How to apply for a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam? Confirm Your Participation After you have been admitted to VU Amsterdam you can confirm your participation in VUnet. In VUnet you can also indicate whether you need a visa/residence permit and if you wish to apply for accommodation through VU Amsterdam. In VUnet you will be able to upload all required documents. There are four steps you need to be aware of (if applicable): 1. Confirm your participation in VUnet. 2. Apply for a visa/residence permit in VUnet, if you have a nonEU/EEA nationality*. The application deadline is 1 June 2021. 3. Apply for accommodation in VUnet (recommended). 4. Transfer your visa fee and/or housing fee via the online payment tool in VUnet. Housing is assigned on a firstpaid, first-served basis. Entry Visa (MVV) and Residence Permit (VVR) Whether you need an entry visa (MVV) and residence permit (VVR) depends on your nationality (please see figure below). VU Amsterdam will apply on your behalf after you have submitted the required documents in VUnet and have transferred the visa fee. Your contact person of the Services team will inform you once the visa/residence permit has been approved. Also, you will be notified when and where you can collect the visa and/or residence permit. Entry visa (MVV) An entry visa (MVV) is a sticker in your passport issued by the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in your home country (or the country in which you legally reside). This sticker is needed to enter the Netherlands. An MVV is valid for three months after you have collected the entry visa at the Dutch Embassy/ Consulate. Please note that your passport has to be valid for at least six months after you have collected your MVV. You will receive your residence permit after arrival in the Netherlands. Residence permit (VVR) All Non-EU/ EEA students who will stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months need a residence permit (VVR). This permit allows you to reside legally in the Netherlands for the duration of your study programme.
Additionally, you also need to prove that you can pay your tuition fees. So the proof of financial means consists of proof that you can pay the tuition fees and your living expenses. In VUnet you can upload the required documents. There are different options to prove you have sufficient financial means. Tuberculosis test A tuberculosis test may be part of your application for a residence permit after arrival in the Netherlands. VU Amsterdam will inform you when and where to go, depending on your nationality. Satisfactory Academic Progress The Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires for all students with a residence permit for study purposes to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. This means that students need to obtain at least 50% of the credits of their study programme each year in order to keep their residence permit for the next academic year. VU Amsterdam will check each year whether you meet these requirements. When students do not meet the requirements and there is no excusable reason for not passing enough courses, the International Office is obliged to inform the IND. Consequently your residence permit will be withdrawn regardless of the expiry date listed on the actual permit. This law applies to all students with a residence permit for study purposes. Please be aware that it is not possible to register for another study programme at VU Amsterdam if you do not meet the criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Residence Permit
Costs
EU/EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)
No
No
€
Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, United States of America, Vatican City** *
No
Yes
€ 250,-
Israel, San Marino
Yes
Yes Yes
€
Other countries
Yes
Yes Yes
€ 250,-
* UK nationals travelling to the Netherlands from 1 January 2021 will need to apply for a residence permit. You can find relevant information on this webpage: www.vu.nl/brexit
Proof of financial means When you are not from an EU or EEA country you must prove that you are able to finance the costs of living in the Netherlands. The Dutch Immigration Service determines the amount per month/year. For 2021-2022 you need to be able to prove that you have at least €900*** per month for the total duration of your study programme enrollment.
Entry Visa
GLOBE-AMERICAS Nationality
Students who do not need an entry visa (MVV) first need to have their biometrics (electronic photo and fingerprint) taken after arriving in the Netherlands. You will be informed by the Services team how you can make an appointment to provide your biometrics at the IND. It takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks before your resdence permit is ready after you have given your biometrics. VU Amsterdam will inform you when you can collect your residence permit.
** Students who will be following an Exchange programme with the
0,-
0,-
nationality have the possibility to apply for the Working Holiday Permit (WHP) or Working Holiday Scheme (WHS). See our website for more information. *** This amount is valid as of 1 February 2020 and is subject to change.
Australian, Argentine, Canadian, South-Korean and New-Zealand
Getting Started
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