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For passport holders from

Afghanistan Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Kazakhstan Nigeria Swaziland

Albania Congo, Republic of the Kenya North Korea Syria

Algeria Costa Rica Kiribati Oman Taiwan

Andorra Côte d'Ivoire Kosovo Pakistan Tajikistan

Angola Cuba Kuwait Palau Tanzania

Antigua and Barbuda Djibouti Kyrgyzstan Palestinian Territories Thailand

Argentina Dominica Laos Panama Timor-Leste

Armenia Dominican Republic Lebanon Papua New Guinea Togo

Azerbaijan Ecuador Lesotho Paraguay Tonga

Bahamas Egypt Liberia Peru Trinidad and Tobago

Bahrain El Salvador Libya Philippines Tunisia

Bangladesh Equatorial Guinea Macedonia, The former Yugoslav Republic of

Qatar Turkey

Barbados Eritrea Madagaskar Russia Turkmenistan

Belarus Ethiopia Malawi Rwanda Tuvalu

Belize Fiji Malaysia Saint Kitts and Nevis Uganda

Benin Gabon Maldives Saint Lucia Ukraine

Bhutan Gambia, The Mali Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

United Arab Emirates

Bolivia Georgia Marshall Islands Samoa Uruguay

Bosnia and Herzegovina Ghana Mauritania San Marino Uzbekistan

Botswana Grenada Mauritius São Tomé and Príncipe Vanuatu

Brazil Guatemala Mexico Saudi Arabia Venezuela

Brunei Guinea Micronesia Senegal Vietnam

Burkina Faso Guinea-Bissau Moldova Serbia Western Sahara

Burundi Guyana Mongolia Seychelles Yemen

Cambodia Haiti Montenegro Sierra Leone Zambia

Cameroon Honduras Morocco Singapore Zimbabwe

Cape Verde India Mozambique Solomon Islands

Central African Republic Indonesia Myanmar/ Burma Somalia

Chad Iran Namibia South Africa

Chile Iraq Nauru South Sudan

China Israel Nepal Sri Lanka

Colombia Jamaica Nicaragua Sudan

Comoros Jordan Niger Suriname

Immigration Procedure

For passport holders from

v

www.tilburguniversity.edu/immigration

2020-2021

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CONTENTS 1. THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE ................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Contact details ................................................................................................................................ 3

2. YOUR IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE ..................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Combined entry visa (MVV) and residence permit application (TEV) ............................................ 4

2.2 Immigration fee .............................................................................................................................. 4

2.3 Required documents ...................................................................................................................... 5

2.4 Entry visa (MVV) ............................................................................................................................. 7

2.4.1 Validity of your MVV .............................................................................................................. 7

2.4.2 Travel arrangements .............................................................................................................. 8

2.4.3 Exemption from the obligation to apply for a MVV ............................................................... 8

2.5 Residence permit ............................................................................................................................ 8

2.5.1 Validity of your residence permit ........................................................................................... 9

2.6 Immigration requirements after arrival in the Netherlands .......................................................... 9

2.6.1 TB Screening (if applicable) .................................................................................................... 9

2.6.2 Registration with municipality of residence ........................................................................... 9

2.6.2.1 Required documents ...................................................................................................... 9

2.6.2.2 Deregistration with municipality of residence ............................................................. 10

3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 11

3.1 Arrival in Tilburg ........................................................................................................................... 11

3.2 Insurance ...................................................................................................................................... 11

3.2.1 Health insurance .................................................................................................................. 11

3.2.2 Personal liability insurance .................................................................................................. 11

3.2.3 Other insurance .................................................................................................................... 11

3.3 Travelling after arrival in the Netherlands ................................................................................... 11

3.4 Study progress (NOT applicable to exchange students) ............................................................... 12

3.4.1 Nominal duration of study ................................................................................................... 12

3.4.2 Requirement for Pre-Master/ Pre-Bachelor programs ........................................................ 12

3.4.3 Study Progress Monitoring ................................................................................................... 12

4. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Q&A) ...................................................................................... 13

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1. THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE

1.1 Introduction

The Immigration Office takes care of the Dutch immigration process of students having been accepted to Tilburg University. Therefore, please allow us to introduce ourselves: Ms. Ellis Renders – Immigration Coordinator Working days: Monday to Friday

Ms. Kristel Weijters – Immigration Coordinator Working days: Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Friday

Mr. Erik Geers – Immigration Coordinator Working days: Monday-Tuesday - Wednesday-Friday

Ms. Cathelijn Peeters – Immigration Officer Working days: Monday to Thursday

1.2 Contact details

E-mail : immigration@tilburguniversity.edu Website : www.tilburguniversity.edu/immigration Walk-in hours : Every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm & Thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm Location : Academia building, Student Desk, 3rd floor Please note: all procedures and dates given in this Study guide are correct as of April 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the procedures and dates may change. Tilburg University will update students as soon as possible, if global/national regulations require changes to the procedures and dates given. All costs made by admitted applicants with respect to their studies in the Netherlands are at own risk. Tilburg University cannot be held responsible if costs are made and, due to both national and international regulations regarding COVID-19, the start of your studies is either cancelled or delayed.

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2. YOUR IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE

2.1 Combined entry visa (MVV) and residence permit application (TEV)

Main Actor

Immigration Office of Tilburg University

Student

Dutch Authorities

Student's file will be automatically forwarded to

Immigration Office (IO)

IO reviews information and contacts student with request for payment immigration fee

Student pays immigration fee within 7 days

Student automatically receives immigration

process overview (includingrequired documents)

Student gathers all relevant documentation and uploads

to MySAS within 7 days

IO reviews documentation within 7 working days. If all documentation is correct then IO submits student's application to Dutch Immigration

Service (IND)

Within 2-4 weeks IND approves application and sends approval (entry visa, MVV) to IO and Dutch representation in student's country of main residence or to the closest Dutch representation indicated on this website: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa-mvv

Upon receipt of approval IO contacts student with further information and

instructions on the MVV application at Dutch representation

Student submits MVV application at the Dutch

representation in student's country of main residence or

closest representation

Dutch representation issues MVV within approximately 2-3 business days (can take up to 2

weeks)

Student brings original Antedent Certificate to Tilburg

University

Student enters the Netherlands with an MVV

IO contacts student with further information in respect to the obtainment of the Dutch

residence permit card. In addition about the local municipality registration and

Tuberculosis screening (if applicable)

Please Note: Process and timings can vary depending

on the circumstances of each case and authorities involved.

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2.2 Immigration fee

Tilburg University does not charge students for the assistance they receive from the Immigration Office. However, the IND does charge a fee for the processing of each application. After the Immigration Office received your student file you will receive an email requesting you to pay the immigration fee1 of 174 EURO (2020 amount) through a digital payment system. You then need to pay the immigration fee within 7 days of receiving the request. You can only pay with a credit card or a Dutch bankcard. It is not required for the card to be in your name. Please note that the Immigration Office does not start your immigration process without receiving the payment of the immigration fee first. In case you pay the fee later than requested, the Immigration Office cannot guarantee that your immigration process will be completed in time.

2.3 Required documents

General Please do not send any of the documents mentioned below to the Immigration Office before being asked to do so. Passport Your passport needs to be valid for at least one academic year and needs to have at least two (2) blank pages. When submitting your application with the IND we will need to include a copy of your passport bio-page (i.e. the page(s) with your personal details) and all pages with stickers and/or stamps. Blank pages are therefore not required. Declaration Study Progress Monitoring, Antecedents Certificate and, if applicable, Declaration of Intent TB screening The Immigration Office will provide these documents to you. You will then need to complete and sign them. Financial Proof Living Expenses You will have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies at Tilburg University. The required amount to live in the Netherlands is set at € 900 per month. For a stay of a full academic year, you will need to demonstrate sufficient funds of at least € 10,800. This amount only serves as proof of the costs of living in the Netherlands (i.e. rent, grocery shopping, etc.). AND Study costs (NOT applicable to exchange students) In addition to the living expenses (€ 10,800), you will have to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your study costs. For the exact amount you will need to demonstrate, we refer to the “Acceptance of Offer” letter you received from your Admissions Officer. The indicative amount mentioned in this letter will be used for your immigration process.

