The visa is issued to those who do not have citizenship of the European Union, and some developed countries. The list can be found on the IND website.
On June 1, 2013, a new simplified and accelerated procedure was introduced called TEV (Toegang en Verblijf). The application for the first residence permit will be considered immediately when the MVV is applied for in the Netherlands. However, you will be able to obtain a residence permit only with an actual decision to issue a visa.
It is significant to know that:
- The basis for the MVV request maybe work, study, living with a spouse/partner/cohabitant;
- To obtain an MVV, an assistant (guarantor) is required – a person or organization that will be financially responsible for you and your stay in the country;
- In the case of family creation or reunification, only your spouse/partner/cohabitant can be the referent. Relatives cannot act as referents;
- In the case of family creation or reunification, the referent can be not only a Dutch citizen but also a citizen of another country (not the EU). It is crucial that he has lived in the Netherlands for at least one year and has a residence permit in the country for a non-temporary purpose;
- An MVV visa to the Netherlands is issued at the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst);
- MVV gives the right to obtain a residence permit. For more information about residence permits and work permits, read the FAQ about residence permits.
Attention! Family members or partners of citizens of EC countries do not need an MVV visa. They have the right to apply for a residence permit. Details in English can be found on the IND website under Family members with a different nationality.
Requirements for obtaining MVV
You should:
- Be over 21 years old;
- Have a passport valid for at least another nine months at the time of the MVV request;
- Have a certificate of passing the Dutch (Dutch) language proficiency test. For more information about this exam, read the MVV Exam FAQ;
- Not be married if you move to a roommate;
- Upon arrival in the Netherlands, register and live at your partner’s address.
Your Netherlands partner should:
- Be over 21 years old;
- Officially reside in Holland for at least one year with a residence permit or as a citizen of Netherlands;
- At the time of the MVV request to have a guaranteed and stable income (see clause 3).
- Have sufficient income;
- Not be married if you live in cohabitation.
Cost for MVV and residence permitย
The cost of the MVV visa to the Netherlands and the first residence permit in case of living with a partner is 192 euros as of January 1, 2021. The current rates are indicated in the official Leges table: kosten van een aanvraag.
Preparing for an MVV request in the Netherlands
- Language exam
Prepare and take the MVV exam in Language and Social Studies. Preparation can take at least 1-3 months. The certificate is valid for one year after passing the exam. For more information about the exam and readiness for it, read the MVV Exam FAQ.
Review of documents
The IND confirms receipt of the documents in an official letter or by telephone two weeks after their submission. This letter also contains the official V-number of your dossier. You will need this number if you want to call the IND and inquire about the status of your case. This number is also indicated on the short-stay visa if you applied for such a visa at the Dutch consulate.
After that, you will receive a letter with the details for paying for the MVV visa to the Netherlands and a residence permit. The bill must be paid within two weeks.
The IND checks whether you and your documents meet the requirements. Sometimes you may be required to provide additional documents within a certain period, usually two weeks. If you do not meet this deadline, call and ask for an extension.
The official deadline for reviewing your dossier is 90 days. The decision is communicated to the assistant in an official letter.
Decision-making
In case of a negative decision, the referent has the right to an official protest. How to do this is indicated in the letter. At the same time, money for the MVV procedure is not refunded.
In case of a concrete decision, you must glue the MVV visa within three months. To do this, you need to make an appointment at the Consulate of the Netherlands, where you took the MVV exam. The letter confirming the meeting will indicate which documents you must present to the consulate.
Issuing MVV
You bring legalized originals (and photocopies of originals) plus translations (and photocopies of translations) of your documents to the consulate. Documents are checked in your presence. If they are in order, then the request for an MVV to the Netherlands is satisfied and your visa is pasted into your passport on the same day. If you are traveling with a child, he must also be present when checking documents and obtaining a visa. After insertion, you have another three months to enter the Netherlands.