Netherlands Visa from India: HSM Permit, MVV Process & What to Do After Arrival

India is consistently one of the top three source countries for Highly Skilled Migrants arriving in the Netherlands — largely driven by hiring at ASML, Philips, Booking.com, Adyen, IMEC, and the Amsterdam and Eindhoven tech ecosystems. If you've received a Dutch job offer and are applying from India, the process involves one step that applicants from the US, Canada, or Australia don't face: the MVV entry visa.

Here is the complete flow from offer letter to landing in the Netherlands.

Why Indian Nationals Need an MVV

India is not on the EU's visa-exemption list for the Netherlands. That means Indian nationals cannot simply fly to Amsterdam and start work on a permit-in-progress. You need a Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) — a provisional residence permit sticker — placed in your passport before you travel.

The MVV and the HSM residence permit are typically applied for simultaneously through the TEV (Entry and Residence) procedure. This combined application means you only go through one IND review process rather than two.

The TEV Application Process (India)

Step 1: Employer files the application Your employer submits the combined MVV + HSM application through the IND Business Portal. To do this, they must already have recognized sponsor status — major Dutch employers hiring from India almost always do. The employer pays the €423 application fee by direct debit.

Step 2: IND review The IND reviews the application against two main criteria: (1) your gross monthly salary meets the applicable HSM threshold (€5,942 for age 30+, or €4,357 if under 30, in 2026), and (2) there are no background concerns. For recognized sponsor applications, the IND targets a two-week decision.

Step 3: MVV issuance If approved, you receive an invitation from the Dutch embassy or consulate in India to collect the MVV sticker. The main Dutch consular posts in India are in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Processing times at Indian posts can add several weeks to the overall timeline depending on appointment availability.

Step 4: Passport stamping and travel At your consular appointment you provide biometric data and collect the MVV sticker, which is valid for 90 days from issuance. You must travel to the Netherlands and begin working within that 90-day window.

Critical error to avoid: Do not travel to the Netherlands before your MVV is issued, even on a tourist visa or visa-free basis (India does not have visa-free access to the Netherlands). Starting work without the MVV is a fatal procedural error. The IND's position is clear: you must return to India and restart the process from the beginning. No employer or immigration lawyer can fix this after the fact.

Legalized Documents: Plan for This Early

Indian nationals face additional documentation requirements that are specific to non-EU nationalities. The IND and Dutch embassy will require:

Birth certificate: Must be an original, legalized document. In India, "legalization" means obtaining an Apostille stamp from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so the process is Apostille-based rather than consular legalization.

MEA Apostille processing has historically taken 2–4 weeks for documents submitted through e-Sanad or the MEA's physical authentication centers. In 2026, the e-Sanad portal processes some documents faster, but planning for 3–4 weeks is prudent.

Marriage certificate (if bringing a spouse): Same Apostille requirement. The marriage certificate must be the official registered document, not the ceremonial certificate.

Degree certificates (if applying for the EU Blue Card or reduced HSM threshold): Original degree certificates with Apostille are required if the IND or employer needs to verify the qualification.

Start obtaining these documents as soon as you sign the offer letter. Don't wait for the IND to formally request them.

Timeline: Offer Letter to Arrival

The range is wide because Indian consular appointment availability fluctuates. Mumbai and Chennai tend to be faster than New Delhi during peak recruitment seasons (January–March and September–October).

Post-Arrival Steps for Indian Nationals

BRP registration within 5 days Register at your municipality as soon as you arrive. Indian nationals commonly face longer document verification at the gemeente because birth certificate legalization is sometimes questioned if the Apostille format is unfamiliar to local officials. Bring two copies of all documents and the original Apostille-stamped certificates.

TB test: mandatory for Indian nationals India is on the IND's TB screening list. This means you must complete a tuberculosis screening at a GGD (public health service) clinic within three months of arrival. The test typically involves a chest X-ray. The initial screening costs approximately €50. Your IND approval letter will include a referral form — bring it to the GGD appointment. Failing to complete the TB test within three months gives the IND grounds to revoke your permit.

Opening a bank account ICICI Bank has a Netherlands branch that many Indian expats use for India-linked transactions. ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank are the primary Dutch banks. As covered in more detail in our BSN guide, Bunq is the most practical option for getting a functional Dutch bank account before your BSN arrives.

Tax and 30% ruling Indian nationals satisfy the 150km residency requirement for the 30% ruling automatically — India is considerably more than 150km from the Dutch border. Your employer's tax advisor should file the 30% ruling application within four months of your start date. Don't leave this to chance — confirm with HR that the filing has been completed.

One important note: since 2025, the Netherlands requires new 30% ruling holders to declare their worldwide assets, including Indian investments, savings, and provident fund balances. Box 3 wealth tax applies at a notional rate. If you have significant Indian market investments (mutual funds, fixed deposits, equity), factor this into your financial planning before arriving.

OCI card and dual citizenship The Netherlands generally requires renunciation of original nationality for naturalization. India does not permit dual citizenship — Indians who naturalize in the Netherlands will lose their Indian passport and citizenship. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card status can be maintained after naturalization and provides visa-free access to India, but it is not the same as citizenship. Plan for this if your five-year horizon includes naturalization.

Common Questions from Indian Applicants

Can my spouse work in the Netherlands? Yes, under the "arbeid vrij toegestaan" endorsement on their dependent permit. No separate work permit is required. See our dependent visa guide for the timing trap on 12-month contracts.

Can I switch employers after arriving? Yes, but only after completing the three-month search period requirements. Your new employer must also be a recognized sponsor and file a fresh HSM application.

Do I need to know Dutch? For working in the tech sector: no. The Netherlands has some of the highest English fluency rates in the world, and major employers in Amsterdam and Eindhoven operate primarily in English. For eventual permanent residency and naturalization, you will need to pass the Dutch civic integration exam at A2 language level (with possible increase to B1 under proposed legislation).

What if my salary is slightly above the threshold including a 13th month? The IND only counts fixed monthly payments toward the threshold. A 13th month paid as a December lump sum does not satisfy the monthly threshold calculation. Your base monthly salary must independently meet the applicable threshold. See our 30% ruling guide for the specific rules.

For the complete guide covering the TEV procedure, post-arrival setup sequence, 30% ruling optimization, and partner permit timing — including a city-by-city BRP appointment guide — see the Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant Visa Guide.

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