1 plus the transaction fee, if applicable

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Financial means required for your stay in the Netherlands:

Semester Period Living Expenses

Study costs

For a stay of autumn semester (exchange)

1 September until 31 January

€ 4,500 n/a

For a stay of spring semester (exchange)

1 February until 31 August

€ 6,300 n/a

For a stay of full academic year

1 September until 31 August OR 1 February until 31 January

€ 10,800 Exchange: n/a

ALL STUDENTS EXCEPT FROM CHINA, TAIWAN AND HONG KONG: OPTION 1 transferring the required amount to the Tilburg University bank account. This amount will

be transferred back to you (minus the transaction fees, if applicable) after you have arrived at Tilburg University and opened a Dutch bank account. Please note that it can take up to 2 weeks to transfer the amount back to you. Please keep in mind that, in case you also transferred your study costs to account of the International Office, this amount will be reimbursed to you as well. This means you have to take care of your tuition fee to be paid/payment preferences to be processed in Studielink on time!

OPTION 2 supporting yourself (including student loan). OPTION 3 being supported by a third party abroad, such as a parent or a company. OPTION 4 receiving a student grant/ scholarship. NOTE: It is also possible to combine these options in order to prove the total amount. Depending on your particular situation we may request you to choose option 1 in order to avoid delays and in order for you to be able to travel to the Netherlands in time. ALTERNATIVE OPTION It is also possible to be supported by a sponsor living in the Netherlands. However, the documents required are greater in both number and complexity. In addition, the total amount that needs to be proven is higher than the amount mentioned above. If you are considering this option, please contact the Immigration Office for individual advice. STUDENTS FROM CHINA, TAIWAN AND HONG KONG: OPTION 1 transferring the required amount to the Tilburg University bank account. This amount will

be transferred back to you (minus the transaction fees, if applicable) after you have arrived at Tilburg University and opened a Dutch bank account. Please note that it can take up to 2 weeks to transfer the amount back to you. Please keep in mind that your study costs will be reimbursed to you as well. This means you have to take care of your tuition fee to be paid/payment preferences to be processed in Studielink on time!

OPTION 2 receiving a student grant/ scholarship. NOTE: It is also possible to combine these options in order to prove the total amount.

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Nuffic Certificate All Chinese nationals (except students from Taiwan and Hong Kong) applying for admission to Dutch higher educational institutions are required to have a Nuffic Certificate BEFORE their application can be sent to the IND. In case applicable, the Nuffic will assess your English language proficiency and the validity of diplomas and degrees. Once the assessment has been completed, the Nuffic issues a certificate thereof. You are required to apply for the certificate yourself. However, once issued, the certificate will become available to the Immigration Office of Tilburg University. The process can take up to two months or even more depending on the workload of the Nuffic. Particularly in summer, the Nuffic receives a large amount of requests. We would therefore advise you to apply for the certificate as soon as possible. To start the application process you need to create an account via https://ncas.nuffic.nl/. Documents also need to be submitted via this online application system. If you have any questions about your Nuffic Certificate, please contact the Nuffic directly: Telephone: +31 (0) 70 4260 260 (please remember the time difference; China is approximately seven hours ahead

of the Netherlands)

Email: certificate@epnuffic.nl Website: www.nuffic.nl/nuffic-certificate IMPORTANT NOTE: please note that this Nuffic Certificate is required for all students with Chinese nationality, irrespective of where they live. If in doubt whether you are required to apply for a Nuffic Certificate, please contact your Admissions Officer.

