Residence permit Netherlands (2026): every type, how to apply, costs and renewal
Every Dutch residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) in one table, with its 2026 fee, the IND decision period and how long it runs. Then how to apply, what the card says, how to renew or change a permit, and how people lose one.
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Rules from the IND and the Aliens Decree · Checked 1 October 2026
Short answer
A non-EU national who stays in the Netherlands for more than 90 days needs a residence permit for one purpose, such as work, study or family. Often your sponsor (your employer, your university or your partner) applies to the IND for you; the 2026 fee runs from €85 to €1,337, mostly €423 for work and €254 for study or family, and the IND decides within 90 days for most permits. Step by step: how to apply for a Dutch residence permit.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
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Key facts for 2026
- 90 days is the IND decision period for most first applications and extensions.
- €423 is the 2026 fee for most work and business permits; €254 for study and family.
- 5 years is the longest a first permit runs; startup and orientation year permits run at most 1 year.
- 3 months before expiry is the earliest you can apply to extend.
- 4 weeks after expiry is the latest to apply without a gap in your residence.
- 5 years on a permit with a non-temporary purpose opens the way to permanent residence.
- 6 months in a row abroad in one calendar year can end your main residence here.
This is general information about Dutch law, not legal advice for your situation. Rules change; figures are for 2026. No rights can be derived from this text.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
Updated for 2026
Netherlands residence permit types in 2026 compared
Every Dutch residence permit is issued for a purpose of residence, and that purpose sets the fee, the decision period and how long the permit runs. Fees are for an adult’s first application.
| Permit | Who it is for | 2026 IND fee | Decision period | First permit runs | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant | Employees of an IND-recognised sponsor | €423 | 90 days | Contract length, at most 5 years | Highly skilled migrant guide |
| EU Blue Card | Highly educated employees | €423 | 90 days; 30 through a recognised sponsor | Contract plus 3 months, at most 5 years | EU Blue Card guide |
| Paid employment (single permit) | Employees who also need a work permit | €423 | 90 days | At most 3 years | Work permit guide |
| Intra-corporate transfer | Managers, specialists and trainees moved to a Dutch branch | €423 | 90 days | At most 3 years; trainees 1 year | Work visa guide |
| Researcher | Scientific researchers | €254 | 60 days | Contract length, at most 5 years | Work visa guide |
| Study | Students at a university, college or school | €254 | 60 days | Length of the study, at most 5 years | Student visa guide |
| Orientation year | Graduates looking for work | €254 | 90 days | At most 1 year, cannot be extended | Orientation year guide |
| Partner or family | Partners and children of people living here | €254; child €85 | 90 days | As long as the sponsor’s right, at most 5 years | Partner visa guide |
| Startup | Founders of an innovative company, with a facilitator | €423 | 90 days | At most 1 year | Startup visa guide |
| Self-employed | People starting their own business | €423 | 90 days | At most 2 years, then up to 5 | Startup visa guide |
| DAFT (US citizens) | Americans running their own business | €423 | 90 days | At most 2 years, then up to 5 | DAFT visa guide |
| Au pair | Au pairs placed by a recognised au pair agency | €423 | 90 days | Cannot be extended | IND au pair page |
| Working holiday | People aged 18 to 30 from certain countries | €85 | 90 days | At most 1 year, cannot be extended | IND working holiday page |
| Medical treatment | People who need medical treatment here | €1,337 | 90 days | At most 1 year, or 5 if the treatment stays tied to the Netherlands | – |
| Permanent residence | People with 5 years on a non-temporary permit | €254 | 6 months | No end date; card renewed every 5 years | Permanent residence guide |
Sources: IND fees, IND decision periods, Aliens Decree 2000, article 3.58 and the IND permit overview.
EU, EEA or Swiss citizen? You need no residence permit and no IND registration to live here, and you are free to work (IND). Coming for a short visit? The residence permit is for stays longer than 90 days; our Netherlands visa guide covers short stays.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
Applying
How to apply for a Dutch residence permit
The steps are the same for most permits; what changes is who applies and which documents you need.
