Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a visa directly to the Netherlands Immigration Office?
No, the Netherlands Immigration Office only accepts visa applications for study purposes if authorised and sent in by the AHK.
Do I have to pay the visa fee(s) to the AHK?
Yes, the applicable visa fee(s) are to be paid directly to the AHK.
When do I have to pay for my visa?
Payment for visa is due before the Enrolment Office activates your visa application file. After having sent the provisional application form to AHK, please transfer the applicable visa fee to:
Bank Account 54 87 03 043, Amsterdam School of the Arts, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
BIC-code ABNANL2A
IBAN-code NL02ABNA0548703043
Regarding: student's name (as in passport) + date of birth.
Tip: please (re)read the general information on visa fees on this website. In case of doubt: please send an email to 
visaservices@ahk.nl.
How much do I have to pay for my visa?
Fees for 2009-2010 are as follows:
- entry visa: €260 (€250 application fee plus €10 for international money transfer costs)
- residence permit: € 443 (€433 application fee plus €10 for international money transfer costs)
In general, payment is due after having received a positive audition result in order to activate your visa application file. Note that students who apply for an entry visa and consequently for a residence permit, pay an entry visa fee of €260 first. After arrival in the Netherlands an additional residence permit fee of €188 is due.
Students from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea pay a fee of € 443 in once for the residence permit.
What is an MVV?
An MVV is an entry visa. Nationals of countries outside the EU, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, must obtain an entry visa before travelling to the Netherlands. After arrival in the Netherlands please report to the Enrolment Office immediately in order to prepare your application for a residence permit.
What are the consequences if visa regulations are not complied with?
Without having a visa, the enrolment procedure for your study at AHK will be put on hold and eventually aborted.
What about (additional) financial requirements?
Students who apply for an entry visa and/or a residence permit, must give proof they have enough financial means to live on while staying in the Netherlands. The standard amount required (2009) in your personal bank account is €9,359. 52. In case of a preparatory year or participation in the Socrates/Erasmus programme, the applicable amount is €7,739.52.
I am a national of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea. Do I need an entry visa?
No, an entry visa is not required. Note that you have to apply for a residence permit according to the procedure as notified on the website.
Do I need an entry visa even when I hold a valid residence permit for study purposes in one of the EU/EEA countries?
Nationals of countries other than EU/EEA, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea always have to apply for an entry visa before they travel to the Netherlands, even if they reside within the EU/EEA having a residence permit for study purposes issued in the EU/EEA (not being the Netherlands). As a holder of such a residence permit for study purposes (which has to be valid at the moment of application), you must apply for an entry visa for the Netherlands and pick it up at the Dutch embassy of the country in which you reside.
What do I have to do after I have picked up my entry visa?
The entry visa is used as a travel document. After arrival in the Netherlands (using the entry visa) please make an appointment with AHK Enrolment Office as soon as possible; an officer of the Enrolment Office will then start the procedure to obtain a residence permit for the Netherlands.
What about the tuberculosis test?
Nationals of various foreign countries must undergo a tuberculosis test by the Netherlands Municipal Health Service (GG&GD), and, if necessary, receive treatment. The test is conducted in the Netherlands and is part of the application procedure for a residence permit. As soon as you have arrived in the Netherlands, please contact the AHK Enrolment Office for further details.
The test does not apply to foreign nationals of one of the EU/EEA member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Surinam, Israel, Monaco or Switzerland. If you are in the possession of a valid residence permit for an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, a tuberculosis declaration is not needed.
Is there a scheme of all the steps to be taken in obtaining an entry visa and / or a residence permit?
See below:
| Non EU/EEA nationals | Nationals of United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea |
|---|---|
| entry visa application | residence permit application |
| - fill out and give/send provisional entry visa application form | - fill out and give/send provisional residence permit application form |
| - give/send copy of all pages of passport | - give/send copy of all pages of passport |
| - give/send a passport photo | - give/send a passport photo |
| - sign and give/send back original residence permit application form | |
| - send proof of financial means | - send proof of financial means |
| - transfer entry visa fee (€260) | - transfer residence permit fee (€443) |
| AHK Enrolment Office sends entry visa application file to the Netherlands Immigration Office | AHK Enrolment Office sends residence permit application file to the Netherlands Immigration Office |
| - student receives notification that entry visa can be collected at the Netherlands Embassy in country of origin | |
| - transfer residence permit fee (€198) | |
| - student travels to the Netherlands using the entry visa | |
| residence permit application | |
| - visit AHK Enrolment Office to sign the original residence permit application form, get information about tuberculosis test and payment of the additional residence permit fee (€188) | - nationals of South Korea visit AHK Enrolment Office to get information about tuberculosis test |
| AHK Enrolment Office sends residence permit application file to the Netherlands Immigration Office | |
| - run a tuberculosis test (not applicable to all nationals) | - nationals of South Korea have to run a tuberculosis test |
| - student receives notification that residence permit is ready to be collected | - student receives notification that residence permit is ready to be collected |
I have another question regarding the visa procedure.
Please send an email to visaservices@ahk.nl.