Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions

Geplaatst op Friday March 27th, 2020

Update 25 March 2020 Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions

​The Dutch government has taken measures against the coronavirus. On this page you can find the latest information about the consequences for your stay in the Netherlands.

IND desks

The IND desks are only open for urgent matters up to and including 6 april. What are urgent matters?

You can only make an appointment at an IND desk to collect your first regular residence document. The condition for this is that you have travelled to the Netherlands with a Provisional Residence Permit (mvv). And that you need a residence document for example to apply for health insurance, or to register in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at your town hall (gemeente).

Does this apply to you? Make an appointment to visit an IND desk by calling the IND’s information line. You cannot make this appointment online.

Are there any other matters for which you can go to an IND desk?

The IND only makes an exception if you can help control the virus. Or if you are medical staff. Does this apply to you? Please call the IND’s information line.

Access to the Netherlands

I live or stay outside Europe. Can I still travel to the Netherlands?

Since Thursday 19 March 2020, European borders have been closed to people from countries outside Europe. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. The travel restriction does not apply to everyone. For more information, visit Government.nl (opens in a new window).

Short stay (visa or permit-exempt term)

I am staying in the Netherlands with a short-stay visa which has expired or will expire soon. I cannot leave. Can I apply for an extension?

You can apply for an extension of your short-stay visa if you cannot return to your country of origin. The following situation must apply to you:

• Your visa expires within 1 month; and
• The airline has cancelled your flight and you cannot book another flight; and
• You still meet the conditions for a short-stay visa .

Would you like to apply for a visa extension? Please call the IND’s information line. Keep your visa number to hand.

Is the IND going to renew your visa? Then you will not immediately have a visa sticker placed in your passport. You will receive a letter confirmation. This visa extension is only valid within the Netherlands. You cannot travel to other Schengen countries. An application for exending your visa is free.

I am staying in the Netherlands without a visa (I do not need a visa), but my permit-exempt term is over or will expire soon. Do I have to leave the Netherlands?

You cannot apply for an extension of a permit-exempt term. This is the period of 90 days out of 180 days that you may stay in the Netherlands (and the Schengen area). Is your permit-exempt term about to expire and you cannot leave? You do not need to report this to the IND. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. The government will therefore be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than is allowed. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the Netherlands.

I have a short-stay visa (or do not need a visa) and would like to travel to the Netherlands. Is this possible?

Since Thursday 19 March 2020, European borders have been closed to people from countries outside Europe. Europe means: EU countries, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. Do you have a short-stay visa, or you do not need a visa, and are you not yet in Europe? Then you cannot travel to the Netherlands. An exception is only made for people performing a vital function who need to be in the Netherlands. For example, health care personnel, or humanitarian workers. For more information, visit Government.nl (opens in a new window).

I am visiting the Netherlands on a short stay visa from another Schengen country. Can I apply for an extension of my visa here?

You can apply for a visa extension from the IND. Please call the IND’s information line.

Mvv (provisional residence permit)

I would like to apply for an mvv for myself or someone else. It this possible?

You can request an mvv. The IND is continuing to handle applications.

Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing mvvs?

No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not issue mvvs until at least 6 April 2020. The IND will still approve your application if you meet all the conditions. From that date, you then have 3 months to collect your mvv. You can only collect your mvv after 6 April 2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will only issue an mvv before that date in urgent cases.

When is a case urgent?

Your case may only be urgent if you would like to come to the Netherlands as an employee, highly skilled worker or researcher. A case is only urgent if it meets the following three criteria:

• You can prove that you can travel to the Netherlands at this time. This means that there are no physical restrictions and that the borders are open. Flights are departing from your country to the Netherlands.
• Your work or research is or comes under the essential professions or vital processes during the COVID-19 outbreak. (opens in new window)
• You need to explain why your case is urgent. And you have to prove that this urgency relates to the essential professions and vital processes.

If you meet all three criteria, ask your employer to contact the IND. The IND will then determine whether the case is indeed urgent.

I have to pick up my mvv, but the embassy or consulate is not issuing mvvs. What should I do?

You have 3 months to collect the mvv. What if it is not possible to collect your mvv within these 3 months? Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will extend this deadline by 3 months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ contact centre is available 24/7. In the Netherlands please call 0247 247 247. From abroad you can call +31 247 247 247.

I have already collected my mvv. I cannot travel to the Netherlands (for example, because there are no flights). And my mvv is almost no longer valid. What should I do?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will reissue the mvv. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ contact centre is available 24/7. In the Netherlands please call 0247 247 247. From abroad you can call +31 247 247 247.

Residence permit (not asylum)

I would like to collect my residence document from an IND desk. Is this possible?

You can only make an appointment at IND desk if you are collecting a residence document for the first time. The condition is that you have travelled to the Netherlands with a Provisional Residence Permit (mvv). And that you need the residence document to apply for health insurance, for example. Or to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) at your town hall (gemeente).

To make an appointment, please call the IND’s information line. You cannot make the appointment online.

The residence document I have now is no longer valid. Does this affect my stay in the Netherlands?

The rights granted by the residence document that you now have remain valid. This means that you will also have the right to stay in the Netherlands without a new residence document.

I no longer have the right to stay in the Netherlands. But I cannot travel back to my country. Is this a problem?

Request an extension of your residence document if this is possible. What if an extension is not possible? Then you have to leave the Netherlands. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. The government will therefore be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than is allowed. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires. Do you need help to return home? Please contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the Netherlands