2016-2017
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Immigration Booklet
For NON-EU Students
v
For students who already have a Dutch residence permit
www.tilburguniversity.edu/immigration
1
CONTENTS
FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................. 4
1.
THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE ......................................................................................................... 5
1.1
Introduction of Immigration Officers ...................................................................................... 5
1.2
Contact details......................................................................................................................... 5
2.
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES ...................................................................................................... 6
2.1
Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service ....................................................................... 6
2.2
Countries ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.3
Application process ................................................................................................................. 9
2.3.1
Application process for an Extension step by step.............................................................. 9
2.3.2
Application process for a Notification step by step .......................................................... 10
2.3.3
Application process for a Change of Purpose of Stay (CPS) step by step.......................... 11
2.3.4
Immigration fee ................................................................................................................. 12
2.3.5
Documents required.......................................................................................................... 12
2.3.6
Approval of your Extension / CPS-application................................................................... 14
2.3.7
How long will the process take? ....................................................................................... 14
2.4
Residence Permit................................................................................................................... 15
2.4.1
3.
Validity of your residence permit .................................................................................. 16
ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS........................................................................... 17
3.1
Registration at Municipality .................................................................................................. 17
3.1.1
How to register .............................................................................................................. 17
3.1.2
Deregistration at Municipality....................................................................................... 17
4.
ADDITIONAL ISSUES ON STUDYING AT TILBURG UNIVERSITY................................................... 18
4.1
Arrival .................................................................................................................................... 18
4.2
Insurance ............................................................................................................................... 18
4.2.1
Health insurance............................................................................................................ 18
4.2.2
Personal liability insurance............................................................................................ 18
4.2.3
Other insurance ............................................................................................................. 19
4.3
Travelling after arrival in the Netherlands ............................................................................ 19
4.4
Working and studying in the Netherlands ............................................................................ 19
4.5
Study progress ....................................................................................................................... 20
4.5.1
Nominal duration of study ............................................................................................ 20
4.5.2
ECTS credits requirement for Pre-Master programs ..................................................... 20
4.5.3
Study Progress Monitoring - ECTS credits requirements .............................................. 20
5.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .............................................................................................. 22
6.
SHORT SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 26
7.
SCHEMATIC REPRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 27
7.1 Schematic reproduction of CPS and Extension application process ............................................... 27
7.2 Schematic reproduction of process for students who hold a Dutch residence permit for study
purposes which is valid throughout the academic year 2015-2016 ................................................... 28
8.
APPENDIX 1 ............................................................................................................................... 29
FOREWORD
Congratulations on making Tilburg University your choice for further education, continuing your
education at a Dutch institution as a degree-seeking student. Tilburg University provides high quality
education and research, and is recognized as one of Europe’s best universities. In addition, we
welcome more than 750 international students from more than 60 countries each year, which gives
our campus and our programs a very diverse flavor.
Over recent years, the Dutch government has encouraged the growth of international students
through both its education and immigration policies. Although the Netherlands has the reputation
for having complicated immigration procedures for international students, this is not the case and
the government continues to make immigration procedures simpler, putting the administrative load
on the university rather than our students. This means that it is now easier than ever for
international students to choose to study at Tilburg University.
As you already have a Dutch residence permit, the only immigration requirement is that you extend
your current Dutch residence permit for the coming academic year and change the institution at
which you are studying to Tilburg University. You cannot apply for this yourself. Tilburg University has
to do this on your behalf. We at the central International Office have created this booklet to explain
the procedure in general terms and as they apply to international students coming to study at Tilburg
University specifically. More information will be given to you personally at each stage of the process
by our Immigration Officers at the central International Office.
The central International Office includes amongst its staff a number of non-Dutch employees who
have had to go through the procedures detailed in this booklet. This combined with the wide
experience we have built up in assisting our international students, gives us both an understanding
and experience of both sides of the processes. We have dedicated employees who will help you
through every step of the process, dealing with your application on an individual basis, taking into
account your personal circumstances. We are committed to making the immigration processes
simpler for you and enabling your applications to be dealt with quickly, efficiently and, most
importantly, successfully.
