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Study in the Netherlands from India

Official sources only·Rupee guide at ECB rates·Last checked 29 Oct 2026

In the Netherlands the university is your recognised sponsor and applies to the IND for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit. After graduating, the orientation year lets you work freely while you look for a job.

Dutch student residence permit (MVV) guide All 15 countries
Permit fee
€254 (paid by the institution) [1]
Funds (2026)
€1,130.77 a month [2]
Work
16 h/week or full time Jun–Aug, with a TWV [1]
After graduating
Orientation year: 1 year, work freely [3]
01 Tests and entry rules

Admission first, then the IND

Exams Netherlands asks for

  • Only your recognised sponsor (the university or university of applied sciences) can apply for your student residence permit. [1]

English requirements for admission are set on each programme page.

02 When to start, what to study

Courses and timing

  • Book your MVV appointment at the Dutch representation within 3 months of the decision; the MVV is valid for 90 days and your passport needs 6 months' validity left. [1]
  • The permit lasts for your study plus 3 months, up to 5 years, as long as you meet the study-progress rules. [1]

Most bachelor's and master's programmes start in September; some start in February. Deadlines for non-EU students are often earlier — check the programme page.

Find a course: official search tools

03 Tuition and living money

Money and fees

Amounts in local currency with a rupee guide
WhatAmount≈ In rupees
Means of support for study (2026) [2] €1,130.77 per month ≈ ₹1.2 lakh
Student residence permit fee [1] €254 per application (institution pays) ≈ ₹26,900
Orientation year permit fee [3] €254 per application ≈ ₹26,900
NL Scholarship (if awarded) [4] €5,000 per first year, one time ≈ ₹5.3 lakh

Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the ECB reference rate of 28 Oct 2026. Your bank or forex card adds a margin, and rates move every day. ECB euro reference rates, 28 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Tuition for non-EEA students (the 'institutional fee') is set by each institution; read it on the programme page.

04 Funding you can apply for

Scholarships for Indian students

  • Applications for the 2026-27 NL Scholarship opened on 1 November 2025; deadlines are set by each institution. [4]
05 The application funnel

From admission to residence permit

  1. Admission

    Get admitted to a programme at a recognised sponsor.

  2. Prove funds to the institution

    €1,130.77 a month for 2026 (the institution checks it for the IND). [2]

  3. Institution applies

    It files the MVV and residence permit together and pays €254. [1]

  4. MVV appointment

    At the Dutch representation within 3 months of the decision. [1]

  5. TB test if asked

    Book the GGD within 3 months of getting the permit, with form 7604. [1]

06 Visa rules and choke points

The student permit in short

  • If someone in the Netherlands finances you, they must earn set amounts (for example €2,766.67 a month without holiday allowance if single, from 1 July 2026). [2]
  • Your permit can end if you do not meet the study-progress requirements. [1]

Full Dutch student residence permit (MVV) guide: steps, money, documents and problems

07 Work while studying and after

Work during and after your course

  • As an employee you need a work permit (TWV) from your employer and must choose: up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August. [1]
  • Self-employment needs no TWV but you must register with the Chamber of Commerce; a traineeship that is part of the programme needs no TWV. [1]
  • Orientation year: 1 year, not extendable, apply within 3 years of graduating; work freely without a TWV. [3]
  • Afterwards, a highly skilled migrant job has a reduced salary floor for recent graduates: €3,122 gross a month in 2026. [2]
08 Questions students search

Doubts about studying in Netherlands

How much money do I need to study in the Netherlands?

For 2026 the IND amount for study at a university or university of applied sciences is 1,130.77 euros a month. [2]

Can international students work in the Netherlands?

Yes, with a work permit (TWV) from the employer: either up to 16 hours a week or full time in June, July and August. [1]

What is the orientation year (zoekjaar) in the Netherlands?

A one-year residence permit after graduating, to look for work. It cannot be extended, and you can work freely without a TWV. [3]

Who applies for my Dutch student visa?

Your institution, as recognised sponsor, applies for the MVV and residence permit together and pays the 254 euro fee. [1]

09 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every fact above is read from the official pages below (government, embassy, regulator, test owner or university), last checked on 29 October 2026. Visa money, fees and work rules change several times a year — open the official page before you pay or apply.

  1. IND — Student residence permit for university or higher professional education (opens in a new tab) €254, sponsor, TWV, MVV, TB, 5 years · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
  2. IND — Required amounts and income requirements (opens in a new tab) €1,130.77 (2026), financier amounts, €3,122 · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
  3. IND — Residence permit for orientation year (opens in a new tab) 1 year, 3-year window, €254, work freely · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
  4. Study in NL (Nuffic) — NL Scholarship (opens in a new tab) €5,000, eligibility · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
  5. EACEA — Erasmus Mundus catalogue (opens in a new tab) Joint master's · Last checked 29 Oct 2026

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.

Before you go: India-side guides and other countries