Residence permit in the Netherlands
A residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) is issued by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). It confirms your right to legally stay in the Netherlands.
Reviewed by the editorial team · 19 May 2026. Information checked against official sources.
What to prepare
- Passport (international, valid ≥6 months)
- BSN (can be obtained after arrival)
- Proof of purpose of stay (employment contract / invitation / TPD certificate)
- Address proof
- Photo 35×45 mm per IND standard
- IND leges payment (typically €60–€350 depending on type)
A residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) is a document issued by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). It confirms your right to legally stay in the Netherlands and defines the conditions — duration, purpose, rights.
Who needs one
- Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days
- Ukrainian refugees typically hold TPD status (sticker or card) — this is a separate category, but after TPD ends in March 2027 many may need to transition to other permit types
Main permit types
- TPD — temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees
- Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant / labour migrant) — under an employment contract
- Student — for university study
- Family reunification — for spouses/children of residents
- Permanent residence — after 5 years of legal stay
How to apply
- Determine the appropriate permit type at ind.nl
- Complete the online application via DigiD or paper form
- Pay IND leges (€60–€350 depending on category)
- Book an appointment for biometric submission
- Wait for a decision (usually 90 days; for kennismigrant — 5 business days)
What next
After receiving a permit:
- Register in BRP at your municipality (if not already registered)
- Check renewal conditions — most permits are issued for 1–5 years
- Some permits grant the right to work without TWV; others require an additional document
Common mistakes
- Applying without BSN — IND cannot process the application without BSN. Register at BRP first.
- Not paying leges — without payment, the application doesn't start. Check the fee on ind.nl before submitting.
- Incomplete package — carefully verify against the list on ind.nl. Foreign documents may need apostille + translation.
Sources
Last updated: May 2026. Check current information on ind.nl before applying.
Common mistakes
- Applying without BSN — Make sure you have a BSN before applying — IND cannot process most requests without it.
- Not paying IND fees — IND charges fees (leges) for processing applications. Without payment, your request will not even be reviewed.
- Incomplete documents — IND returns applications with missing documents — carefully check the list on ind.nl.