2.4 Entry visa (MVV)

Once the IND has approved your application you will need to apply for your MVV (i.e. entry visa for long stay purposes, Schengen visa type D) at the Dutch diplomatic post in your country of legal residence. You will not have to provide additional documentation for this visa except for a completed and signed MVV application form and passport pictures. Chinese nationals also need to demonstrate their original ‘Hukou’. For more details, students need to contact the Dutch diplomatic post. Please also check with the Dutch diplomatic post how long your application for a MVV will take. The MVV is a sticker that is attached to your passport.

2.4.1 Validity of your MVV

Your visa will be valid for three months from the date of intended travel and cannot be extended. Since the application for a residence permit is sent at the same time as the application for the entry visa, you should be in the possession of the residence permit before your entry visa expires.

Example of an MVV

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2.4.2 Travel arrangements

We would strongly recommend that you do not book your travel to the Netherlands until you have received your entry visa. The Immigration Office of Tilburg University cannot guarantee the processing time of your application at the IND or the diplomatic post and therefore cannot guarantee the date by which your visa will be issued and you will be able to travel. The Immigration Office of Tilburg University cannot be held responsible for the consequences of booking your travel before having received your entry visa.

2.4.3 Exemption from the obligation to apply for an MVV

Since 1 October 2015, people with a residence permit issued by one of the Schengen countries2, MAY be exempted from the MVV requirement. This will need to be verified on a case by case basis and for verification we require a copy of the residence permit (front and back) concerned.

In principle, you will not need an entry visa (MVV) in case:

You currently have a permanent residence permit as a 'long-term resident EC-CE' issued by another EU member state; or

You have a valid residence permit issued by another Schengen country. This residence permit must be valid until the start date of your program at Tilburg University

2.5 Residence permit

Once the process described in the flowchart above has been completed, you will receive your Dutch residence permit card. This card replaces your MVV and allows you to reside in the Netherlands. It also allows you to travel to other Schengen countries and to re-enter the Netherlands. Example of a Dutch residence permit card:

In order to collect the card you will need to show your original passport. When collecting your card, it is important that you check whether the information on the card is correct. We strongly advise you to make a photo or scan of your residence permit card (front and back) and send it to your personal email address should you ever need it.

2 Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,

Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland

Front

Back

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2.5.1 Validity of your residence permit

Your residence permit will be valid for the duration of your study program plus 3 months. In case you are not able to finish your study program before the end date of your residence permit card you may need to extend it. The Immigration Office will contact you in this respect at the appropriate time.

2.6 Immigration requirements after arrival in the Netherlands

2.6.1 TB Screening (if applicable)

One of the final requirements of your Dutch immigration process is a tuberculosis screening.3 The screening is carried out by the Dutch Public Health Authority (known as the GGD) and will be done on campus. The screening consists of a chest X-ray. The costs thereof are 50 EURO (2020 amount) which you are required to pay directly to the GGD in cash. The Immigration Office will provide further information in respect to the date and location of the screening at the appropriate time.

2.6.2 Registration with municipality of residence

Registration is mandatory for:

Degree-seeking students;

Exchange students who will be enrolled for more than one semester at Tilburg University;

Students who will be studying at Tilburg University for only one semester, but who wish to work during their time here;

Students who need to open a Dutch bank account;

Students who are going to be accompanied by their spouse irrespective of their length of study at Tilburg University.