- Pick the permit for your purpose Work, study, family or something else: the purpose decides the requirements, the fee and the decision period. Find yours in the permit table above.
- Check who applies Often your sponsor applies to the IND in the Netherlands: your employer, your university or, for family, your partner. Otherwise you apply for the provisional residence permit (MVV) and the residence permit together at a Dutch embassy or consulate. Our MVV guide explains who needs one.
- Collect your documents A valid passport and the documents the application form lists for your purpose, such as an employment contract or proof of income. Have official foreign documents, such as a birth or marriage certificate, legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
- Pay the fee The 2026 fee for your permit is in the table above. An online application is paid straight away with iDEAL; for a written or embassy application, the form or a letter from the IND explains how to pay.
- Submit the application Online or on the written form, depending on the permit and who applies; with an MVV, at the embassy or consulate.
- Wait for the decision The IND has 90 days for most permits, 60 days for study and research, and 6 months for permanent residence, and it can extend that period. If the deadline passes, see IND processing times and what to do when the IND is late.
- After a yes: biometrics, your card and the town hall If you applied for an MVV, you collect it at the embassy or consulate and travel. If not, you book an IND appointment for your photo and fingerprints; our IND appointment guide shows how. The IND tries to have your card ready within 2 weeks of the biometrics and sends a letter when you can collect it. Then register at your town hall, which gives you your BSN.
- Refused? You can object (bezwaar) to the IND within 4 weeks; the decision letter gives the last date. Our IND rejection guide explains the objection and the appeal to court.
Refused, or the IND is late? Talk to a lawyer
We match you with an independent, English-speaking Dutch immigration lawyer. Lawyer fees are paid to the firm and explained before you proceed.
Sources: IND MVV and residence permit from abroad, after a positive decision, decision periods and object or appeal a decision; Aliens Act 2000, article 69. Checked 1 October 2026.
Status
Temporary and permanent residence permits
Each purpose of residence is either temporary or non-temporary, and only a non-temporary purpose can lead to a more secure right of residence (IND).
- Temporary purposes include study, the orientation year, au pair, working holiday, intra-corporate transfer, seasonal labour and medical treatment. Years on these permits do not open permanent residence.
- Non-temporary purposes include paid employment, highly skilled migrant, the EU Blue Card, research, self-employed work including a startup, and living with a family member who has a non-temporary right.
Permanent residence becomes possible after 5 consecutive years on a valid permit with a non-temporary purpose. The requirements, the EU long-term option, the fee and the timeline are in our permanent residence guide; the step after that is in our Dutch citizenship guide.
The card
The residence card: types I to V and what it shows
Your residence permit is a card, the residence document, and its type tells you which right of residence you have (IND).
| Type on the card | What it is | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | Temporary regular residence permit | Shown on the back under ‘comments’, with whether a work permit is needed |
| Type II | Permanent regular residence permit | Work without restrictions |
| Type III | Temporary asylum residence permit | Work without restrictions |
| Type IV | Permanent asylum residence permit | Work without restrictions |
| Type V | Long-term EU resident | Work without restrictions |
| EU/EER | Registration card for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens | Work without restrictions |
| Family members EU/EEA | Card for non-EU family members of EU citizens | Work without restrictions |
- Read the card. ‘Valid until’ is the end date of the permit, the back states the purpose and whether you may work, and your V-number follows the letters VNR at the bottom.
- Collect it yourself at the place in the IND letter, with your passport and appointment code; a child under 18 comes with a parent or legal representative (IND).
- Lost or stolen? Report it to the police: the card is no longer valid once you do. Then apply for a replacement; the IND decides within 8 weeks, and the new card usually keeps the same end date (IND).
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
Renewal
Renewing (extending) a residence permit
You can apply to extend a temporary permit once it expires within 3 months, and you should do it before it ends (IND).
