Civic Integration Abroad Obligatory

note: EU + Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada are exempt from the language test.

Non-EU/EER/ Swiss

All non-EU/EER and Swiss nationals require a residence permit, and may also need an MVV (see below) to enter the Netherlands to stay for more than three months. Once registered with the GBA, you make an appointment with the IND to apply for a residence permit.

MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf)
This is an authorisation for temporary stay that applies to migrants intending to stay longer than three months (90 days) that can only be applied for outside the Netherlands. An examination covering Dutch language and culture (Civic Integration Abroad EUR 350) is part of the procedure for some nationals. See www.naarnederland.nl for more details of the test. MVV costs vary according to the purpose of your stay. It's a sticker (valid for six months) placed in your passport.

Who doesn't need an MVV?
When applying for a residence permit, there is no MVV requirement for nationals of Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Vatican City.

Independent permits
After three years in the Netherlands, a non-EU national who has a residence permit based on a relationship (a Dutch partner for example), can apply for a permit in their own right (Residence Permit for Continued Residence.

Costs (Feb 2008 see IND website for full list)
Stay with/join a family EUR 830
Additional family members EUR 188
Temporary residence (MVV) EUR 250
Temporary residence (no MVV) EUR 433
Highly skilled migrant (no MVV) EUR 331
Extension EUR 188
Continued Residence EUR 331
Permanent Residence EUR 201

Civic Integration Act
The inburgering (civic integration) legislation obliges those who seek permanent residency in the Netherlands to speak the language and know something of the culture. The main exemption is EU citizens and their partners (there are a few others) .After September 2008, passing the exam (short and long versions) unless exempt, will be a requirement of those applying for permanent residency. Knowledge migrants and those in the the Netherlands for work are exempt while on temporary permits. For more details see www.hoemoetikinburgeren.nl and www.handreikinginburgeringgemeenten.nl/index