General information on visa and licences

Abbreviations are used because the official terms are often too long.

The most common abbreviations for licences are:
VKV (Visum Kort Verblijf) = Short Stay Visa
MVV (Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf) = Temporary Stay Authorisation
TWV (Tewerkstellingsvergunning) = Work Permit
VVR (Verblijfsvergunning Regulier) = Residence Permit

What is a VKV?

The Short Stay Visum (VKV) can be applied for, for a maximum period of 3 months. The VKV is also referred to as Visa (Visum), Tourist Visa (Toeristenvisum) or Schengen Visa (Schengenvisum). The VKV is to be applied for by the Dutch embassy or the Dutch consulate in the country of origin. The VKV is a sticker and is sticked to the applicant’s passport by the embassy or consulate.

What is an MVV?

A Temporary Stay Authorisation (MVV) is a travelling visa for people with a certain nationality (from outside the European Union) who wish to stay in the Netherlands longer than three months. Companies and educational institutions that make more than 10 MVV applications per year for foreign employees and students may use the Temporary Stay Authorisation (Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf, abbreviated: MVV).

What is a VVR?

As soon as the person involved has travelled into the Netherlands using an MVV, he is to apply for a Residence Permit (VVR). The VVR is to be renewed periodically.

What is a TWV?

If the UT wishes to appoint a foreign employee, the UT as an employer is in some cases to apply for a permit. This is called a Work Permit (TWV). A TWV is a permit the employer needs to have in order to have certain foreign employees perform work. 'Work' is a broad concept in this context: work placements, practicals, PhD research, and such are also considered as work in Dutch law. The Centre for Work and Income (CWI) grants the permit. The UT will receive the permit for the person involved only if nobody else within the Netherlands and the EU (with the exception of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) is available for the job.

The abbreviations of the relevant bodies are:
GBA (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie) = Municipal Personal Records Database
CWI (Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen) = Centre for Work and Income
IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) = Immigration and Naturalisation Service
GGD (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst) = Municipal Medical and Health Service

General starting points for all international staff (doctoral students, researchers, lecturers, support and administrative staff (OBP) to be employed in Enschede; they should:

Any questions or comments?
If you have any questions or comments about the substance of this site after reading all the information, you can contact the Office for Foreign Employee.