Students, who have been through the process, agree that we are successful in what we do. Once
every two years, our international students take part in a questionnaire, giving their views on all
aspects of student life at Tilburg University. Our students consistently rate our Immigration Office as
one of the top 1 in the Netherlands and, according to the results of our own questionnaire in August
2013, more than 85% of students are either satisfactory or highly satisfactory with our service.
However, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the service we offer and will contact you at
various stages in the process to ask for your feedback.
Please read this booklet carefully to see what requirements apply to you and do not hesitate to
contact one of our Immigration Officers with any queries you may have as soon as you receive an
email from them.
We look forward to contacting you all over the coming months and welcoming you to Tilburg
University .
Roos Hogenkamp
Director International Office
of Tilburg University
1.
THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE
1.1
Introduction of Immigration Officers
Daphne Galekop
Having grown up as an Expat’s daughter in Belgium I have always had a fascination
for different languages and cultures. After having studied in the Netherlands I
returned to Belgium where I worked for an international law firm specialized in
corporate immigration. At the end of 2013, I moved “back” to the Netherlands,
becoming an expat in my own country of nationality.
I started working for Tilburg University’s Central International Office in April 2014.
Seen both my personal and professional experience I am looking forward to assisting
you in obtaining the necessary paperwork in order to study in the Netherlands and
making your stay here as pleasant as possible.
My working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Coordinator Immigration Office
Hülya Koçak
I have been working as an Immigration Officer at the central International Office since
January 2009. Originally, from Turkey, I have spent the majority of my life in the
Netherlands, benefiting from the best that both cultures have to offer! I really enjoy
my work here at the Immigration Office. The best part of my job is the contact I have
with all the different nationalities we welcome to the University each semester. It is
also satisfying when we receive feedback from students, confirming how easy the visa
and residence permit applications have been for them and thanking us for our help
and support. I am very much looking forward to contacting you over the coming
months and ensuring that your applications are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
My working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday morning, Thursday and Friday
morning.
Marja Bluekens
I have always been fascinated by other cultures and foreign languages. This is one of
the reasons that I decided to study in Belgium. And I really had a great time there!
After that, I started working at the International Office of Tilburg University. Looking
for a new challenge, I began working as Immigration Officer in January 2012. What I
like most about my work is the contact with international students. I am always happy
to answer your questions or help you out in case you have a problem. I look forward
to welcoming you and I hope you will have the time of your life here!
My working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
1.2
Contact details
Telephone
E-mail
Website
Walk-in hours
Location
Immigration Office
:
:
:
:
:
+ 31 (0)13 466 4166
immigration@tilburguniversity.edu
www.tilburguniversity.edu/immigration
Every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 pm & Thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm
Academia building, Student Desk, 3rd floor
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2.
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES
International students coming to study at Tilburg University, who already have a Dutch residence
permit for study purposes and whose residence permits is not valid throughout the next academic
year must extend their current permit .
International students coming to study at Tilburg University, who already have a Dutch residence
permit for study purposes and whose residence permits is valid throughout the next academic year
does not need to extend their current permit.
International students, who have a Dutch residence permit for another purpose than study, are
required to change the purpose of stay for the residence permit. At the same time, the current
residence permit will be extended for the coming academic year.
You do not need to change the purpose of stay in case your purpose of stay is:
Stay with registered partner or spouse
Stay with family member
Stay with family member of privileged
Asylum
Knowledge migrant
2.1
Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (known as the IND) has an important government
task. The IND is responsible for implementing immigration and naturalisation policies in the
Netherlands. The IND issues decisions on applications for residency and naturalisation in accordance
with Dutch law. In order to do so, the IND has to clearly set out the rules that apply to foreign
nationals in the Netherlands. The IND applies those rules as objectively and consistently as possible.
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2.2
Countries
If you are a passport holder from one of the countries listed below, you must have a residence
permit which proves your legal residency during your studies at Tilburg University.