If you will be living in Tilburg, the Immigration Office will arrange timeslots in which you can schedule your appointment. More information will be provided at the appropriate time. Within approximately 4-6 weeks after your registration, you will receive confirmation thereof via regular mail (i.e. at your Dutch home address). Please then check whether the information is correct. The document will also contain your Dutch social security number (in Dutch: BurgerServiceNummer, BSN) on it. The BSN will be used e.g.:

if you have a (part- time) job;

when dealing with e.g. banks, insurance companies, police etc. based in the Netherlands;

2.6.2.1 Required documents

Generally, the following documents are required for registration with your municipality of residence:

Passport and a copy thereof;

Signed rental agreement, confirming your address in the Netherlands and a copy thereof;

Proof of legal residence (can be obtained from the Immigration Office in case required);

Translated (into Dutch, English, French or German in case not issued in one of these languages) and legalized ‘long form’ (i.e. mentioning the names of the parents) birth certificate not older than 6 months. In case you will be living in the municipality of Tilburg AND you register during the time slots reserved by Tilburg University’s Immigration Office, you are in principle NOT required to submit a birth certificate. Special arrangements between the municipality and the Immigration Office have been made in this respect. Should you register outside the reserved time slots then you may be required to submit your legalized and translated birth certificate. The municipality will then inform you accordingly.

3 Please click here for a list of TB-screening exempted countries.

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After local registration, you need to update your contact details in Studielink (if applicable).

2.6.2.2 Deregistration with municipality of residence

When leaving the Netherlands permanently (or for more than 8 months in a 12-month period) you are required to deregister with your municipality of residence. If you lived in Tilburg, you can download the form ‘Notification of move abroad’ on the website of the municipality of Tilburg (https://www.tilburg.nl/fileadmin/files/inwoners/verhuizen-verbouwen/015.07.14.08_PDF_notification_moving_abroad.pdf).

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3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

3.1 Arrival in Tilburg

We would strongly recommend that all students arrive at Tilburg University during the Registration Days and attend the full Tilburg Orientation Program (TOP). Your School will provide you with further information in this respect. During TOP-week, the Immigration Office will give a presentation on the remaining requirements of the respective immigration processes. For more information you can visit:

- https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/education/practicalissues/afterarrival/registration-days/ - https://www.top-week.nl/en/

3.2 Insurance

It is extremely important to have the correct insurance for your period of study in the Netherlands. Below are the most important types of insurance. These types of insurance can be obtained either in one package, or in separate parts, taking into account your individual circumstances and any existing insurance you may already have. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate insurance for the entire duration of your stay. For further information, please click here.

3.2.1 Health insurance

Your policy must cover you for the following:

repatriation on medical grounds

urgent medical care

emergency hospital treatment (including admission and treatment costs for a period of stay in a sanatorium or psychiatric institution)

In case you have private health insurance, please check with your insurance company before your arrival in the Netherlands whether your policy meets the Dutch requirements. For more information about insurance you can visit the following websites:

- https://www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl/english/ - https://www.studyinholland.nl/prepare/insurance/studying-and-health-insurance-in-holland

Or you can call the following telephone number: +31 88 900 6960 (or 0800 64 64 644 from within the Netherlands) from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.

3.2.2 Personal liability insurance

In addition, we strongly recommend you to take out personal liability insurance. This type of insurance covers the costs should you accidentally injure another person or cause damage to someone else’s property.

3.2.3 Other insurance

It is also advisable to take out an insurance to cover loss or damage to your possessions (household content insurance) and a travel insurance to cover your belongings and medical care when you are travelling.

3.3 Travelling after arrival in the Netherlands

Based on your valid Dutch residence permit, in combination with your valid passport, you will be able

to travel to the other Schengen countries. When planning to travel outside the Schengen area please

contact the diplomatic post of the country concerned in respect to their visa requirements. The Tilburg

University’s Immigration Office is not able to assist you in this respect.

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3.4 Study progress (NOT applicable to exchange students)

3.4.1 Nominal duration of study

Every program of study at all Dutch institutions has a nominal duration (or length of study). This is based on the fact that a student should be able to achieve 60 credits in one academic year. The nominal duration of each study at Tilburg University is calculated as follows:

Bachelor Master Research Master

Total ECTS

180 60 120

ECTS each year

60 60 60

Nominal duration

3 years 1 year 2 years

3.4.2 Requirement for Pre-Master/ Pre-Bachelor programs

In case you have been accepted for a Pre-Master or Pre-Bachelor program, you need to complete the Pre-Master or Pre-Bachelor program within one academic year. This means you need to obtain all ECTS allocated to your Pre-Master or Pre-Bachelor program. In case you do not complete your program within the aforementioned timeframe, we are in principle required to deregister you with the IND. In this event, the Immigration Office will inform you accordingly.