- Conditions. You still meet the requirements of your permit, have a valid passport and live mainly in the Netherlands.
- Who applies. Usually you, online with DigiD or by post. For a highly skilled migrant, researcher or student in higher education, only the recognised sponsor can apply.
- Not extendable: working holiday, cultural exchange, au pair, trainee or work placement, and the orientation year.
- Late? Apply no later than 4 weeks after expiry to avoid a residence gap, which delays permanent residence and Dutch citizenship. After 2 years or more you need a new permit instead.
- Decision: within 90 days; the fee is the one for your purpose, such as €423 for a highly skilled migrant (IND fees).
Our visa extension guide goes through the application step by step, and our IND processing times guide explains what to do if the IND is late.
Change
Changing the purpose of your permit
If your situation changes and you no longer meet the requirements of your permit, you must apply for a permit with a different purpose (IND).
- Common cases: your relationship ends and you no longer live together, or you stop or finish your studies.
- A stronger right: after 5 years on a temporary permit you may change to permanent residence, and after the death of the partner or parent you lived with you may get an independent permit.
- No new MVV. Even if your nationality normally needs one, you apply for the new permit in the Netherlands.
- Timing: apply while your current permit is still valid, so there is no gap.
Typical switches have their own guides: from startup to self-employed in our startup visa guide, and after a break-up in our partner visa guide.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
Keep your status
How you can lose a residence permit
If the IND concludes that you moved your main residence (hoofdverblijf) abroad, it can withdraw your permit or decide not to extend it (IND).
- Time abroad. More than 6 continuous months in one calendar year, or more than 4 continuous months in 3 calendar years in a row, on a regular temporary or permanent permit.
- Other signals: you are no longer in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP), you stop working or close your business, or your home here is let to others.
- Leaving for good. You do not end the permit yourself: the municipality deregisters you and tells the IND. The card belongs to the Dutch government, so return it by post with a corner cut off, or at an IND desk (IND).
- Refused an extension or losing your permit? You can object to the decision; our IND rejection appeal guide sets out the deadlines.
Keep reading
Related guides
The guides this overview links to most.
Permanent residence
The 5-year rule, the exam and the application.
PermitsExtending your residence permit
The IND application and the timing of an extension.
ApplyingIND processing times
Decision periods and what to do when the IND is late.
WorkNetherlands work visa
Every work route, with the 2026 fees.
FamilyPartner visa
Income, the exam abroad and the application.
VisasAll Netherlands visas
Every route to living here, from short visits to long stays.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a Netherlands residence permit?
It is the document that lets a non-EU national live in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days. It is issued for one purpose of residence, such as work, study or living with a partner, and the card shows until when it is valid and whether you may work. A temporary regular permit is type I, and a permanent regular permit is type II.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
What types of residence permit does the Netherlands have?
Regular permits follow your purpose: work (highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, paid employment, intra-corporate transfer, research), your own business (startup, self-employed, DAFT), study and the orientation year, family, exchange (au pair, working holiday) and medical treatment. After 5 years on a non-temporary purpose you can apply for permanent residence or long-term EU residence.
What is a type I residence permit in the Netherlands?
Type I is a temporary regular residence permit: you may live in the Netherlands temporarily on ordinary grounds. The back of the card shows the purpose, such as study or paid employment, and whether you may work and need a work permit. Type II is a permanent regular permit, and type V is the permit for long-term EU residents.
How long does it take to get a Dutch residence permit?
The IND has 90 days for most first applications, extensions and changes of purpose, 60 days for study and research, and 6 months for permanent residence. A recognised sponsor often gets a faster decision: for study and research the target is 2 weeks for a complete application, and an EU Blue Card applied for by a recognised sponsor has a 30-day period.
How much does a residence permit cost in 2026?
