Visa d’études aux Pays-Bas pour les étudiants algériens :…

Part 1 of 16

🎓 Choosing a university and obtaining admission

Check the institution in the IND public register of recognised study sponsors. Your programme must be accredited and full-time. Review the programme's academic qualifications, assessment of Algerian diplomas, teaching language, accepted tests and scores, documents, tuition fees and deadlines. Admission is decided by the institution; there is no universal grade or language test for all programmes. IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge are examples, subject to university rules. Prepare diplomas, transcripts, language evidence and any CV, motivation letter or references requested by your programme.

Part 2 of 16

📝 Applying for admission

Most programmes start through Studielink, followed where required by the university portal. Some institutions use another process for overseas applicants. General dates include 15 January for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May for other programmes, but programme and visa-applicant deadlines can differ. Always use your institution's published deadline. Accept your offer and complete outstanding conditions, final documents and payments. Conditional admission may still require further steps.

Part 3 of 16

🛂 Who applies for the visa and residence permit?

In the usual route, the recognised educational institution submits the MVV entry visa and student residence permit application together to IND, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service. Send your file to the university, follow its instructions and attend the embassy after approval. Form 7504 is for the recognised sponsor or authorised representative, not a replacement for the university's application.

Part 4 of 16

📂 Documents to send to the university

Passport copy, including identity details and stamped pages as instructed.
Documents establishing enrolment.
Financial evidence in the accepted form.
Completed and signed Antecedents Certificate.
Any additional documents requested for your circumstances.

The Antecedents Certificate is a declaration required from age 12; do not confuse it with an Algerian criminal record extract. Check names, dates of birth, passport details and signatures. Ask about the immigration-document and transfer deadlines, which may differ from admission deadlines.

Part 5 of 16

💶 Required living funds

The official 2026 higher-education amount is €1,130.77 per month, or €13,569.24 for 12 months. It excludes tuition fees and applies through 31 December 2026. Check the new amount for 2027. This administrative threshold does not guarantee that actual expenses will be no higher.

Part 6 of 16

🏦 Demonstrating sufficient funds

Your own account
recent bank evidence and freely withdrawable funds.
University deposit
the required living funds must reach its account before application, following its instructions.
Scholarship
a statement showing issuer, amount, dates and student details.
Parent or other financier abroad
support declaration, identity copy and evidence of account balance and access to funds.
Financier in the Netherlands
support declaration, identity, population-register extract and qualifying income evidence.

Relevant bank documents and support declarations must be no more than three months old under IND rules. Bank evidence must show the name, account number, balance, date and bank contact details. Company funding has separate requirements. Complete annual student income declarations as requested.

Part 7 of 16

📜 Translation and apostille of Algerian documents

Algeria became a party to the Apostille Convention on 9 July 2026. Use complete original documents. Arabic documents need sworn translation into Dutch, English, French or German. When translated in Algeria, apostille both the original and translation. French documents do not require translation under Dutch legalisation guidance, though a university can specify another language for admission. Ask the requesting authority what needs legalisation. An apostille does not establish academic admission or recognition.

Part 8 of 16

⏳ Application fee and processing time

The published student residence application fee is €254 in 2026, paid through the institution. IND's decision period is 60 days and may be extended, for example for an incomplete file. Admission and embassy appointment time are additional. Tuition, living costs, translation, legalisation, insurance, travel and housing are separate expenses.

Part 9 of 16

🏛️ Obtaining the MVV sticker in Algeria

After approval, follow the official Algeria MVV page and its appointment link. The appointment is at the Netherlands embassy in Algiers, only if the IND approval letter permits collection there. Apply for the sticker within three months of receiving the approval letter.

Passport and identity-page copy
at least six months' validity on the appointment date and two blank pages
A photo meeting Dutch requirements.
Approval letter, or for study the university email containing your V-number.
Originals and copies of other documents listed in the approval letter.
Evidence of legal residence if living outside your nationality country.

The embassy retains the passport and states up to 10 working days to issue the sticker, then notifies you. Check names and dates immediately.

Part 10 of 16

📸 Photo and biometrics

The photo is 35 × 45 mm, in colour, taken within six months, with a plain light background, clearly visible face facing the camera and closed mouth. Check the complete official photo rules. Photo, fingerprints and signature are collected at the MVV appointment. Follow any IND request for additional biometrics; book a Netherlands biometrics appointment only after receiving the required notification.

Part 11 of 16

🏠 Before travelling

Arrange housing early and ask your university for help and housing deadlines. Because of the student-housing shortage, arrange accommodation before arrival. Check the rental contract, included bills, property and landlord before paying. Keep your passport and visa, university admission and contacts, housing address, insurance and financial documents, and required originals accessible when travelling.

Part 12 of 16

🩺 Health insurance

For study only, arrange suitable home-country insurance covering the Netherlands or private health insurance; Dutch basic public insurance does not automatically apply. Starting employment usually requires Dutch basic insurance. Paid internships and self-employment need assessment under their particular rules.

Part 13 of 16

📍 After arrival

Collect your residence card following university and IND instructions. The MVV is valid for 90 days and is not a permanent substitute for the card.
For stays over four months, register with the municipality in BRP to obtain your BSN. Bring a legalised birth certificate and translation where needed; ask the municipality about other documents.
Complete final university registration, admission conditions, documents and payments.
Ensure suitable health insurance is active.

Algerian nationals are exempt from the TB test under the current IND exemption list.

Part 14 of 16

🔄 Maintaining and extending residence

Continue meeting study and financial conditions and generally obtain at least 50% of annual study credits. Report circumstances affecting progress to your university for assessment. Complete annual financial declarations. For employment, the employer needs a TWV work permit; choose either up to 16 hours a week or full-time work in June, July and August. Coordinate any residence extension with the university before expiry. Applications can be submitted with three months or less remaining, subject to continuing eligibility, a valid passport and main residence in the Netherlands.

Part 15 of 16