Passport
Make sure it will remain valid for at least six months after the completion of your semester abroad.
What happens with your Dutch residence permit?
You are allowed to spend a maximum of 9 months abroad during your UCM-program without jeopardizing your Dutch residence permit. All you need to do is to inform the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Services (IND) well in advance (a minimum of two months before you leave for your semester abroad). This is really important. If you do not inform them, it may result in losing your residence permit.
Visa/Residence permit for your host country
Depending on your nationality you may need a visa for the country of your host institution. Whatever nationality you hold, a residence permit for stays longer than 3 months is always a necessity.
Rules and regulations differ per country depending on your nationality. Check this well in advance (applying for a visa can take up to 6 months!) at a consulate or an embassy of your nationality in the country where your host university resides (www.embassyworld.com). Do not take anything for granted in immigration matters.
If you intend to travel beyond your host country, it is advisable that you find out about visa requirements for those other countries you plan to visit before you leave Maastricht.
In addition you should also realize that the costs for an entry visa or a residence permit will differ per country and can be expensive.
In general, (a copy of) the following documents are necessary to obtain a visa/residence permit (but each country has its own list of required documents):
• a valid passport
• a financial statement from your bank or from your parents
• a certificate of health insurance
• a certificate of liability insurance
• a number of passport photographs, and
• a birth certificate
Travel and Health Insurance
Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance during your semester abroad. You can find recommendations in the study abroad guide.
