Visa & permits
The rules and procedures that you will have to follow when applying for a residence permit depend on your particular situation. Visas and residence permits are issued in the Netherlands by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
The English language section of the IND's website offers you a comprehensive overview of all the rules and procedures. The Residence Wizard also helps you find out which permits or visa you need to get in your particular situation: www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer. There are also various brochures you can download from the website.
The rules for citizens of countries in the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are sometimes less strict, for example if you are coming here to work or study. There are also different IND rules for ‘highly skilled migrants’ and ‘migrant workers.’ To find out more, go to the IND website: www.ind.nl/en/inbedrijf/wonenenwerken/kennismigranten.asp.
The role of the Municipality of Nijmegen in the process of applying for a residence permit:
- When you arrive in the Netherlands, you must register with the Municipal Administration (GBA). To do this, make an appointment with Burgerzaken, the Civil Affairs department of Nijmegen municipality on tel. 14 024 ( from abroad +31 24 329 90 00 ). Once you have registered you will be given a Declaration Certificate.
- When you have obtained this certificate, you should contact the IND to make an appointment to apply for a residence permit. The nearest IND office is in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
- You will be sent a written confirmation of your appointment and a questionnaire and list of what you must take to the appointment.
- Once you have submitted your application to the IND and it has sent the Declaration Certificate back to the municipality, your GBA registration is confirmed.
If you would like more information on eligibility or residence, or if you have any queries during the processing of your application, call the IND on (0900) 123 45 61 (€ 0.10 per minute) from within the Netherlands. If you are calling from abroad, the number is +31 20 8893045. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The English language section of the IND's website contains a lot of information: www.ind.nl/EN.
