Application procedure
18 Nov 2011
The ‘search period’ runs twelve months from your graduation date. This means that you must submit your application immediately upon graduation.
How and where to apply
You must submit your application documents to the Dutch immigration authorities (Immigratie- en Naturalisatie Dienst or IND) in person to the nearest IND Desk. Please call the IND at 0900-1234561 to schedule an appointment. The IND charges a €600 fee for this procedure.
The application form ‘Application for a residence permit without MVV or change to purpose of stay’ can be downloaded from the IND website. Under item 6 ‘purpose of stay in the Netherlands’ you should tick the box ‘to seek employment after completion of your studies as a highly skilled migrant or to start an innovative company and to make use of the job-seeking year'.
Documents to submit
You must always include documents to confirm your university graduation. If your diploma has already been issued, you need to include a copy of the diploma. If you have already completed all requirements for graduation, but the date of the graduation ceremony is yet to come, you may also apply. In that case, you must include a statement issued by your university confirming:
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your graduation date;
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your programme of study;
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the date of the graduation ceremony.
Within two weeks of receiving your diploma, you must still send a copy to the IND to complete your file.
Your application does not need to be accompanied by proof of financial means.
