Netherlands Student Visa Fee for Indians (2026): IND Charge Explained

Fees and rules below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026: the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), NetherlandsWorldwide and VFS Global India. The IND student charge confuses many Indian families because it is not paid at a visa centre and it covers two documents at once. For Schengen visits and other routes, see our Netherlands visa guide for Indians.

What does the EUR 254 IND fee actually cover?

The EUR 254.00 is the IND's 2026 fee for a student residence permit including the MVV, for study at all levels. It pays for one combined application that produces two things:

• The MVV, the provisional residence permit sticker placed in your passport at the Dutch Embassy or a Consulate-General in India.
• The residence permit, which you collect in the Netherlands after arrival.

The IND changes its fees every 1 January, so the 2026 figure applies to applications submitted in 2026. The IND fee page publishes it in euros only; there is no official INR amount.

Who pays the IND, you or your university?

You cannot apply for a Dutch student residence permit yourself. Your university or university of applied sciences (hbo), which must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor, applies for the MVV and residence permit together. According to the IND, students pay the fee to their educational institution, and the institution pays the IND.

In practice that means you follow your institution's payment instructions rather than looking for an IND payment page or a VFS counter. The institution also tells you which documents to provide, such as a copy of your passport and proof of sufficient funds.

What else will you pay around the IND fee?

If a person in the Netherlands finances your studies instead, their gross salary must be at least EUR 3,467.77 a month if married or partnered, or EUR 2,766.67 if single, without holiday allowance (valid 1 July to 31 December 2026).

The INR 1,890 VFS service fee you may see on the Netherlands VFS site is charged for submissions with biometrics at VFS centres, such as Schengen visas. A student's MVV sticker is collected by appointment at the Embassy in New Delhi or a Consulate-General in Bangalore or Mumbai instead.

How does the student fee compare with other IND fees?

Many Indian students later switch to work or bring a partner, so it helps to see the 2026 IND fees side by side:

A short Schengen visit visa costs EUR 90.00, but that is a separate visa for trips of up to 90 days, not a study route. Graduates who move into highly skilled migrant work during the orientation year, or within 3 years of graduating, can use the reduced salary criterion of EUR 3,122 a month in 2026.

When is the fee paid, and what if the IND refuses?

The fee is paid when the application is submitted and is not refunded if the IND refuses. The IND's legal decision period for a student residence permit is 60 days; for a complete application filed by a recognised sponsor, its target is 2 weeks. Because a refusal costs you the fee, make sure your institution has every document it asked for, especially the proof of funds, before it files.

The sources checked contain no IND refusal statistics for student permits. The European Commission's 20.7% refusal figure for 2025 concerns Schengen short-stay visas lodged at Dutch consulates in India, not student residence permits, so do not read it as a student figure.

What happens in India after the IND approves you?

1. Book an MVV sticker appointment online within 3 months of the IND's positive decision, at the Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate-General in Bangalore or Mumbai. You may use any of the three, even if the IND letter names another.
2. Bring a passport valid at least 6 more months with 2 empty pages, a photocopy of the photo page, one passport photo meeting Dutch requirements, and the institution's email with your V number.
3. If you want the passport couriered back, pay DTDC INR 850 for an Airway Bill before the appointment.
4. Expect the passport with the MVV within up to 10 working days, then travel to the Netherlands within 90 days and collect your residence permit there.

Appointments fill quickly; if none are available, try again later, as slots open through cancellations and rescheduling.

Your IND file runs through your institution. For the trip itself, or for family who later visit you on a Schengen visa, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters, from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for the full set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work while studying in the Netherlands on a student permit?

Yes, within limits. The IND allows up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August, but only if the employer holds a work permit (TWV) for you.

How long is a Dutch student residence permit valid?

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.

Is the IND student fee paid in rupees?

No official INR amount is published. The IND sets the fee at EUR 254.00 for 2026, and you pay it to your Dutch institution, which then pays the IND.

Do Indian students need a TB test for the Netherlands?

The IND requires a TB test at the Municipal Health Service within 3 months of the permit being issued, unless your nationality is on the IND exemption list. Check the list for your nationality before you travel.