A
B
Afghanistan
Bahamas
Albania
Bahrain
Algeria
Bangladesh
Andorra
Barbados
Angola
Belarus
Antigua &
Barbuda
Argentina
C
D
E
F
Cambodia
Djibouti
Ecuador
Fiji
Cameroon
Dominica
Egypt
Canada
Dominican
El Salvador
Cape Verde
Central African
Republic
Republic
Equatorial Guinea
Belize
Chad
Benin
Chile
Bhutan
China
Australia
Bolivia
Colombia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia &
Herzegovina
Comoros
Congo DR
Botswana
Congo Brazzaville
Brazil
Costa Rica
Brunei
Cote d’Ívoire
Burkina Faso
Cuba
Armenia
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Burundi
G
H
I
J
K
L
Gabon
Haiti
India
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
Laos
Gambia
Honduras
Indonesia
Japan
Lebanon
Georgia
Iran
Jordan
Ghana
Iraq
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Grenada
Israel
Kyrgyzstan
Libya
Lesotho
Liberia
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
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M
N
O
P
Q
Macedonia
Namibia
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Madagascar
Nauru
Palau
Malaysia
New Zealand
Malawi
Nepal
Maldives
Nicaragua
Panama
Papua New
Guinea
Paraguay
Mali
Niger
Peru
Marshal Islands
Nigeria
Philippines
Mauritania
North Korea
Northern
Mariana
Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
R
Russian
Federation
Rwanda
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
S
T
U
V
Y
Z
Samoa
Taiwan
Uganda
Vanuatu
Yemen
Zambia
San Marino
Tajikistan
Vatican City
Sao Tome and
Tanzania
Principe
Thailand
Saudi Arabia
Togo
Ukraine
United Arab
Emirates
United States of
America
Uruguay
Senegal
Tonga
Uzbekistan
Serbia
Trinidad &
Seychelles
Tobago
Sierra Leone
Tunisia
Singapore
Turkey
Solomon Islands
Turkish Cyprus
Somalia
Turkmenistan
South Africa
Tuvalu
Zimbabwe
Venezuela
Vietnam
South Korea
Sri Lanka
St Kitts & Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent &
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Syria
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2.3
Application process
Tilburg University has an agreement with the IND to apply for applications on your behalf. Below you
will find each application process step by step.
2.3.1 Application process for an Extension step by step
If you have a Dutch residence permit for study purposes, and it is not valid throughout the academic
year 2016-2017 we must extend your current residence permit .
1.
You will receive a letter/email of acceptance from the School of Tilburg University.
2.
The School will send your dossier to Immigration Office of central International
Office through an online system, called Mysas.
3.
After the Immigration Officer has received your dossier, you will receive an email
invite by the Immigration Office to pay the immigration fee of 156 Euros (see
paragraph 2.3.4) through an online payment system.
4.
Only after you paid the immigration fee, you will receive an email from the
Immigration Office to start up your Extension-application procedure.
5.
In this email you will be asked for certain required documents (see paragraph
2.3.5)
Next to these documents you will also need to complete some documents, which
will be attached to the email.
6.
Once you have arranged all the required documents, you must upload all of them
in the system and click on ‘submit’. The Immigration Officer will then receive an
automatic email and will check your documents.
7.
When the documents have been approved by the Immigration Officer, you will be
informed via email.
8.
You must send all the original documents to the Immigration Officer by mail or
hand them in at the Immigration Office of Tilburg University.
9.
The Immigration Officer will submit your Extension-application to the IND on your
behalf. At the same time you will be informed about the biometric data* you have
to get taken at the IND office if not done so before. You can go to the IND desk
closest to you (https://ind.nl/EN/organisation/contact/addresses)
* Biometric data: as of January 2014 you have to have your photograph and two
fingerprints taken for your residence permit. This means that we no longer
have to enclose student’s passport photo with an application. Including
fingerprints on a residence permit is compulsory under a European regulation.
This increases the security of a residence permit and helps to combat fraud
and misuse.
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2.3.2 Application process for a Notification step by step
If you have a Dutch residence permit for study purposes, and it is valid throughout the academic year
2016-2017 we must notify the IND. Tilburg University will be recognized as the new sponsor for their
new international student.
1.
You will receive a letter/email of acceptance from the School of Tilburg University.
2.
The School will send your dossier to Immigration Office of central International
Office through an online system, called Mysas.
3.
After the Immigration Officer has received your dossier including the copy of your
current residence permit, you will receive an email.
4.
In this email you will be asked for certain required documents (see paragraph
2.3.5)
5.
Once you have arranged all the required documents, you must upload all of them
in the system and click on ‘submit’. The Immigration Officer will then receive an
automatic email and will check your documents.
