Handbook for non-EU students
Hello, here are the resources and tips compiled for non-EU students, since the different rules and regulations apply.
Please feel free to revise, contribute and use the Discussion tab of this page.
_________ Citizen Service Number [BSN]
_________ Search Year
Within 3 years after your graduation, you are entitled to apply for a Search Year [aka Orientation Year / Zoekjaar] visa, which means you can stay and work in the Netherlands for a year without TWV [work permit]
Residence Gap
In case you are planning to apply for a Permanent Residence permit [you can do this after living 5 years in the Netherlands], it's more convenient to apply for a Search Year permit before you are officially deregistered from your study course [September 1st]. Otherwise, you get a 'residence gap', meaning, your previous residence period is disregarded and a 5-year count starts from 0.
_________ Work
_________ Staying outside NL
You can stay in any other Schengen member country for 90 days in every 180 days
You may stay outside the Netherlands for up to 6 months in a row or 4 months in a row for 3 consecutive years and maintain the Netherlands as a main residence.
- › Broader information on having the Netherlands as a main residence while traveling/staying abroad.
_________ Funding