union.
Watch this video to get acquainted with the process of obtaining a visa and/or residence permit.
Application procedure
The Avans International Office applies for the visa and/or residence permit on behalf of eligible prospective students.
Eligibility
The criteria below must be met to start the application procedure.
Exchange students:
- Official admission to one of our full-time study programmes (so no part-time study programmes).
Degree-seeking students:
- Official admission to one of our full-time study programmes (so no part-time study programmes);
- A positive advice on your intake (motivational interview + study check);
- Tuition fee payment for the first year in full by bank transfer before June 15.
The International Office will send you an e-mail once you meet the criteria above and you can start the process. You will be asked to provide various documents. This e-mail will also have instructions on how to provide the documents to the International Office.
Required documents
You will be asked to upload the following documents for your this application to Osiris:
- Evidence that you have access to sufficient financial funds.
- A completed and signed ‘Antecedents Certificate’ form.
If applicable:
- A completed and signed ‘Declaration of intent to undergo a TB test’ form. This applies to you if your country of origin is not on the IND exemption list.
- Your EU residence permit. In case of Intra EU-mobility (explained above) a filled and signed version of this authorization form (name of the educational institute being Avans University of Applied Sciences/Avans Hogeschool).
Application fee payment
The application fee is currently € 243. The payment must be done through our webshop, with iDEAL or credit card. You will be asked to upload the invoice of the payment/purchase in the application process.
No application fees apply if:
- Intra-EU mobility applies to you.
- You already have a valid residence permit for study purposes in the Netherlands for which we take over sponsorship. If this applies to you, please upload an image of this screen as ‘proof of payment’.
Application submission & decision
We will send your application on your behalf to the IND once we have received:
- The digital copies of the above-mentioned documents.
- The application fee.
- Your tuition fees for the first year in full before June 15 (not applicable if you are a contract exchange student).
It can take 2-6 weeks for the IND to review your application. Once the IND has reached a decision we will inform you accordingly.
If approved, depending on your nationality, you will have to collect your visa to travel to the Netherlands. An appointment at the selected Dutch embassy/consulate is necessary to collect your visa. It may take several days/weeks before you receive your visa.
Further obligations
If you do not comply with the obligations, your entry visa may not be granted to you, or your residence permit may be withdrawn. This means you lose your right to stay in the Netherlands.
Collecting your residence permit
After arrival in the Netherlands you must schedule an appointment to collect your physical residence permit card at the IND. You will receive instructions via e-mail. This card proves your legal residency in the Netherlands, so you are obligated to collect it!
Providing your biometric data
For some students it may be necessary to first provide the IND with their biometric data for the card to be created. You will receive more information via e-mail if this applies to you.
Keeping your residence permit
Your residence permit will be valid for the intended study period in the Netherlands plus 3 months. However, at the end of each academic year you must provide renewed evidence of sufficient available financial funds for the following academic year.
You must also pay your annual tuition fees, actively participate in your study programme and demonstrate sufficient study progress. Sufficient study progress is defined by the Dutch immigration authorities as: at least 50% of the study credits (=30 ECTS) for each year. However, Avans also requires you to successfully obtain 45 out of the 60 ECTS for your first year of study at Avans to be allowed to stay in the course and to progress to the second year of study.
For more information about the residence permit, what you can do with it and your obligations in regards to it, please view this IND brochure.
Questions?
If you have questions about this process please contact the Avans International Office at [email protected] or on +31 88 525 80 01.