What Is the Dutch TEV Procedure?

If you’re moving to the Netherlands for work, study, or family reasons, you may hear about the TEV procedure. This is a combined immigration process that handles both your entry visa and your residence permit in one application.

TEV stands for Toegang en Verblijf — meaning Entry and Residence.

What Does the TEV Procedure Include?

The TEV procedure combines:

1. MVV (long-stay entry visa) – if required
2. Residence permit approval – for living in the Netherlands

Instead of applying separately, both are processed together.

This makes the process more efficient for non-EU nationals who plan to stay longer than 90 days.

Who Needs the TEV Procedure?

You typically use the TEV procedure if:

• You are a non-EU/EEA national
• You plan to stay in the Netherlands longer than 90 days
• You need an MVV to enter the country

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not need this procedure.

Some nationalities are exempt from the MVV requirement but still go through the residence permit part of the process.

How Does the TEV Procedure Work?

Here’s how it usually works step-by-step:

1. Application Submission

Your sponsor submits the application to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

A sponsor can be:

• Your employer (for highly skilled migrants)
• A university (for students)
• Your partner or spouse (for family reunification)

2. IND Review

The IND assesses whether you meet the requirements for:

• Entry (MVV)
• Residence permit approval

3. MVV Collection (If Required)

If approved, you collect your MVV at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

The MVV is placed as a sticker in your passport and allows you to enter the Netherlands.

4. Travel to the Netherlands

You travel using the MVV.

5. Collect Residence Permit

After arrival, you collect your residence permit card from the IND office in the Netherlands.

How Long Does the TEV Procedure Take?

Processing times vary, but:

• The IND aims to make a decision within 90 days
• Recognized sponsors (such as large employers) often experience faster processing

Planning ahead is important, especially if your job or study program has a fixed start date.

What Are Common TEV Categories?

The TEV procedure is used for:

• Highly skilled migrants
• Intra-company transfers
• University students
• Researchers
• Family reunification
• Self-employed professionals (in certain cases)

Each category has specific income thresholds, documentation requirements, and sponsorship rules.

What Documents Are Usually Required?

While requirements vary, you may need:

• Valid passport
• Employment contract or university admission letter
• Proof of income (if applicable)
• Birth or marriage certificates (for family applications)
• Health insurance arrangements

Your sponsor typically guides you through this.

Why the TEV Procedure Matters for Expats

Understanding the TEV process helps you:

• Plan relocation timing
• Avoid travel before approval
• Prepare documents early
• Arrange housing aligned with arrival dates

Because you may need to wait for approval before entering the Netherlands, flexibility during your first months is often helpful.

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