September 10, 2025 
Studying in the Netherlands has become a popular destination for international students due to its highly regarded institutions, diverse culture, and relatively affordable education compared to other European destinations. However, before you start packing your bags, you need to go through the Netherlands student visa process—a vital aspect of arriving and living in the Netherlands.
In this blog, I will walk you through a step-by-step guide to the Netherlands student visa 2025, give everything you need to know, including requirements, costs, processing time, and helpful information. If you are an Indian student or someone applying from another country, this guide will address all your potential questions while maintaining a practical and easy to read style.
Why Study in the Netherlands?
Before we jump into the visa information, let’s look at why thousands of students select the Netherlands every year:
- Highly ranked universities: Universities like Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, and Utrecht University rank very highly on all national and international measures of university ranking.
- Affordability: Moderate living expenses compared to the UK or USA.
- Diverse culture: Every year, over 90,000 international students from around the world come to study in the Netherlands.
- English-taught: Over 2,000 programs are taught entirely in English.
All of these factors make the work of obtaining a Netherlands student visa a worthwhile investment in your career and future.
Step 1: Understand the Netherlands Student Visa
For non-EU/EEA students, including Indians, there are essentially two permits:
- MVV (Provisional Residence Permit) – a long-stay entry visa to the Netherlands
- VVR (Residence Permit) – the actual student residence permit you will obtain when you arrive
Both permits are often applied together through your Dutch university, making the whole Netherlands student visa process easier. In the case of your university / school they correct the visa application form and they will submit it on your behalf.
Step 2: Netherlands Student Visa Requirements
Before applying for a Netherlands student visa, it is important to understand what the requirements are. Here’s what you will need:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least the duration of your studies).
- Official University Admission Letter from a recognized Dutch University.
- Proof of Financial Means – to demonstrate your capacity to support yourself and pay tuition during your studies.
- Health Insurance valid while you are the Netherlands.
- Academic Records – including any transcripts, certificates, and/or qualifications from previous academic study.
- Proof of English Language Skills (IELTS/TOEFL if required).
- A Tuberculosis Test Certificate (for certain nationalities, including Indians).
This is the basic Netherlands student visa checklist, and if you are missing any of these documents, it could result in a delay in your application.
Step 3: Financial Proof – How Much Bank Balance is Required?
One of the most frequently asked questions from students is: what is the required bank balance for Netherlands student visa?
Starting in 2025 the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has given instructions on proving a minimum of €1,250 per month, this does not include tuition fees, for living costs. Therefore for a one year program, you need to evidence approximately €15,000 – €16,000 in your bank balance, in addition to your tuition fees.
If you are an Indian student, ensure your bank statements are recent, stamped, and in English – this financial stability is critically important for your application for approval.
Step 4: Language Requirements – IELTS for Netherlands Student Visa
An additional important question: Is IELTS necessary for Netherlands student visa?
Yes, mostly. As many courses in the Netherlands are conducted in the English language, universities will likely require English proficiency since they will require proof of English proficiency. The general Netherlands student visa IELTS requirements are:
- Bachelor’s Programs: Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (with no band lower than 5.5).
- Master’s programs: Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 -7.0.
Some universities also accept TOEFL or Cambridge English exams, but most of the time, IELTS is the preferred test from a university perspective.
Step 5: Application Timeline and Processing Time
The Netherlands student visa processing time is quite short when compared to other countries. Usually, the decision from IND will take 2–6 weeks after your university has submitted the application.
To avoid delays:
- Apply 3 months prior to your course commencement date.
- Stay on top of updating all documents.
- Confirming your financial proof is the official requirement.
Students that apply for their visa early often have their visa approval go through, increasing the Netherlands student visa success rate.
Step 6: Netherlands Student Visa Fees
When making plans, budget for the cost of Netherlands student visa.
In 2025, the official Netherlands student visa fee will be around €228. This is to be paid to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). You will also need to budget for other costs such as health insurance, a bank certificate fee, and courier fees.