6.
When the documents have been approved by the Immigration Officer, you will be
informed via email.
7.
You must send all the original documents to the Immigration Officer by mail or
hand them in at the Immigration Office of Tilburg University.
8.
The Immigration Officer will submit your Notification form to the IND and will
inform the IND that you will continue your studies at Tilburg University.
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2.3.3 Application process for a Change of Purpose of Stay (CPS) step by step
If you have a Dutch residence permit for another purpose than study, you are required to change the
purpose of stay* for the residence permit. At the same time, the current residence permit will be
extended for the coming academic year.
* You do not need to change the purpose of stay in case your purpose of stay is mentioned on page 5.
1.
You will receive a letter/email of acceptance from the School of Tilburg
University.
2.
The School will send your dossier to Immigration Office of central International
Office through an online system, called Mysas.
3.
After the Immigration Officer has received your dossier, you will receive an email
invite by the Immigration Office to pay the immigration fee of 311 Euros (see
paragraph 2.3.4) through an online payment system.
4.
Only after you paid the immigration fee, you will receive an email from the
Immigration Office to start up your CPS-application procedure.
5.
In this email you will be asked for certain required documents (see paragraph
2.3.5)
Next to these documents, you will also need to complete some documents, which
will be attached to the email.
6.
Once you have arranged all the required documents, you must upload all of them
in the system and click on ‘submit’. The Immigration Officer will then receive an
automatic email and will check your documents.
7.
When the documents have been approved by the Immigration Officer, you will be
informed by email.
8.
You must send all the original documents to the Immigration Officer by mail or
hand them in at the Immigration Office of Tilburg University.
9.
The Immigration Officer will submit your CPS-application to the IND on your
behalf. At the same time you will be informed about the biometric data* you
have to get taken at the IND office if not provided before. You can go to the IND
desk closest to you (https://ind.nl/EN/organisation/contact/addresses)
* Biometric data: As of January 2014 you have to have your photograph and
fingerprints taken for your residence permit. This means that we no longer
have to enclose student’s passport photo with an application. Including
fingerprints on a residence permit is compulsory under a European regulation.
This increases the security of a residence permit and helps to combat fraud
and misuse.
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2.3.4 Immigration fee
(Not applicable to students who hold a resident permit for study purposes which is valid throughout the
academic year 2016-2017)
Tilburg University does not charge students for the assistance you receive from our Immigration
Officers at the central International Office. However, the IND does charge for the processing of
applications. Students should therefore pay as follow:
APPLICATION TYPE
FEE
Change in Purpose of Stay (CPS)
(applicable to students who hold a Dutch residence permit
for another purpose than study)
Extension
€ 311
€ 156 *
(applicable to students who hold a Dutch residence permit
for study purpose)
* Please note for nationals from Turkey the immigration fee is € 50 due to a special agreement
between the governments.
1. After the Immigration Office has received your dossier from the school you will receive an email
invite by the Immigration Office to pay the immigration fee of 311 Euros or 156 Euros (plus
transaction fee of approximately 9 Euros if you pay by a Credit Card) through a digital system.
2. Students can pay with a Dutch bank account card or a Credit Card. If you pay with your Dutch
bank card, you will not be charged transaction fee). Payment by a Credit Card will be charged
transaction fee of approximately 9 Euros). Please note that the Immigration Office does not start
up your application before you have paid the fee. If you transfer the money later than requested
the Immigration Office cannot guarantee that your new residence permit will be ready in time.
2.3.5 Documents required
Passport
If you start your studies in the first semester of the academic year your passport must be valid until
at least 30 September 2017. If you start your studies in the second semester of the academic year
your passport must be valid until at least 28 February 2018.
We will need to include copies of the pages with your personal details and signature and those with
any stickers or stamps on them. Copies of blank pages with nothing on them do not have to be
included in the application.
Financial Proof
The IND requires proof that you are able to support yourself financially in the Netherlands during
your period of study. You are required to have access to a monthly amount of 875 Euros for living
expenses.
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Listed below you can see what amounts you need to prove when studying at Tilburg University for
only one semester or for a full academic year.
