Study in the Netherlands from Nepal and India

Netherlands student visa at a glance

Visa fee

NPR 43,155

EUR 254

Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

NPR 23.1 lakh

EUR 13,569.24

Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work in term

16 hrs/wk

Work during study

Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

1 yr

Orientation year (zoekjaar)

Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in the Netherlands you apply for the Student residence permit for university or higher professional education (MVV entry visa + residence permit). The main visa fee is EUR 254 (about NPR 43,155). You must also show EUR 1,130.77 per month: money that stays yours. You can work up to 16 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 12 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Netherlands student visa?

Who applies

Only your institution, which must be an IND recognised sponsor, can apply; it applies for the MVV and the residence permit together. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

MVV entry visa

Indian and Nepali nationals need an MVV; only a short list of nationalities (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea) is exempt. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Proof of funds

12 × the study norm in a freely withdrawable account, an institution deposit, a scholarship or a sponsor; statements must be no older than 3 months. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

TB test

India and Nepal are not on the TB-test exemption list, so you must book a TB test with the GGD within 3 months of receiving your permit. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing time

The IND must decide within 60 days; this can be extended, e.g. if the file is incomplete. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Permit validity

Up to 5 years — the length of your studies plus 3 months — as long as you earn at least 50% of the credits each study year. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Collecting the MVV in IndiaIndia

Book online at the Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulates-General in Mumbai or Bengaluru within 3 months of the IND decision; the sticker can take up to 10 working days. Source: netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?

Work during study

As an employee, choose either up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June, July and August; your employer needs a work permit (TWV). Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Self-employment and internships

Self-employed work needs no TWV but requires Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration; an internship that is part of your programme needs no TWV. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Orientation year (zoekjaar)

A 1-year permit to look for work, if you completed an accredited Dutch bachelor's or master's in the 3 years before applying; you may work freely without a TWV. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in the Netherlands?

Compare universities across countries

What do international students study in the Netherlands?

The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics. No official breakdown for Nepali or Indian students is published, so these figures cover international students.

What has changed recently?

1. 1 Jan 2026

   2026 study norm set at €1,130.77 a month (university/hbo), valid to 31 December 2026; IND fee €254. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 30 May 2025

   New TB-test exemption list took effect; India and Nepal are still not exempt. Source: ind.nl (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• Health-insurance rules for students (the IND study page does not state them).
• Rules for family members, including whether they may work.
• VFS service charges for the MVV appointment in India.
• Orientation-year details for graduates of top-ranked foreign universities (extra language and Nuffic evaluation rules).

Official sources for Netherlands

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1IND – Study permits overviewimmigration_authority · Permit types for students
2. 2IND – Student residence permit (university/hbo)student_visa · Sponsor route, €254, 60-day decision, 16 h/week, validity, TB
3. 3IND – Fees: costs of an applicationfees · Study €254; orientation year €254 (fees change 1 Jan)
4. 4IND – Required amounts income requirementsfunds · Study norm €1,130.77/month, valid 1 Jan–31 Dec 2026
5. 5IND – Income requirements studyfunds · 12 × study norm; accepted forms of proof
6. 6IND – Provisional residence permit (MVV)entry_visa · MVV exemption list
7. 7IND – TB test exemption list (form 7644)health · India/Nepal not exempt; valid from 30 May 2025
8. 8IND – Residence permit for orientation yearpost_study · 1 year, within 3 years of graduation, work freely
9. 9IND – International students and the INDwork · 16 h/week or summer, UWV work permit
10. 10NetherlandsWorldwide – Apply for MVV in Indiaembassy_india · New Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru, 3-month window, 10 working days
11. 11NetherlandsWorldwide – Apply for MVV from Nepalembassy_nepal · No MVV in Nepal; post in India named in IND letter
12. 12NetherlandsWorldwide – Legalisation Nepallegalisation · Nepal MoFA legalisation
13. 13NetherlandsWorldwide – Legalisation Indialegalisation · MEA apostille
14. 14Embassy of the Netherlands New Delhi – Consular affairsembassy_india · Embassy consular contact
15. 15Study in NL (Nuffic) – Tuition feesnational_portal · Non-EU averages €9k–20k / €12k–30k
16. 16Study in NL (Nuffic) – Cost of livingnational_portal · €1,000–1,500/month (Nibud 2024)