The Dutch government has even admitted that its immigration system is "complex and unwieldy" but since 2004 the system has been increasingly streamlined with legislation designed to attract and select more educated and highly skilled migrants. Here's what you can do to make the process easier and faster.

 First of all, ensure that your documents are in order. Check your passport is valid for the period of your stay and that marriage and birth certificates are translated into Dutch, English, French or German and sufficiently ‘legalised'. This is generally with the addition of an apostille-an extra stamp on the original document-and you obtain this from the ‘competent authority' in your own country. See the apostille section of www.hcch.net.

 There are two main bodies involved: the IND, which implements immigration policy and makes decisions on residence permits, and the GBA, where you register your entry into the Netherlands.

 Registering with the GBA: everyone

The gemeentelijke basisadministratie persoonsgegevens is the personal records database of the municipal authority. Anyone who intends to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months (including EU/EEA nationals) must register at the GBA within five days of arrival. Registration with the GBA triggers the start of other processes and proof of registration is essential for many more.

 The details you give when you register (such as the size of your apartment and family) determine charges for water and refuse collection, prompts the local health department to contact you regarding checkups for your children, and eligibility to register for social housing.  As of November 2007, the burgerservicenummer (BSN) (which has replaced the old fiscal SOFI-number) is issued here and you'll need a BSN to open a bank account. Once you have completed this process, you can get a printout of your details (uittreksel) which proves your residence and rights, such as being able to vote in local and European elections.

Documents required include a passport (valid for a minimum period of the length of your stay), rental contract (in your name), employment contract (if applicable) and birth and marriage certificates of all family members (see above for legal format).  Registration is free.

 You don't have to repeat this process every time you move house; you can generally just visit a local office (stadsdeelkantoor) to update your details (which you are legally obliged to do). You also need to de-register when you leave the Netherlands. The GBA no longer deals with applications for residence permits. For that you must contact the IND.

 In Amsterdam and The Hague, there's a central location where non-Dutch nationals register for the first time. You need to make an appointment and all members of your family (regardless of age) must be present at the first interview. Once you have registered, contact the IND to make an appointment regarding the residence permit (if required).

IND

The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst implements immigration policy including applications for residence permits, Dutch citizenship, visas and asylum requests. The official policy line is "strict but fair" and efforts are being made to speed up the processes involved. The website has extensive information in English, a Residence Wizard for checking specific circumstances and downloadable brochures and forms. You need to make an appointment and visit an IND desk personally to be interviewed or have a sticker put in your passport. If you have applied for a highly skilled migrant residence permit, this is not necessary but voluntary. To collect a permit you need to visit an IND desk in person. If you receive a letter stating the permit is ready, you can visit the IND desk without an appointment. Renewal forms are automatically sent to you. Office locations can be found on the IND website.

(www.ind.nl, tel: 0900 1234561, 0900 1234561 or +31 20 889 3045, +31 20 889 3045 outside the Netherlands.)

What kind of residence permit?

A residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) is related to the purpose of your stay. Your country of origin, purpose for coming to the Netherlands (work, study, marriage, reunification with family), income, age and period of residency are the key factors in determining what kind of residence permit you need or are eligible for. There are 29 variations (with plans to reduce that number), all individually priced. The most expensive relate to family reunification or formation, but if a family arrives in the Netherlands together there is a family tariff. Other requirements include no criminal record, proof of sufficient means of support, Dutch health insurance and no risk to public order, national peace or security. A temporary residence permit is issued initially for a fixed period with a maximum of five years. Most permits are issued for one year (and can then be renewed); those issued for work or the highly skilled migrant scheme can be longer - up to a maximum of five years. After five years of legal residence you can apply for a permanent residence permit or consider naturalisation.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals

Registration is compulsory for European Union citizens. The procedure for this is IND Registration for EU citizens. You will require proof of GBA registration, health insurance and a valid passport and will also be interviewed about your purpose in the Netherlands. The registration certificate is a sticker in your passport. Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania apply for a different permit: proof of lawful residence. If you have been a resident for five years or more you are eligible for the Permanent Residence for EU Citizens certificate that costs EUR 40. This applies also to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals and non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members who have lived with you for five years.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss

All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals require a residence permit and may also need an MVV (see below) to enter the Netherlands to stay for more than three months. Once registered with the GBA, you make an appointment with the IND to apply for a residence permit.

MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf)

This is an authorisation for temporary stay that applies to migrants intending to stay longer than three months (90 days) which can only be applied for while you are outside the Netherlands. An examination covering Dutch language and culture (Civic Integration Abroad, EUR 350) is part of the procedure for some family-based MVVs but generally not for family members of expatriates. See www.naarnederland.nl for more details of the test. MVV costs vary according to the purpose of your stay. It is a sticker (valid for six months) placed in your passport.

Who doesn't need an MVV?

When applying for a residence permit, there is no MVV requirement for nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and Vatican City.