3.4.3 Study Progress Monitoring

In order to continue your studies in the Netherlands, Dutch legislation requires you to obtain a minimum of 50% of the nominal number of ECTS per academic year. For example:

Bachelor Master Research Master

Total ECTS

180 60 120

Total ECTS each year 60 60 60

Minimum ECTS required to continue studies

30 30 30

In case you do not obtain these ECTS, the Tilburg University Immigration Office will deregister you with the IND. The IND may then revoke your residence permit. You will then no longer be able to continue your studies at Tilburg University.

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4. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Q&A)

1. I have more than one nationality. Do I have to apply for a residence permit?

It depends on which nationalities you hold. Please contact the Tilburg University Immigration Office for advice at immigration@tilburguniversity.edu.

2. I have the Turkish nationality and I have a green/ special passport, which allows me to travel to

the Netherlands without an entry visa. Why do I have to apply for a MVV? Your passport only allows you to enter the Netherlands for short stay purposes (i.e. stays up to 90 days). Since, however, you will be staying in the Netherlands for more than 90 days you are required to apply for a Dutch entry visa for long stay purposes (i.e. a MVV) and a residence permit. You cannot travel to the Netherlands with your special passport and apply for your residence permit after your arrival.

3. Do I have to apply for an entry visa and residence permit by a certain date?

You will have to pay the immigration fee within one week after you have received the request for payment. After the payment, you will receive a list with required documents. These need to be uploaded into the Tilburg University online application system ASAP, preferably within one week (i.e. 7 days).

Once the documents have then been approved by the Tilburg University Immigration Office you will need to courier (e.g. Fed Ex, DHL, etc.) the original documents.

Only upon receipt of the originals documents will the Tilburg University Immigration Office be able to submit the application with the IND.

The sooner you therefore upload the documents, the better. Please do not provide the Immigration Office with any documents before you have been informed of what the exact requirements are.

4. How does the IND decide how much money I have to have? The IND calculates the average cost per month for an international student to live in the

Netherlands, based on expenses such as insurance, accommodation and food. This monthly amount is increased each year in line with inflation.

For 2020-2021, the rate for all incoming students has been set as follows:

Semester Period Total needed amount for living expenses

For a stay of autumn semester 1 September until 31 January

€ 4,500

For a stay of spring semester 1 February until 31 August

€ 6,300

For a stay of full academic year 1 September until 31 August OR 1 February until 31 January

€ 10,800

For your application for a Dutch residence permit, you need to demonstrate that the entire amount is available on either your own account or that of a sponsor, minus any grant/scholarship you will receive. In addition to this amount, you will also need to prove that you have sufficient means in order to pay for the study program itself.

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5. Why are students from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong not allowed to provide documents to show their financial support, in the same way as students from other countries? The IND has very specific requirements regarding the format of the documents that need to be provided. Our experience taught us that banks in the countries mentioned above, are generally not able to meet these requirements. In order to avoid delays, we ask for the living expenses to be transferred.

6. How do I know that transferring the required amount is safe?

The Tilburg University Immigration Office has been dealing with the transfer of living expenses for several years. We are aware of the importance of dealing with this large amount properly. In case you have (or prefer) to transfer the amount, you will receive a Transfer Request Form from the Tilburg University Immigration Office in order to do so. The form mentions the bank details of Tilburg University. With the form, Tilburg University confirms for what purpose the money will be used and under what conditions it will be transferred back to you. The confirmation of the receipt of the amount by our bank can take a few days up to a few weeks, depending on the country from which the money was transferred. However, as soon as we have received the transfer we will inform you accordingly. Delays in receiving the transfer can be caused by:

the transfer did not include the reference number;

the transfer was made in a different currency than EURO;

the transfer was made to a different account;

the transfer was made mentioning the name of someone else (e.g. a parent), should this happen please inform the Tilburg University Immigration Office immediately.

