Arrival and stay
Routes to get to the Netherlands
A broad overview of the most important routes to come to the Netherlands, such as family, work, study, asylum, EU free movement and routes where an MVV or basic foreign exam plays a role.
Routes to get to the Netherlands
Use this page to first understand which main route people take to the Netherlands and which authorities, documents and tests then become important.
- Not everyone comes via the same residence route; family, work, study, asylum and EU free movement work differently.
- IND, Netherlands Worldwide, municipality and DUO do not all play the same role at the same time.
- For some routes, an MVV, residence permit or basic exam abroad are important before integration in the Netherlands begins.
Arrival and stay
Practical guidance for Routes to get to the Netherlands
Use this extra explanation layer to understand the topic independently before you open individual guides or source pages.
01
How to read these route guides smartly
The biggest mistake in this topic is that people try to understand admission, arrival and long stay at the same time. This order keeps those phases apart.
1. Start with your purpose of stay
First ask why you want to come to the Netherlands: family, work, study, asylum, EU family or a temporary arrangement. Without that goal, you quickly compare routes that legally have nothing to do with each other.
2. Then check whether you are still outside the Netherlands
Before departure, IND, Nederland Wereldwijd and sometimes Naar Nederland are more important than later integrations information. Many people read too early about exams or municipal matters while their first question is still about admission.
3. Only then read about arrival and longer term
Municipality, integration, permanent residence and naturalization are usually only relevant after the first route of residence is clear. This prevents you from confusing phases.
02
Which routes often confuse with each other
A lot of uncertainty arises because people only remember the name of a route and not the logic behind it.
Family route
Usually about relationship, documents, income requirements and sometimes MVV or basic civic integration exam abroad.
Work or study
More often about employer, school, recognized sponsor, diploma and purpose of residence than about classic integrations logic.
EU free movement
Must be read separately; the legal basis is different from standard MVV or partner applications.
Temporary route
Has a narrow purpose and does not automatically transition into a long-term or permanent residential route.
03
Important nuance
A residential route and an integrations route are not the same. First it usually concerns admission and residence. Only then can a question arise about the municipality, integration, language or longer residence status.
What routes are there to get to the Netherlands?
A broad overview of the main roads to the Netherlands: family, work, study, asylum, EU free movement and combinations with residence or integration rules.
- The most important routes are family, work, study, asylum and EU free movement.
- The rules for permits, MVV, duration of stay and follow-up steps after arrival differ per route.
- The combination of IND, Netherlands Worldwide and then municipality or integration desks usually provides the clearest path.
Read next
Related guides and next steps
These links move you to the next logical question in your integration journey.
How does coming to the Netherlands work for family or partner?
A practical explanation about family migration, partner route, conditions, documents and the role of MVV, IND and basic foreign exam.
- Family and partner routes usually run via IND and often also via the Netherlands Worldwide.
- In many situations you must first look at MVV, documents and possible exam obligations outside the Netherlands.
- After arrival, residence rules and integration rules can open a new phase.
How does coming to the Netherlands for work or study work?
An overview of routes for knowledge migrants, students, researchers and other people who come to the Netherlands through work or study.
- Work and study routes often run through the IND in combination with an employer, school or recognized sponsor.
- Nuffic, education providers and work-related sources are becoming important faster than traditional integration information.
- After arrival, a separate question may still arise about language, diploma recognition or later integration.
How does coming to the Netherlands via asylum or status holder route work?
A clear explanation of the role of COA, IND, municipality and guidance for people who come to the Netherlands via asylum, reception or status holder processes.
- COA, IND and later the municipality often play a central role here.
- The transition from shelter to housing, guidance and integration often takes place in several phases.
- Practical support and personal status are often more important here than a standard route comparison.
When do you need an MVV or basic exam abroad?
A practical overview of two concepts that often arise before someone comes to the Netherlands: MVV and basic integration exam abroad.
- MVV concerns admission and residence; Basic exam abroad concerns preparation and conditions in certain situations.
- Not every nationality or route of residence has the same obligations.
- IND, Netherlands Worldwide and To the Netherlands are often the most important starting points here.
How does coming to the Netherlands via EU free movement work?
An explanation for people who come to the Netherlands through rights within the EU, EEA or as a family member of someone with free movement.
- EU free movement works differently than standard residence applications via MVV or partner migration.
- The rights of the EU citizen or family member often play a greater role here than a classic admission procedure.
- IND remains important, but the conditions and steps should be read as an EU route.
How do temporary routes such as au pair or orientation year work?
An explanation of temporary or specific routes to the Netherlands, such as au pair, orientation year and other goals that do not fall under standard family or work.
- Temporary routes often have stricter conditions and a more specific purpose of stay.
- You should pay particular attention to the length of stay, permitted activities and what is or is not allowed within that route.
- IND is usually the best starting point here because details vary greatly per route.
What comes after arrival: permanent residence or naturalization?
A follow-up guide for people who want to understand how long-term residence, permanent residence and naturalization relate to each other after arrival.
- Permanent residence and naturalization are not the same and belong to different long-term goals.
- Your original route to the Netherlands can influence which step makes sense later.
- IND remains an important counter for this phase, in addition to personal file information.
Sources
Official and popular sources by topic
Each topic shows where official information lives and which study resources or support channels are commonly used for extra help.
Official starting points for admission and residence
These sources are the most important if you want to know which route of residence suits your situation and what conditions apply for entry.
IND
Residence and permitsThe main source for purposes of residence, permits, MVV, family reunification, work, study, naturalization and exceptions.
Open source pageind.nl/Netherlands Worldwide
Application outside the NetherlandsImportant for visa, embassy matters, basic exam abroad and practical steps if you are still outside the Netherlands.
Open source pagewww.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/National government
Rules and PoliciesProvides background on national rules regarding immigration, residence and family reunification.
Open source pagewww.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/immigratie-naar-nederlandRoute-related organizations
Depending on your route, other organizations are needed for study, work, shelter or participation after arrival.
COA
Asylum and receptionRelevant for people who come to the Netherlands via asylum, reception or status holder programs.
Open source pagewww.coa.nl/UWV / Werk.nl
WorkUseful for information about employment, work orientation and practical connections to participation and work.
Open source pagewww.werk.nl/Nuffic
Study and diplomaUseful for routes through study, diploma recognition and further education.
Open source pagewww.nuffic.nl/After arrival in the Netherlands
After arrival, attention often shifts to the municipality, integration and personal terms.
Inburgeren.nl
IntegrationImportant as soon as you want to know whether and how your residence route is related to integration in the Netherlands.
Open source pagewww.inburgeren.nl/DUO integration
Exams and fileRelevant for exams, personal status and some formal steps after you arrive in the Netherlands.
Open source pagewww.duo.nl/particulier/inburgeren/Municipality
Local startImportant for registration, intake, guidance and route choice under the new law.
Open source pagewww.inburgeren.nl/inburgeren-bij-de-gemeente/Quick answers
Important questions that come up often
Use these short answers as your first orientation, then open the matching guide for more detail.
Is a residence route the same as an integration route?
No. A residence route is about how you come to the Netherlands and under which permit or exception you stay here. An integration route only then concerns learning, participation and obligations in the Netherlands.
Do you need an MVV or exam for every route?
No. That depends on your nationality, purpose of residence and personal situation. Always check the conditions on IND and Netherlands Worldwide.
Which authority is most important if you are still outside the Netherlands?
You often start with IND and the Netherlands Worldwide. Then you only look at integration information if it really applies to your route.
KNM is our active practice offer today, while the information pages already cover the wider integration landscape.