If you would like to travel to the Netherlands and stay for more than 90 days to work, study, or visit your family, you might need a provisional residence permit (MVV) to enter the country. The MVV is an entry visa sticker (Type D) placed in your passport, which allows you to enter the country and pick up your residence permit.
Not all individuals who wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days are required to obtain an MVV. Exemptions are typically based on one's nationality, residence status, and/or purpose of stay. Below you'll find some of the common exemptions:
Foreign nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Korea, Vatican City, an EU/EEA Member State, or Switzerland.
You have a valid residence permit in the Netherlands or had one up to two years prior.
You are going to live with a family member in the Netherlands. Your family member has the nationality of Switzerland or an EU/EEA country (except the Netherlands).
You have a valid residence permit of a different Schengen country.
You have had a valid European Blue Card in another EU/EEA country for at least twelve months.
A complete list of exemptions can be found here.
Applying for and collecting the MVV
Your employer will first submit an application under the Admission and Residence Procedure (TEV) on your behalf. This process combines your applications for the MVV and the residence permit. When the IND informs you of their decision on your residence permit application, they will also explain the process of obtaining your MVV and what is required from you. They will do so in writing. In most cases, an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate will need to be scheduled for biometric data collection, which can be done here. Enter your country of residence, read through the information, and follow the steps to the online appointment booking tool. An estimation of up-to-date waiting times will be provided, which will vary depending on the location, but is often between 1-3 weeks. The embassy or consulate will place a visa sticker in your passport, and will inform you once your passport is ready for pick-up or if it will be sent by post.
The visa sticker in your passport is valid for 90 days, allowing you to travel to the Netherlands within this time period and complete the post-arrival procedures, such as completing the local registration and picking up your residence permit.
Important: If your entry visa expires before you arrive in the Netherlands, you will need to apply for a new one. Keep in mind the MVV must be valid on the day you collect your residence permit and to travel to the Netherlands in good time.