Do you need a visa for the Netherlands?

Every year our team of visa specialists support each of our students studying abroad in the Netherlands to have the proper documents to enter and stay in the country. Let's get started!

Depending on your IES Abroad program and citizenship, you may need a student visa to study abroad in the Netherlands. We’ve outlined citizenship options below to help you learn more about your requirements for legal entry and stay in the Netherlands.

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Applying for a Dutch Residence Permit

A VVR residence permit is an ID the size of a credit card issued by the Dutch government. The residence permit allows you to legally stay and study in the Netherlands for the length of your study abroad program.

Once you are accepted to your semester or year-long IES Abroad program, you will find detailed instructions to apply for a Dutch Residence Permit in your MyIESabroad account. For now, read below to get an idea of what the process will look like.

If you are a non-U.S. and non-EU citizen, you may likely need a MVV visa before entering the Netherlands. Learn more in your MyIESabroad account.

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Kate Cook square headshot
“IES Abroad has a fool-proof plan for everyone to get their visas to study abroad.”
Kate C. • Villanova University • Milan – Italy Today

Considering multiple destinations?

We've compiled visa resources for every country so you'll have everything you need to make your study abroad adventure as seamless as possible.

Browse Visa Resources by Country

“..the experience is going to stick with me for life and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Rudrayani U. • DePauw University • Amsterdam – Psychology & Sciences

We’re Here for You

Our team of visa specialists are here to help. Step-by-step instructions to ensure you have the proper visa and/or entry documents to study abroad are available in your MyIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.

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visa ACCeSS program GEM and students

Entry requirements to the Netherlands are determined by the Dutch government, not by IES Abroad. While our team of visa specialists regularly updates this page, the most up-to-date and official information can be found on Dutch government and consulate websites. This page was last updated October 24, 2022.