Costs of MVV are still high in Holland

The Advisory Committee on Immigration Affaires (ACVZ) has concluded that the Dutch student visa is one of the most expensive in Europe. In addition, it appears that the administrative costs involved are a major source of irritation to the international “knowledge migrant”.

A comparative study by the ACVZ into the level of migration costs has revealed that only Britain charges a higher price for a visa. For example, visas cost less in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and France.

A student from outside the European Union pays €250 for his/her MVV (Provisional Residence Permit) and another €188 on top for the residence permit. "All together that’s €438," calculates Sander Vergeer. “In Sweden they have just one standard fee. Everybody there pays €107.” Vergeer is a policy officer at ACVZ and believes the differences are glaring. "It is even worse if we compare the Dutch fees to those in Switzerland or Belgium,” he says. “Belgium tops it all. A student from outside the EU pays €90 for a visa and €10 for their residence permit.”

Foreign students also face large hurdles if they need to make changes to their residence permit. “Students frequently experience changes in their personal situation. Moving to another institution for example or changing their field of study costs the student €433,” Vergeer explains. “That’s a lot of money. In Belgium, the same change costs €10."

“But the biggest obstacle is the procedural burden,” says Vergeer. “The Netherlands uses the same procedure for an entry visa as for a residence permit. So, two sets of the same requirements, two sets of the same questions and two sets of legal costs." Knowledge migrants in paid work and foreign PhD students also experience a lot of problems, especially when applying for family reunification visas.The Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) fully endorses the ACVZ conclusions and, in response, points out that some students do not come to the Netherlands due to high legal costs.

Nuffic