The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has published data on the issuance of residence permits to foreign students. The trend continues: more and more foreign students come to study in the Netherlands every year. From January to the end of July 2023, foreign students submitted 17 applications for a residence permit in connection with their studies. This is 870 more applications than in the same period in 1240.
When will foreign students receive a residence permit?
IND is committed to processing such applications as quickly as possible so that students can begin their studies from September. The mass issuance of residence permits to foreign students is planned for September 2 and 7 at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht complex. These days, about 14 foreigners will receive student residence permits. Most applications for these residence permits are received between April and August, and the IND does everything possible to ensure that students from outside the EU do not have to worry about whether they will be able to live in the Netherlands.
Trend of increasing applications for training
В IND notes that in the last two years the number of foreign students has increased by more than 1000 people per year. The non-EU countries that send the most students to Dutch universities include China, India, the USA, Turkey and Indonesia
Cooperation between IND and educational institutions
Typically, at least 98% of students receive a positive decision on issuing a student residence permit. This high percentage of IND approvals for residence permits is due to the fact that the application can only be submitted by a recognized sponsor, in this case an educational institution that has already partially assessed the student's eligibility for residence. Therefore, the IND evaluates applicants and makes a decision within two weeks.
Some universities have study programs that begin in January rather than September, so IND has a slight peak in applications at the end of the year. Last year, the IND made 22 decisions on student accommodation applications. This is about 21% of all regular (not including refugees) decisions on granting residence permits.
A residence permit is required for students to begin their studies, apply for a health insurance card, and handle banking issues. In order not to overload the counters, IND is conducting a mass delivery of documents for accommodation in the Jaarbeurs Utrecht complex. Students from educational institutions in the Groningen and Maastricht regions do not have to come to Utrecht; they will be able to obtain a residence permit in their regions.
The Dutch government cares not only about foreign students, but also about young people permanently residing in the country. Find out about this in our article.
Publication Date: 04.09.2023
