How Much Bank Balance for a Netherlands Student Visa? Indian Applicants

The figures below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026: the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) required-amounts page, its study brochure and NetherlandsWorldwide. For tourist visas, fees and VFS centres, see our Netherlands visa guide for Indians.

How much money does the IND expect a student to show in 2026?

The IND sets a standard monthly amount and asks that you can support yourself for at least one year. The 2026 amounts are valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026. They cover living costs only.

Most Indian students joining a bachelor's or master's programme fall under the university or hbo row. The IND publishes the amount in euros only. There is no official INR figure, so the rupee value of your funds moves with the exchange rate. Keep some margin above the exact conversion instead of aiming for the bare minimum.

The amount for this year took effect on 1 January 2026, according to the IND required-amounts page. Because it runs only until 31 December 2026, check the same page again if your course starts in 2027.

Who checks your bank balance: VFS, the embassy or your university?

A Dutch student permit does not work like a tourist visa. You do not hand bank statements to a VFS officer in Mumbai or New Delhi. Your educational institution applies to the IND for the entry visa (MVV) and the residence permit together. It must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor, and you cannot file the application yourself.

The institution tells you which documents to send, for example a copy of your passport and proof of sufficient funds. It then submits the application to the IND. So the format of your financial proof is set by the institution's instructions. Read its admission emails carefully before you move money between accounts.

Once the IND approves, the bank statements are behind you. At the MVV appointment in India you show your passport (valid at least 6 more months, with 2 empty pages, plus a copy of the photo page), one passport photo meeting Dutch requirements, the institution's email with your V number, and any other documents named in the IND letter.

Can a relative in the Netherlands finance your studies instead?

Yes. If a person living in the Netherlands pays for your study, the IND looks at that person's income. For hbo and university students, the thresholds valid from 1 July to 31 December 2026 are:

• EUR 3,467.77 gross SV salary a month if the sponsor is married or has a partner
• EUR 2,766.67 gross SV salary a month if the sponsor is single

Both figures exclude holiday allowance. The IND sources we checked do not set out separate rules for parents who stay in India and fund you from an Indian account. If your parents are paying, ask your institution which documents it accepts before arranging any transfer.

What else will you pay on top of the living-cost funds?

No INR amount is published for the IND fee. Keep the fee and tuition separate from the money you show for living costs, so the funds figure stays clean.

How long does the IND take once your funds are accepted?

You may use any of the three offices for the MVV sticker, even if the IND letter names another one. Appointments fill quickly, and new slots open through cancellations. After arrival you collect the residence permit in the Netherlands.

The permit is valid for the length of your course plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 5 years. You must earn at least half the required credits each academic year, or the permit can be withdrawn. A TB test at the Municipal Health Service is due within 3 months of the permit being issued, unless your nationality is on the IND exemption list.

Can a part-time job help cover your costs?

Only within limits. Students may work up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August. Even then, the employer must hold a work permit (TWV) for you. Because the TWV depends on finding an employer willing to apply, do not plan your first months around job income.

Mistakes that hold up a Dutch student file

• Counting tuition as living funds. The EUR 1,130.77 monthly figure excludes tuition fees.
• Using an older year's amount. The 2026 figure has applied since 1 January 2026. The IND study brochure is dated 2024, so rely on the required-amounts page for the number.
• Paying the IND directly. Students pay the EUR 254.00 fee to their institution, which pays the IND.
• Missing the MVV window. Collect the MVV within 3 months of the decision, then travel within 90 days.
• Forgetting the birth certificate. You need a legalised and translated birth certificate to register with the municipality after arrival.

Your student permit runs through your university, but related trips and applications sometimes need supporting paperwork. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EUR 1,130.77 figure the same for master's students?

The IND sets one standard amount for hbo and university students, EUR 1,130.77 a month in 2026. A master's programme at a Dutch university falls under that rate. Secondary and mbo students use the lower EUR 928.58 figure.

Is there an official rupee amount for the Dutch student funds requirement?

No. The IND publishes its standard amounts and fees in euros only. Convert at the current rate, keep a margin, and confirm the accepted form of proof with your institution.

Do I get the EUR 254 fee back if the IND refuses my permit?

No. The IND fee is paid when the application is submitted and is not refunded if it is refused. Students pay it to their institution, which passes it to the IND.

Will the amount change for a 2027 intake?

The EUR 1,130.77 figure is valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026, and IND fees change every 1 January. Check the IND required-amounts page before you arrange funds for a 2027 start.