The Netherlands is a bureaucratic
country and proud of it. Therefore for expats and their families the
regulations and procedures can seem daunting. The Dutch government has
even admitted that its immigration system is "complex and unwieldy" but
since 2004 the system has become increasingly streamlined with
legislation designed to attract and select more educated and highly
skilled migrants. This is some guidance as to how you can make the
process easier and faster.
First of all, ensure that your
documents are in order. Check that your passport is valid for the entire
period of your stay and that marriage and birth certificates are
translated into Dutch, English, French or German and sufficiently
‘legalised' -containing an extra stamp on the original document, known
as an apostile, which you obtain from the ‘competent authority' in your own country. For further information see the apostille section of www.hcch.net.
EEA and Switzerland
Citizens
of the EEA (EU plus Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein) and Switzerland
(but excluding Romania and Bulgaria) can live and work freely in the
Netherlands and are not obliged to report to the Aliens Police upon
arrival, as other nationals are required to do. However you must be able
to show:
- Passport or other valid travel document
- Financial means demonstrating that you will not have to rely on public funds during your stay (if your are not working)
- Health insurance coverage (if you are not working)
- Proof of employment or work (if applicable)
Although EEA, Swiss citizens and
their family members do not need a residence permit to live in the
Netherlands, it can be very useful to have one as banks, utility
providers, government organisations and employers often ask for one.
Once
you have lawfully stayed in the Netherlands for 5 years you qualify for
a long-term residence document. Again, although not strictly required,
this can be beneficial in some circumstances, such as when applying for a
mortgage, as lenders will often request a long-term residence document.
Romania and Bulgaria
Citizens
from Romania and Bulgaria can enter the country without needing a visa
but, if staying for longer than 90 days you should apply for a residence
permit (proof of lawful stay) with their local council – asking for an
‘Application for assessment under European Community law’ form.
Family members of EU citizens
Similar
to other European countries, the Netherlands allows family members of
EEA citizens to live freely in the country. This covers spouses or
registered partners, grandparents, parents-in-law or grand or
great-grandchildren of EEA or Swiss citizens.
Children over the
age of 21 or antecedents (parents-in-law, grandparents etc.) must
demonstrate that the EU family member provided for them or lived with
them in the country of origin.
You should apply for a residence
document type I (proof of lawful residence), which can be done by
submitting an ‘Application for assessment under community law’ form to
one of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service desks.
The
residence document entitles family members to exactly the same rights as
the EU citizen. If that person has a residence endorsement sticker,
then you will be granted a residence document with a 5-year term.
Non-European Nationals
To enter the Netherlands you will need authorisation for temporary stay, known as MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf)
and allowing for visits of longer than 90 days. It must be applied for
in the country in which you are living and includes an examination
covering Dutch language and culture (Civic Integration Abroad,
EUR 350). Seewww.naarnederland.nl for more details of the test. MVV
costs vary according to the purpose of your stay. It is valid for six
months and issued as a sticker that is placed in your passport.
Some
nationals do not need to apply for an MVV in order to enter the
Netherlands and can stay for up to 90 days. These are: Australia,
Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, USA and Vatican City.
If
you are planning on staying for longer than 90 days, you should apply
for a temporary residence permit (VVR) at the IND within 3 working days
of arriving in the Netherlands. They will require you to produce your
temporary stay visa (MVV). The VVR allows individuals to stay in the
country for longer than 90 days and the IND will affix a sticker to your
passport indicating whether or not you are allowed to work and whether
you require a work permit or not. It will take 2 – 3 weeks before you
receive a decision.
Applying for a registration certificate – IND desk
Firstly,
you and your family must already be registered on the population
register in Municipality Administration (GBA) where you live. You can do
this by contacting the Department of Civil Affairs or the Aliens Police
office in your municipality. You can then make an appointment with the
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) by calling 0900-1234561.
The
IND will check your documents and the registration form they have sent
you and if everything is in order they will issue a registration
certificate immediately. This is a sticker, placed in your passport or
other proof of identity.
Once your registration certificate has
been issued by the IND they will notify the municipality who will
additionally provide you with a Citizen Service Number (Burger Service Nummer – BSN). This allows you to take out insurance, open a bank account, receive your salary or apply for benefits.
A
registration certificate is valid indefinitely and does not need to be
extended. However, remember that it is conditional on your passport or
identity document, so that if you renew your passport you must also
obtain a new registration certificate.
Documents required for both the population register and application for a residence permit:
- EU citizens must have a valid passport or identity card;
- non-EU citizens must have a valid residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) or be in the process of applying for one;
- applicants must reside in the municipality for at least four continuous months in the six-month period following registration;
- applicants need proof of unregistering from the register of previous habitation (mainly applicable to EU citizens);
- applicants
need a tenancy agreement, or signed statement and a photo copy of the
passport of the main occupant, stating that they are allowed to register
at that address, or a document that proves that they are the owner of a
house, a deed of ownership or a deed of transfer;
- applicants need a legalised copy of their birth certificate;
- applicants need a legalised copy of their marriage certificate.
Civic Integration Act
The inburgering (civic
integration) legislation obliges those who want to stay with a family
member who already resides on permanent grounds in the Netherlands to
speak the language by passing the integration exam abroad. Some
elementary knowledge of the Dutch culture and society is also required.
The main exemption is EU citizens and their partners (also Switzerland,
EEA, people under 18 and over 65). Passing the exam is also a
requirement for those who apply for permanent residence. Knowledge
migrants and those in the Netherlands for work/study purposes are
exempted while on temporary permits.
