We can only apply for your student visa and residence permit once you have met your admission conditions. These will include:

• Meeting any language requirements
• Submitting any requested academic records in the correct manner
• Meeting any other conditions of admission

Where to find your conditions

• Exchange students: check in your online application (uSis). 
• Degree students: check your admission decision.

Not yet admitted? 

Check the admission and application procedures.

Problems meeting conditions on time?

Are you unable to meet your admission conditions before the visa/residence permit deadline? For steps to take, see the FAQ for master’s students or FAQ for bachelor’s students

Applied for a programme with limited places or compulsory matching?

This will be mentioned on your admission statement if applicable. If so, you must also have been allocated a place via the selection process, or have completed your matching module before we can apply for your visa.

This will invite you to start your visa and residence permit application in the uSis visa portal.

• Joining us in September: you will receive this email 24 hours after you have been (conditionally) admitted, but not earlier than 1 April.
   
• Joining us in February: you will receive this email 24 hours after you have been (conditionally) admitted.

In the uSis visa portal, you will be asked to select the country and embassy where you will collect your entry visa (MVV). You must collect your entry visa in your home country. 

You can only collect your entry visa outside your home country in the following situations:

• You have legal residency in another country. Contact the Dutch embassy in that country to check if you can collect your entry visa there.
• Your home country does not have a Dutch embassy or consulate that can issue entry visas. In this case, your country will be served by a Dutch embassy in a neighbouring country. Visit NetherlandsWorldwide to find the location of the embassy that serves your country.

You will be asked to upload the following documents in the uSis visa portal.

• Copy of your valid passport:
  • Include all pages with personal information, visas and entry/exit stamps. 
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the start date of your study programme. If it will expire earlier, you must renew your passport before applying for your visa and residence permit.
     
• Completed and signed Antecedents Certificate:
  • Signature must be hand-written (not digital) and match your passport signature. 
  • If you must answer yes to any of the questions, consult Leiden University before proceeding: 
    • Exchange students contact form
    • Degree students contact form

Carefully read the information on the Proof of funds page, then upload the required items in the uSis visa portal.

Check criteria carefully!
Make sure your proof of funds documents meet all the stipulated criteria! Missing or incorrect documents will significantly slow down the processing of your residence permit application.

If applicable, upload the following documents:

• Copy of both sides of your Dutch residence permit
   
• Copy of your valid EU/EEA or Swiss residence permit
   
• Documents required for your family visa/residence permit application. Contact Leiden University for instructions

Fee amount

• Student residence permit fee: €243*

*valid as of 2025 and subject to annual change

How to pay?

In the uSis visa portal you will see instructions on how to pay. This can be either by way of online payment or bank transfer. See bank transfer information. 

Before submitting your application, read the obligations for student residence permit holders. Be aware that if you fail to meet these obligations, Leiden University is required to inform the Dutch immigration department (IND), which may result in the revocation of your permit.

After you submit your application, Leiden University will check all information and documents are in order. Note that this may take 4 to 6 weeks in the busy period (June to August). 

If anything is missing or incorrect, you will be notified via uSis. Check your emails and uSis notifications frequently and take action immediately if needed.

Once your application has been checked by Leiden University, we will forward it to the Dutch immigration department (IND). The IND will make a decision on your application within 2 to 4 weeks. 

Leiden University will notify you by email as soon as the IND issues a decision. Keep a copy of this email as you will need it after arrival when registering at a Dutch town hall.

Do not enter the Netherlands on a tourist or short-stay visa whilst awaiting the IND's decision. This can negatively impact your application. 

Once your application has been provisionally approved, Leiden University will send you an email inviting you to schedule an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate. 

• You can schedule your appointment via NetherlandsWorldwide.
• The embassy/consulate will let you know exactly which documents to bring to your appoinment.
  Note: you do not need your letter of approval from the IND, even if the embassy requests this in their standard communication.
• During the appointment, your biometric data (finger prints, signature and digital photo) will be recorded.

Approximately two weeks after your appointment, your entry visa will be ready. The embassy will let you know how and when you can collect or receive your visa.

You will collect your student residence permit after arrival in the Netherlands.

Once your permit is ready, Leiden University will send you an email with instructions and a link to schedule a residence permit collection appointment.

Make sure to complete all the procedures that are relevant to you as soon as possible after arrival.

• Town hall registration
  As a residence permit holder, you must register with your local Dutch town hall as soon as possible and at least within one month of arrival. Failure to do so can result in the cancellation of your residence permit. Schedule your appointment and check the required documents on the Town hall registration page. Remember to arrange housing well in advance as you will need proof of your Dutch address for your appointment.
   
• Open a Dutch Bank account
  You are highly advised to open a Dutch bank account after arrival. This is particularly important if you have transferred funds to Leiden University for your visa/residence permit application, or have been awarded a scholarship by Leiden University. These funds will be transferred to your Dutch bank account. Find out how to open a Dutch bank account.
   
• Refund of living expenses
  Did you transfer funds for living expenses to Leiden University as part of your visa/residence permit application? After you have opened a Dutch bank account, submit this refund form to request that the funds be returned to you.
   
• Insurance
  If you haven't already done so, arrange health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay. This is compulsory for all residents of the Netherlands. See the health insurance page for details. Note that if you decide to work alongside your studies, you must take out Dutch public health insurance.

• Tuberculosis examination
  Nationals of some countries must undergo a tuberculosis (TB) examination after arrival in the Netherlands. Check in this list if you are exempted from a TB examination. You will receive details of your appointment by email shortly after arrival in the Netherlands.