Step 7: Netherlands Student Visa for Indian Students
For Indian applicants, the Netherlands student visa for Indians requires to consider a few more things:
- Tuberculosis (TB) test: required to be done after arrival within 3 months.
- Proof of English proficiency: almost always needs an IELTS/TOEFL.
- Financial documentation: Indian students are more frequently closely scrutinized, to be clear on everything.
A key note when going through the Netherlands Student Visa requirements for India, is that your University in the Netherlands will be working closely with the IND for your application.
Step 8: Age Limit for Netherlands Student Visa
Many students have questions about the Netherlands student visa age restriction. Fortunately, there is no upper age restriction. But, if you are over 30 years old and are applying for a master’s or Ph.D you will likely be asked for compelling reasons for your study choice and your plans to rehabilitate and to work in future.
Step 9: Netherlands Student Visa with Spouse
If you are married, and you want to bring your partner will be a dependent as well, you can apply for a student visa with your spouse in the Netherlands. In this situation:
- Your partner will need to apply for a dependent residence permit.
- You will need to provide additional financial proof to support the living costs of both.
- The minimum will be roughly about €1, 250 per month for you + €1, 250 for your spouse.
This option allows married students a much better chance of being allowed to study in the Netherlands.
Step 10: Netherlands Student Visa Checklist
Here’s a summarized Netherlands student visa checklist for 2025:
- Valid passport.
- University admission letter.
- Proof of sufficient funds.
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- Health insurance coverage.
- IELTS/TOEFL score report.
- Tuberculosis test (if applicable).
- Proof of accommodation in the Netherlands.
- Completed visa application forms.
- Payment of visa fees.
Step 11: Success Rate for Netherlands Student Visa
The Netherlands student visa success rate is considerably high across Europe at an average of 90-95%. The main reason for this is that universities in the Netherlands already pre-screen your application before they submit their applications to the IND, so it minimizes the risk of denial.
To increase your chances of success:
- You provide clear financial proof.
- You have completed documentation.
- You apply early.
- You are honest in your application.
Step 12: Arrival in the Netherlands
Once your visa is granted, you’ll have your MVV sticker in your passport. After arriving in the Netherlands:
- Register at the municipality where you are living.
- Collect your residence permit (VVR).
- Complete TB test (only for Indian students).
With this, you are officially prepared to start your academic career.
Netherlands Student Visa – Costs in Perspective
Here’s a quick overview of the Netherlands student visa costs, and the other costs for Indian students:
- Visa application fee: €228
- Health Insurance: €500–€800 per annum
- Proof of funds: €15,000–€16,000 per annum
- Tuition fees: €8,000–€20,000 per annum
This means that the total financial requirement is likely to be ₹20–30 lakhs per year for Indian students.
Conclusion
The Netherlands student visa process may seem extensive, but it is one of the easiest visa systems in Europe. It has a high success rate, comparative processing times, and the universities support you to ensure a fluid process. Many international students (especially from India) have utilized and benefited from the process.
By preparing all documents, preparing financial proofs, and meeting the student visa requirements for the Netherlands, you are taking steps towards being one of the next international students to study in one of Europe’s top European education hubs.
The Netherlands does not just offer positive experiences academically, it offers you world success.
FAQs
Ques. 1: How much bank balance is required for Netherlands student visa?
Ans. You must show around €1,250 per month, which equals €15,000–€16,000 per year, excluding tuition fees.
Ques. 2: What is the Netherlands student visa processing time?
Ans. The process usually takes 2–6 weeks, but applying early is recommended.
Ques. 3: Is IELTS required for Netherlands student visa?
Ans. Yes, IELTS is required in most cases. The minimum score is 6.0 for bachelor’s and 6.5–7.0 for master’s programs.
Ques. 4: Can I apply for Netherlands student visa with spouse?
Ans. Yes, you can. But you must show additional funds to support your spouse, approximately €1,250 per month for them.
Ques. 5: What is the Netherlands student visa success rate?
Ans. It is very high, usually 90–95%, since Dutch universities handle the application process carefully.
