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Dutch visa resources

After you arrive in the Netherlands

After entering on your MVV you collect your residence permit from an IND desk, register with your municipality for a BSN, take a TB test if required, and arrange health insurance.

Official guidance Regularly updated

Important

This information is for general guidance only. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee your application will be approved.

Once your MVV is issued you travel to the Netherlands and the residence permit document is produced. The IND notifies you when it is ready — by letter, a message in My IND, or SMS — and you collect it in person from the IND desk named in your notification (locations include Amsterdam, Den Haag, 's-Hertogenbosch and Zwolle, plus service points such as Expat Centre Maastricht and Goes). You must collect it yourself and bring your valid passport and appointment code.

You then complete your local set-up. If you are staying longer than four months you register with your municipality in the Personal Records Database (BRP), which gives you a citizen service number (BSN) needed for work, banking and dealing with government. A TB test undertaking and health insurance also have set deadlines.

Collecting your residence permit

  • The IND notifies you by letter, My IND message or SMS when the document is ready
  • Collect in person at the IND desk stated in the notification
  • Bring your valid passport/travel document and your appointment code
  • Any original documents you submitted are returned to you at collection

Register with your municipality (BRP) and get a BSN

  • Register in the Personal Records Database if staying longer than four months
  • The municipality issues your BSN (burgerservicenummer)
  • A legalised, translated birth certificate is usually required to register

Health and TB obligations

  • If you undertook to take a TB test, make the appointment within 3 months of receiving your residence permit
  • Register for Dutch health insurance within 4 months of arrival

Next steps

  1. Check the documents you’ll needView documents
  2. How to applyStart here
  3. Choose your visaFind a visa

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.