How to Apply for a MVV for the Netherlands

Our immigration lawyer in Netherlands can assist foreign nationals in applying for a Dutch provisional residence permit (MVV).

How to Apply for a MVV for the Netherlands

According to the Dutch immigration law, certain foreign citizens who intend to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period than three months must apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV). The application for a MVV for the Netherlands can be done directly at a Dutch embassy in your country of origin or through a sponsor, such as a family member or an employer. Certain nationals, like the citizens of a European Union member state, don`t need a MVV in order to relocate to the Netherlands. Our immigration lawyer in Netherlands can help you apply for a MVV in the Netherlands.

MVV application in the Netherlands, presented by our immigration lawyer in Netherlands

Certain nationalities require a temporary residence permit in order to enter the Netherlands and a permanent residence permit in order to live and work on a long term in this state. The application for a MVV for the Netherlands can be submitted with the Netherlands embassy in the country of origin. The provisional residence permit is issued by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Sevice (IND) and the MVV sticker is collected at the Dutch embassy or consulate (the residence permit itself is collected in the Netherlands). There are several steps to take in order to apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands:

•    If required (family reunification, religious ministers), take the civic integration examination abroad – this usually takes 8 weeks and if you pass this examination you must apply for MVV within a year;
•    Find a sponsor in the Netherlands to submit your application – if your application for MVV is successful, he or she will receive a notification and collect your MVV sticker at the embassy;
•    Submit an application in person – make an appointment to visit a Dutch embassy; they will check the application and send it to the IND service in the Netherlands;
•    Collect your MVV sticker from the embassy – the officials at the Dutch embassy will place the sticker in your passport.

If you want to apply for a MVV for the Netherlands, our immigration lawyer in Netherlands can provide you with legal assistance in obtaining a provisional or permanent residence permit in this country.

Who needs a MVV for the Netherlands?

Not everyone needs a MVV in order to immigrate to the Netherlands and apply for a Dutch residence permit. You have to apply for a MVV for the Netherlands unless:

•    You are from the European Union/Switzerland/EEA;
•    You have a valid Dutch residence permit;
•    You have held an EU Blue Card in another EU state for at least 12 months and apply for a Dutch EU Blue Card;
•    You have already obtained a long term residence permit issued by another EC state;
•    You are a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen; note that merely holding a residence permit in another EU member state or Schengen country does not in itself exempt you;
•    You are a national of the following states: Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vatican City;
•    Your child (under 12 years) was born in the Netherlands and you have legal residence in the country.

If you do not find yourself in any of the above mentioned situation, you need to apply for a MVV for the Netherlands. Feel free to contact our specialists in immigration matters in Netherlands if you need professional assistance in obtaining a Dutch MVV.

Rolf Peter Rothuizen, Attorney at Law · 1 October 2026