The IND fee depends on the purpose. In 2026 it is €423 for most work and business permits, such as highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card and self-employed, and €254 for study, the orientation year, research and living with a partner. A child under 18 with a parent and a working holiday cost €85, permanent residence €254 and medical treatment €1,337.
Can I change my residence permit to a different purpose?
Yes, and if your situation changes so that you no longer meet the conditions, you must. You apply for a permit with the new purpose, for example after a divorce or when you finish your studies. If your nationality normally needs an MVV, you do not need a new one and can apply in the Netherlands. Apply while your permit is still valid.
How do I renew my Dutch residence permit?
Apply for an extension once your permit expires within 3 months, online with DigiD or by post, and before it ends. You must still meet the conditions and have your main residence here. For highly skilled migrants, researchers and students in higher education, the recognised sponsor applies. The orientation year, au pair and working holiday permits cannot be extended.
Can I lose my residence permit if I live abroad?
Yes. The IND can withdraw a regular permit, or refuse to extend it, if you move your main residence abroad. It assumes this if you were outside the Netherlands for more than 6 continuous months in one calendar year, or more than 4 continuous months in 3 years in a row, and it also looks at signals such as deregistering from the BRP.
How do I apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands?
Often your sponsor (your employer, university or partner) applies to the IND in the Netherlands; otherwise you apply for an MVV and the residence permit together at a Dutch embassy or consulate. You collect the documents the form lists, pay the fee and wait for the decision, within 90 days for most permits. The steps are in how to apply for a Dutch residence permit.
What do residence permit types II to V mean?
The type is printed on the residence card. Type I is a temporary regular permit, type II a permanent regular permit, type III an asylum permit for a fixed period, type IV a permanent asylum permit and type V the permit for long-term EU residents.
What is the difference between a temporary and a permanent residence permit?
A temporary permit is issued for one purpose, such as work or study, and has an end date, at most 5 years for a first permit. A permanent permit has no end date: you can apply after 5 consecutive years on a permit with a non-temporary purpose, with the civic integration exam at level A2 and enough income. See our permanent residence guide.
Do EU citizens need a Dutch residence permit?
No. Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need no residence permit and do not register with the IND; a valid passport or ID card proves lawful residence, and they are free to work. For a longer stay they register at the town hall.
Which residence permits let you work in the Netherlands?
The back of your residence card says whether you may work and whether your employer needs a work permit (TWV). A highly skilled migrant or EU Blue Card permit lets you work for the employer that sponsors you, while a permanent or long-term EU permit and the orientation year let you work freely. Our work permit guide explains when a TWV is needed.
Refused, delayed or facing an IND deadline?
Tell Finn what the IND sent you and the dates on it. We check whether a lawyer is worth it, prepare your case and introduce you to an independent immigration lawyer who works in English. Most clients are introduced to a lawyer within one business day.
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Official sources, checked 14 September 2026
- IND: residence permit au pair
- IND: residence permit working holiday
- IND: fees for an application
- IND: decision periods
- Aliens Decree 2000, article 3.58: how long a residence permit is valid (in Dutch), wetten.overheid.nl
- IND: residence permits for work
- IND: staying in the Netherlands as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- IND: temporary and non-temporary purposes of residence
- IND: permanent residence permit
- IND: residence document model 2020
- IND: appointment to collect your document
- IND: residence permit lost or stolen
- IND: extending a regular temporary residence permit
- IND: changing the purpose of your residence permit
- IND: main residence in the Netherlands
- IND: leaving the Netherlands
Final notes and legal disclaimer
- This article provides general information and is not tailored to your personal circumstances.
- It does not cover all situations, exceptions, or recent legal changes.
- Reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship with findlawyer.nl or any associated entity.
- No guarantee is given that this information is complete, accurate, or up to date.
- No rights can be derived from this article.
- For decisions about Dutch residence permits, or your specific situation, always consult a qualified professional.
FindLawyer is a lawyer-matching and case-preparation service, not a law firm. Legal advice comes from the partner lawyer.