Immigration
If you are a non-Dutch national preparing to join us, there are several important immigration steps to complete before starting your employment and settling in the Netherlands. Depending on your situation, you may need a residence permit, a citizen service number (BSN), and other formalities.
The International Staff Support Office (ISSO) is here to guide you through the necessary procedures and help ensure a smooth transition for you and, if applicable, your family. We will support you in fulfilling all legal requirements and advise you on your responsibilities as a resident in the Netherlands.
Key Dutch terms and abbreviations
During immigration procedures, you may encounter the following terms:
- Verblijfsvergunning regulier (VVR): Residence permit
- Machtiging voor voorlopig verblijf (MVV): Dutch entry visa and temporary residence permit
- Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND): Immigration and Naturalisation Service
Non-EU nationals
If you are a national of a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, commonly referred to as a Non-EU national, you will need a valid work and residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands. For stays longer than 90 days, most nationalities also require a long-stay visa (MVV). Both the residence permit and MVV must be arranged by Maastricht University as your employer.
Once your employment details have been submitted internally, you will receive an invitation to access our secure immigration portal, VisaCare. This portal will guide you through the specific documentation required for your application. If applicable, ISSO can also assist with residence permit applications for accompanying family members.
After verifying your details in VisaCare, you’ll be able to upload your documents for review by your assigned ISSO contact person.
Note: You may need to have personal documents translated and legalised in your home country before they can be used in the Netherlands.
Long-stay (more than 90 days)
If you plan to live in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need a residence permit and, depending on your nationality, a long-stay visa (MVV). The MVV must be collected from a Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Check whether you need an MVV (long-stay visa).
Both the MVV and residence permit will be arranged by Maastricht University on your behalf.
Short-stay (90 days or less)
For stays of 90 days or less, you generally do not need a Dutch residence permit. However, depending on your nationality, a Schengen short-stay visa may be required to enter the Netherlands.
Visit NetherlandsWorldwide for current visa requirements.
Please note:
- Short-stay visa applications are your own responsibility: ISSO cannot assist with this process.
- If you are receiving salary during your stay, you must also obtain a BSN (citizen service number). ISSO can assist with this.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
If you are a national of an EU country, an EEA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland, you have the right to live and work freely in the Netherlands. This means you do not need a residence or work permit to be employed at Maastricht University. If you have family members from outside the EU, we are happy to assist with their immigration formalities.
Even though no residence permit is required, there are still some important administrative steps to complete:
If you plan to settle in the Netherlands, you are required to register with the local municipality. This registration is necessary to obtain a BSN (citizen service number), which you’ll need for salary payment, health insurance, and other formalities. ISSO will help arrange your appointment at the Expat Centre in Maastricht.
If you will stay in the Netherlands for period shorter than 4 months, full municipal registration is not possible. However, you are still required to obtain a BSN number for payroll and other official matters. In this case, you can register as a non-resident at a Registry for Non-Residents (RNI). The closest RNI desk to Maastricht is located in Heerlen, and you can also choose another location that’s convenient for you.
Cross-border work
If you live in Belgium or Germany and work at Maastricht University, you are considered a cross-border worker. This situation is common due to Maastricht’s location near international borders, but it does come with specific administrative considerations. Living across the border may impact your tax and social security arrangements and you will still need a BSN (citizen service number), which you can obtain from a Registry for Non-Residents (RNI).
Learn more about cross-border taxation and social security
Based on your nationality, a few extra rules might apply.
EU, EEA, Swiss nationals cross-border workers
As an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, you are free to live in another EU country and work in the Netherlands without needing a residence or work permit.
Non-EU nationals cross-border workers
If you are a non-EU national and hold a Dutch residence permit, you are required to reside in the Netherlands. In exceptional cases, if you instead obtain a valid residence permit from another Schengen country (on personal grounds), you may still be allowed to work for UM as a cross-border employee; provided your role qualifies as scientific work (e.g. research or teaching). In this situation, ISSO can issue a work permit exemption letter.
Important: It is your own responsibility to secure a valid foreign residence permit. Please consult ISSO in advance if you plan to live outside the Netherlands.