Semester
Period
Total needed amount for living
expenses
€ 4,375
For a stay of autumn semester
1 September until 31 January
For a stay of spring semester
1 February until 31 August
€ 6,125
For a stay of full academic year
1 September until 31 August OR
1 February until 31 January
€ 10,500
These living expenses are considered enough to pay for your rent, food, insurance and other general
expenses during your period of study.
Proof of financial support can be provided in different ways, according to how you will be supported
financially during your period of study in the Netherlands.
How to provide financial proof:
OPTION 1
You will transfer the required amount of living expenses to Tilburg University’s bank
account. This money will then be transferred back to your (minus any transaction fees)
Dutch bank account after you have arrived at Tilburg University. Please note that it can
take some time to transfer the money back to you.
OPTION 2
You will support yourself completely.
OPTION 3
You will be supported by someone else, such as a parent or a company.
OPTION 4
You will receive a student grant.
NOTE: It is also possible to use a combination of these four options!
ALTERNATIVE OPTION
It is also possible to be supported by a sponsor living in the Netherlands. However, the documents
required are greater both in number and complexity. The balance on a Dutch sponsor’s bank account
must also be higher than the above amounts. If you are thinking of being supported in this way,
please contact the Immigration Officer for individual advice.
The Immigration Officer will email you personally regarding the above options and the
documentation required ensuring that the documents you supply meet the requirements of the IND.
Please do NOT send any documents to the Immigration Officer regarding finances until you have
been asked to do so.
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Nuffic Certificate
All students with Chinese nationality applying for admission to Dutch higher education institutions
(both as degree and non-degree seeking student) are required to have a Nuffic Certificate (previously
known as NESO certificate).
But students who apply for an extension OR change of purpose of stay are exempted from this
requirement!
2.3.6 Approval of your Extension / CPS-application
(Not applicable to students who hold a resident permit for study purposes which is valid
throughout the academic year 2016-2017)
1.
The Immigration Officer will receive approval of your Extension/CPS-application
from the IND.
2.
You will receive an email from the Immigration Officer informing you of the
approval of your application, explaining what to do next.
3.
After arriving at Tilburg University, you will have to collect the residence permit
card on campus or directly from the IND office.
* All communications regarding your application should be between the IND and
the Immigration Office of Tilburg University. The Immigration Officer will email
you with any further information about the progress of your application.
However, it is possible that you will receive letters from the IND at your
registered Dutch address directly. If you do receive these letters, please inform
the Immigration Office.
2.3.7 How long will the process take?
This process may take as long as three months. It may also take less than three months. However, we
cannot guarantee when you will receive your new residence permit card. You must make sure that
the application for the extension or change has been received by the IND before your current
residence permit expires. If your application has been sent few days before the expiration date of
your current residence permit, you may wish to ask the IND to put a sticker in your passport,
confirming that you have applied for an extension or change of purpose of your current residence
permit. This sticker confirms that you have an immigration procedure in progress and confirms your
legal residency in the Netherlands, even if your current residence permit has expired. In order to get
this sticker you must contact the IND, but this can only be done AFTER your application has been
received by the IND and entered into their system. This could take about two weeks after you have
handed in the completed application to the Immigration Officer at Tilburg University.
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2.4
Residence Permit
Your residence permit allows you to live legally in the Netherlands. It also acts as a travel document,
allowing you to travel to other Schengen1 area and to return to the Netherlands after your travels.
This permit is entitled as a residence permit type 1, regular limited period.
Example of a Dutch residence permit
Front of Dutch residence permit
Purpose of stay (study) will be mentioned here
Back of Dutch residence permit
During August and January intake, the IND will come to the campus of Tilburg University to hand out
the residence permit cards.
You might have to go to the IND office in ‘s Hertogenbosch yourself to pick up your residence permit
card:
 if you cannot attend the hand-out session on campus
 if your card is not ready for collection

When you collect your card, it is important that you check if the information on the card is correct.
Again we strongly advise you to make a photo of front and back of your residence permit card and
send it to your personal email address so you can have access to it whenever you might lose it.
1
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland
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2.4.1 Validity of your residence permit
Your residence permit will be valid from the date you will be enrolled as a Tilburg University student.