7. Can I start to prepare the documents for my application now?

No, you cannot. There are several reasons for this: 1) The Tilburg University Immigration Office can only determine the immigration process

applicable to you once it has received all your personal details. These details become available once you have been (conditionally) accepted. Only then will it be possible to inform you about the exact required documents.

2) The IND only accepts recent documents. This means that they cannot be older than 3 months at the time your application is submitted. Preparing documents too far in advance may mean that you have to request new documents later in the year, which could cost you more money.

After having paid the immigration fee, you will receive an automated email providing you with further information on your immigration process. The email also contains links that provide examples of the documents required and explain what conditions these documents need to meet.

8. The documents provided by my bank are not exactly the same as the example documents you

provided. Is that important? Yes, it is important. The example documents we provide contain all the information to ensure that your application will be approved without any delays and without the need for additional documents. These examples are based on both the requirements of the IND and our own experience in this respect. Any differences between the example documents and the documents provided by your bank could mean that you will need to obtain other/new documents that meet the requirements, which in its turn may result in a delay of your immigration process.

9. How long will my application take after it has been sent to the IND?

Legal processing times are 3 months. In practice, however, it takes the IND approximately 2-4 weeks as of the date of submission of the application. However, during the high season (May – August) processing times may become longer.

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10. How and when will I be informed about the progress of my application? Should the IND require additional documents/information before approving your application they will inform the Tilburg University Immigration Office. We will then subsequently contact you within 24 hours after receipt of the request of the IND. Once your application has been approved, the IND will inform us. Upon receipt of the approval from the IND, you will be informed accordingly via email. Consequently, as soon as we receive an update in respect to your application, you will be informed.

11. Can I book my travel to the Netherlands before I have my visa?

We strongly recommend you do NOT make any travel arrangements before you have received your entry visa. Both the processing time at the IND and the Dutch diplomatic post can (strongly) vary, especially in the summer period. The Immigration Office of Tilburg University, cannot be held responsible for the consequences of booking your travel before having received your entry visa.

12. In case I contact you every day asking about my application, will this expedite my application?

No, it will not.

The application procedure for a residence permit for study purposes is already an expedited one. Whilst it is important that you contact us if you have any specific questions about your application (such as documentation required), delays will be caused to all applications in case every student requested a daily update. We therefore ask you to be patient and trust that we will immediately contact you if there is a problem with your application or we receive the approval.

13. What do I need to do in case I lose my passport with my entry visa?

In any case, we strongly advise you to make a scan of the important pages of your passport (personal details, issue and expiry date, passport number, and any visas) AND email it to yourself so that you have access to it anywhere in the world.

If you lose your passport or it is stolen, you should do the following:

1) If you are outside the Netherlands when your passport is lost/stolen:

report the loss/theft to the local police and keep a copy of the report;

contact the local Dutch diplomatic post and ask them for advice;

contact the local diplomatic post of your own country of nationality regarding the loss/theft of your passport.

Upon your return to/ arrival in the Netherlands:

report the loss/theft to the Dutch police and keep a copy of the report.

2) If you are in the Netherlands when your passport is lost/stolen:

report the loss/theft to the Dutch police and keep a copy of the report. 14. Do I have to have any medical/physical checks before I come to the Netherlands?

No, you do not. The IND requires no medical/physical checks or certificates before you enter the Netherlands. After arrival in the Netherlands, and only if applicable, you will need to have a Tuberculosis screening (chest x-ray) done. The Dutch Public Health Service (known as the GGD) will carry out the TB-screening.