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  1. I am a citizen of an EU country. Do I need a residence permit?

  2. I applied for my residence permit months ago, but I still haven't heard anything. What can I do?

  3. The application form for extending the residence permit is in Dutch and I can't read it...

  4. I am a Phd-student, but they tell me that my status is "worker", not student. Is that true?

  5. I  have a residence card to work for company/university X, but now I am going to work for company/university Y. Do I have to change my residence card?

  6. I have a residence card that needs to be extended, but my reason for stay also changes. Do I need to complete two forms and pay twice?

  7. Can I use my Dutch residence permit/Short stay visa for travelling through all of Europe?

  8. I haven't received my residence permit yet. I am still in the application process. Does this restrict my travelling possibilities?

  9. I have a visa which is marked with the letter D. What extra rights does this give me compared to a normal MVV?

  10. I have a valid work permit and a valid residence permit. Is my partner allowed to work here?

  11. I am trying to call the IND, but I can't get through.

1- I am a citizen of an EU country. Do I need a residence permit?

We strongly advise you to register at IND in Eindhoven. A registration sticker from IND will do in most situations where you need to show evidence of your residency status. However some organizations will ask to see a residence card anyway. This might happen, for example, with the phone company when you want to sign a contract for a telephone line, or with the insurance company when you want to take out health insurance. If you are going to be staying in the Netherlands for a longer period and if you think you will be making use of such services, then it is advisable to get a residence card for an EU citizen anyway.

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2- I applied for my residence permit months ago, but I still haven't heard anything. What can I do?

The application will often take a number of months (unless you apply as a socalled knowledge migrant). According to the regulations, the IND has 6 months to take a decision on an application for a residence permit. But you can always make a phone call to the IND (0900-1234561) to ask what the status is. Do not expect a detailed answer. Very often they cannot give a good indication on how much time it will take before you can collect the residence card.

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3- The application form for extending the residence permit is in Dutch and I can't read it...

Although most IND application forms are available in both English and Dutch, the extension form is not. You can ask your HR services for some assistance.

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4- I am a Phd-student, but they tell me that my status is "worker", not student. Is that true?

Yes, that is true. Scientific research is considered as work under the Dutch law. Someone who is doing his PhD is considered as an employee of the university, not as a student. This is regardless whether or not a contract exists or a salary is being paid.

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5- I have a residence card to work for company/university X, but now I am going to work for company/university Y. Do I have to change my residence card?

If you were a knowledge migrant and if you will still be working as a knowledge migrant in your new job, it's enough to just extend your residence permit (if necessary). Your former employer needs to inform IND that you are no longer their employee and your new employer needs to provide IND with a new letter of appointment.

In other cases you need to change your status. It's best to ask your HR services for some assistance.

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6- I have a residence card that needs to be extended, but my reason for stay also changes. Do I need to complete two forms and pay twice?

No, normally you only need to fill in the application form for changing your status. Please ask your HR services for help.

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7- Can I use my Dutch residence permit/Short stay visa for travelling through all of Europe?

Both of these documents are valid for travelling through all countries which have signed the Schengen agreement. The Schengen countries are:

  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Czech Republic
  4. Denmark
  5. Estonia
  6. Finland
  7. France
  8. Germany
  9. Greece
  10. Hungary
  11. Iceland
  12. Italy
  13. Latvia
  14. Lithuania
  15. Luxemburg
  16. Malta
  17. the Netherlands
  18. Norway
  19. Poland
  20. Portugal
  21. Slovakia
  22. Slovenia
  23. Spain
  24. Sweden
  25. Switzerland.

If you want to travel to a country that is not in this list (e.g. the United Kingdom) you need to check with the authorities of that country whether you will need a visa.

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8- I haven't received my residence permit yet. I am still in the application process. Does this restrict my travelling possibilities?

Yes it might. If you entered the Netherlands on the basis of a D-visa you need to wait for your residence permit before you are able to travel freely in and out of the country. If you are waiting for your residence permit, but you need to travel anyway, then you should get a return visa (costs: € 40) before you leave the Netherlands. You can call the IND (0900-1234561) to check whether you meet the criteria for a return visa and, if you do meet these criteria, to make an appointment to collect it at IND Eindhoven.

If you have a D+C visa you are allowed to leave and enter the Netherlands again as long as the visa is valid. 

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9- I have a visa which is marked with the letter D. What extra rights does this give me compared to a normal MVV?

A visa marked with the letter "D" is a work visa (multiple entry) with a validity of 180 days. On the basis of this visa you are allowed to travel through the Schengen area during 90 days after your arrival. As it is a multiple entry visa you can enter the Netherlands again after each visit abroad.

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10- I have a valid work permit and a valid residence permit. Is my partner allowed to work here?

It depends on the kind of residence permit you have and whether or not your partner's residence permit is dependent on yours. If your residence permit allows you to work, your partner is also allowed to work. And if you need a work permit, your partner needs one too. If you received your work permit under special lenient criteria for scientific staff, your partner's work permit will be granted under the same conditions.
However, if your partner has a residence permit in his/her own right, the conditions of his/her own permit apply and not yours.

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11- I am trying to call the IND, but I can't get through.

The telephone number of the IND is 0900-1234561 (€ 0,10 per minute) when calling from the Netherlands. When calling from outside the Netherlands you should dial +31-20-889 3045 (normal international charges will apply). The phone line is availabel Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Sometimes there are many people calling at the same time, so you may have difficulty getting through. In that case, there is no other solution than to try calling again later.

Of course you can also visit IND's website: ind.nl

 

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