Degree-seeking students
Validation of residence permit card
For a stay as a degree-seeking student
For the nominal study duration plus three
extra months the IND grants you
Degree-seeking students who will not finish their studies within the period of validity of their
residence permit must extend their residence permit. The application to extend your residence
permit will be dealt with by the Immigration Officers, who will give you more information at the
appropriate time.
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3.
ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
3.1
Registration at Municipality
Different countries have different ways of recording their population, e.g. some countries choose to
carry out a census every 10 years. However, the Netherlands has a system whereby a live database
(BRP = Basis Registratie Personen) is maintained, recording the most important information about
the population. Dutch law therefore requires all those living in the Netherlands (both Dutch nationals
and non-Dutch nationals) to register at the Municipality in the area in which they live in order to
keep this database up-to-date. Registration is free of charge.
Registration at the local Municipality is mandatory for:
 Degree students.
 Exchange students who will be enrolled for more than one semester at Tilburg University
 Students who will be studying at Tilburg University for only one semester, but who wish to
work during their time here
 Students who are going to be accompanied by their spouse irrespective of their length of
study at Tilburg University.
As you have been living in the Netherlands for a period of time, you should already be registered at
Municipality in the area in which you currently live. However, if you move to Tilburg, you will need to
register at Tilburg municipality. This can be done with a special form. Tilburg municipality will then
inform the municipality where you are currently registered that you have moved.
3.1.1 How to register
For those who will be living in Tilburg, can use the form ‘Notification Change of Address’ which can
be collected from the Immigration Office.
If you will be living somewhere other than Tilburg, you must contact your local municipality yourself
to arrange for your registration.
After registration, degree-seeking student also have to add their Dutch address details to
Studielink. This is highly important for administrative purposes at Tilburg University.
3.1.2 Deregistration at Municipality
If you registered as a resident at the local municipality upon your arrival in Tilburg, you must
deregister before you leave the Netherlands. If you live in Tilburg, you can download the form
‘Notification of move abroad’ on the website of Tilburg municipality. At the appropriate time, the
Immigration Office will inform you.
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4.
ADDITIONAL ISSUES ON STUDYING AT TILBURG UNIVERSITY
4.1
Arrival
We would strongly recommend that all students arrive at Tilburg University on the Arrival Days and
attend the full Tilburg Orientation Program (TOP). Your School will inform you on the exact dates.
Tilburg Orientation Program is the introduction week for all Tilburg students: Dutch and foreign. In
addition to providing useful sessions introducing you to Tilburg University, Tilburg and the
Netherlands, the Immigration Officers will give a presentation about the immigration processes for
students who have just arrived in the Netherlands.
For more information about the Arrival Days and the Tilburg Orientation Program, please look at the
following link: http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/education/mastersprogrammes/practicalissues/afterarrival/arrivaldays/
4.2
Insurance
It is extremely important to have the correct insurance for your period of study in the Netherlands.
Below are the most important types of insurance. These types of insurance can be bought either in
one package, or in separate parts, taking into account your individual circumstances and any existing
insurance cover you may already have. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate
insurance cover for every day of your stay in the Netherlands. For further information, please click
here
Please make sure that you renew your insurance policies as and when required to ensure that you
have complete cover all the time.
4.2.1 Health insurance
Your policy must cover you for the following:
 repatriation on medical grounds
 urgent medical care
 emergency hospital treatment (including admission and treatment costs for a period of stay
in a hospital or psychiatric institution)
If you have private health insurance in your own country, please check with your insurance
company to check whether or not the coverage of your insurance meets these requirements.
4.2.2 Personal liability insurance
We also strongly recommend you to take out personal liability insurance for the duration of your
studies in the Netherlands. Personal liability insurance covers costs if you should accidentally injure
another person or accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property.
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4.2.3 Other insurance
Tilburg University advises you to take out insurance to cover loss or damage to your possessions
during your period of study (household content insurance) and travel insurance to cover your
belongings and medical care when you are travelling. However, some of this insurance cover may be
included in your current insurance package, particularly packages offered to international students.
Please therefore check with your insurance company to confirm details of the cover offered.
4.3
Travelling after arrival in the Netherlands
With your Dutch residence permit, you will be able to travel to the Schengen countries2. Tilburg
University’s Immigration Officers are not able to keep updated with the travel requirements for other
countries in Europe and we would therefore strongly recommend that you check requirements with
the embassy of the country to which you wish to travel, with the appropriate embassy in the
Netherlands.
