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Foreigners are allowed to stay in the Netherlands under certain conditions. Not only to settle here, but also to study or do an internship. An overview of the difference residence permits for legal aliens.

Ordinary admission

• Aliens from countries for which there is no visa requirement (such as EU countries) can enter the country and stay for a maximum of three months. A valid entry document, such as a passport, is required. Aliens from outside the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) must also demonstrate that they have the financial means to pay for their departure.

• Aliens from countries for which there is a visa requirement may only enter the country with a valid visa. This can be obtained from Dutch embassies and consulates in the alien's country of origin or country of residence. A visa is valid for a maximum period of three months.

• Aliens from countries for which there is a visa requirement who want to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months must normally obtain a Temporary Permission to Reside (MVV) from the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of origin or residence. The alien cannot enter the Netherlands until the MVV has been obtained and he or she must register with the aliens police within three days of arrival to apply for a residence permit.

  If an alien is allowed to remain in the Netherlands, he or she is given a Permission to Reside (VTV) for one year. It must be renewed each year. After five years, the alien can apply for a permanent residence permit. This is only given if:

  a) there is a 'special Dutch interest' in admitting the alien. For example, foreigners with a specialist expertise not sufficiently available in the Netherlands (or in the EU)

  b) there are 'urgent humanitarian reasons': family reunification or medical treatment or

  c) international obligations or treaties so demand.

• With the fifth renewal of their Permission to Reside, aliens can request a Permit to take up Residence (Vtvest), if, that is, they do not have a criminal record and have sufficient income to see to their own needs. A state grant does not count as income. The Permit is withdrawn if the alien takes up residence outside the Netherlands.

Asylum-seekers are aliens who apply for asylum. They thereby request protection from persecution on the grounds of their political conviction, faith, race, nationality or belonging to a particular social group in their country of origin. There are different categories of permits for asylum-seekers.

• An asylum-seeker whose application is accepted is admitted as a refugee and receives the so-called "A" status under Section 10 of the Aliens Act, which is valid for an indefinite period.

• Asylum-seekers who are not eligible for an A status, but who cannot be sent back on urgent humanitarian grounds, may be granted a Permit for Residence (VIV) without restrictions, also known as a Permit for Residence on Humanitarian Grounds (VTV-humanitair). A holder of this permit is also permitted to work.

• A Temporary Residence Permit (VVTV) is an exceptional residence permit given to asylum-seekers who cannot be sent back because the situation in the country of origin is very bad. This permit is designed for people fleeing from a war, who can be sent back when the situation improves. If the situation does not improve, the asylum-seeker can be given a VTV after three years. VVTV holders must gradually integrate into Dutch society. In the first year, they can follow orientation and language courses and work part-time.
  In the second year, they are also allowed to enter professional training. Third-year VVTV holders may work without restrictions. A work permit is not required.

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