Independent permits

After three years in the Netherlands, a non-EU national who has a residence permit based on a relationship (a Dutch partner, for example), can apply for a permit in their own right (Residence Permit for Continued Residence).

Costs

(January 2012. See IND website for full list.)

Stay with/join a family EUR 1250

Additional family members EUR 250

Temporary residence (no MVV) EUR 750

Highly skilled migrant (no MVV) EUR 750

Extension EUR 375

Continued Residence EUR 950

Permanent Residence EUR 401

There are also 'accelerated' tariffs for students, scientific researchers, exchange programmes and au pairs of EUR 600.

These rates are subject to frequent change, so it is best to refer to www.ind.nl.

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 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. Visit www.hetbegintmettaal.nl for more details. For information on taking the exam abroad, you can call +31 (0)70 3487575, +31 (0)70 3487575.

Highly skilled migrant scheme

(Kennismigranten)

This scheme is initiated by an employer authorised to admit highly skilled migrant applicants-there's a complete list on the IND site-and it applies to jobs with agross salary of over EUR 51,239 or EUR 37,575 for under 30s. These salary bands don't apply to teaching and academic positions which are also covered by the scheme. Footballers are explicitly excluded. A highly skilled migrant needs to get an MVV while staying abroad before applying for a residence permit in the Netherlands. With an MVV under this scheme, it is possible to start work straight away, while waiting for the residence permit to come through. (Some applicants, who don't specifically need an MVV, also get an MVV for this reason.) The sponsoring employer deals with the residence and MVV application. Since December 2007, foreign students who have completed an HBO/WO (higher education) course can file an application with the IND to remain in the Netherlands for a year to look for a job. This is known as a zoekjaar and during this period they are not eligible for social benefits and must support themselves financially. During this year they do not need a separate work permit in order to work. If they find an appropriate job (minimum salary EUR 26.931 for new graduates) they can apply for residence under the highly skilled migrant scheme.

Changing permits

Most residence permits can be extended; with the exception of, for example, working holiday scheme permits and the special permit for a preparatory year for students.  If you switch permits (residency based on a work permit to residency as a highly skilled migrant), you must apply for that permit again from the IND with supporting documentation.

Identification

All residents over the age of 14 must carry ID that shows their residence status (for EU/EER nationals, a passport).

 For more information on bringing your partner, family or an au-pair to the Netherlands read 'Bringing the family over'. 

If you still have animmigration question, then ask an Expatica Immigration Expert.

Ask one of our immigration experts to help (for free). Simply visit our Ask-the-expert section and select the immigration category from the drop-down menu.

EXPAT CENTRES in the Netherlands help  guide you through the red tape and speed up the immigration process

Expat centres in the Netherlands

Expatcenter Amsterdam
World Trade Center Amsterdam
Strawinskylaan 39 (second floor)
1077 XW Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 254 79 99, +31 (0)20 254 79 99
www.iamsterdam.com/en/living/expatcenter

 
Expat Center Brabant
Currently serving Eindhoven and Tilburg
www.expatcenterbrabant.com

Eindhoven
(visiting address)
Kennedyplein 200
5611 ZT Eindhoven
040-2386777, 040-2386777
eindhoven@expatcenterbrabant.com

Tilburg
(visiting address)
Nieuwlandstraat 34
5038 SN Tilburg
040-2386777, 040-2386777
tilburg@expatcenterbrabant.com

Expat Centre Leiden
Vistors Centre: Stationsweg 41, Leiden
welcome@expatcentreleiden.nl
www.expatcentreleiden.nl

Expatdesk Rotterdam
World Trade Center Rotterdam
Room 337/ 338, Beursplein 37
3011 AA Rotterdam
010 205 3749 / 010 205 2829
expatdesk@rotterdam.nl
www.rotterdam.nl/expatdesk

Expat Information Services Center
Expat Information Services Center
P.J. Oudweg 4 (WTC AA)
1314 CH Almere
036 548 50 20
wtcaa@wtcaa.nl
www.wtcaa.nl

Holland Gateway
Schiphol-based hub for international business in the Netherlands
WTC Schiphol Airport, Schiphol Boulevard 167
1118 BG Schiphol
020 206 5920
contact@hollandgateway.nl
www.hollandgateway.nl/

International Service Desk--Maastricht Region
Visiting address:
Mosae Forum 10
6211 DW Maastricht
International@maastricht.nl
+31 (0)43 350 50 10, +31 (0)43 350 50 10

Nijmegen Expatdesk
Stadswinkel
Marienburg 75
6511 Nijmegen
024 3292408
openhuis@nijmegen.nl
www.nijmegen.nl/expats

The Hague International Center
City Hall (Atrium), Spui 70
2511 BT The Hague
internationalcentre@denhaag.nl
+31 (0)70 3535043, +31 (0)70 3535043
www.denhaag.nl
+31 (0)36 523 8