4.4
Working and studying in the Netherlands
Although it is easy to survive in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch, it is difficult to get a job
here, even part time, without some knowledge of the Dutch language. The Immigration Office has
created a fact sheet, giving you more information about the requirements you will have to fulfill and
who to contact for more information about finding a part time job. This can be found in APPENDIX 1.
2
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland
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4.5
Study progress
These requirements apply only for degree-seeking students, NOT for exchange students.
4.5.1 Nominal duration of study
Every program of study at all Dutch institutions has a nominal duration (or length of study). This is
based on the fact that a student should be able to achieve 60 credits in one academic year.
The nominal duration of each study at Tilburg University is calculated as follows:
Total ECTS
Bachelor
180
Master
60
Research Master
120
60
60
60
3 years
1 year
2 years
ECTS each year
Nominal duration
4.5.2 ECTS credits requirement for Pre-Master programs
In case you have been accepted for a Pre-Master program, you need to complete the Pre-Master
program within one academic year. This means you need to obtain all ECTS allocated to your PreMaster program.
In case you do not complete your Pre-Master program within the aforementioned timeframe, we are
in principle required to deregister you with the IND. In this event, the Immigration Office will inform
you accordingly.
4.5.3 Study Progress Monitoring - ECTS credits requirements
In order to continue your studies in the Netherlands, the IND requires you to obtain a
minimum of 50% of the nominal number of ECTS per academic year or a part of it if you started
your studies later than 1 September.
For example:
Bachelor
Master
Research Master
Total ECTS
180
60
120
Total ECTS 1st year
60
60
60
Minimum ECTS
required by IND to
continue studies at
your current instituion
30
30
30
If you do not obtain these ECTS within one academic year, the IND will not renew your residence
permit and therefore you will no longer be able to continue your studies at Tilburg University.
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IMPORTANT
However, Tilburg University may have different ECTS requirements of its students in order for them
to continue to the next year of the program of study. If this is the case, students’ continuation will be
based on the highest requirements, either those of Tilburg University or the IND. Please check with
your Tilburg University School to confirm the requirements for your program of study.
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5.
1.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If my residence permit is based on another purpose than study, do I have to apply for a change
in purpose of stay, rather than just an extension to my current residence permit?*
The simple answer is ‘Yes’. Your current residence permit gives you the right to stay in the
Netherlands based on your study at a certain Dutch institution or another purpose like ‘Au Pair’.
As soon as one of these purposes changes, you have to inform the IND and ask for your purpose
of stay to be changed. However, this application also automatically extends your residence
permit for 1 year.
If you do not apply for this change, your residence permit will not be valid and you will not be
registered at Tilburg University. Furthermore you will be an illegal immigrant, not a distinction
which anyone would want. This carries risks such as deportation and lack of medical insurance.
It may also affect any future application you may make for either an entry visa or a residence
permit, both for the Netherlands and other European countries.
* You do not need to change the purpose of stay in case your purpose of stay is:
Stay with registered partner or spouse
Stay with family member
Stay with family member of privileged
Asylum
2.
Is there a deadline by which I have to apply for this CPS-application/ Extension?
You will have to pay the immigration fee within one week after you have received the email
invitation. Furthermore, in the first email you receive from the Immigration Office, there will be
a deadline by which you should send any required documents for approval.
This deadline is given:
 to ensure that you have time to arrange the documents which meet the requirements of
the IND
 to send or bring the original documents to the Immigration Officer of Tilburg University
 to allow the Immigration Officer to process and submit your application to the IND
 to allow the IND to process your application before Arrival Day or start date of your
program
Furthermore, Tilburg University must submit your application for a residence permit to the IND
before your current residence permit expires. If we do not do this, an immigration ‘gap’ will exist
in your status here in the Netherlands. Although this does not have any serious consequences
for you now, the consequences may become more important in the future.
3.
How long will my application take?
This is very difficult to answer. As a guideline, the IND has to process all applications within a
period of three months. However, this cannot be guaranteed during the busy months as May,
June, July, August, November, December and January. The most important thing to remember,
however, is that, even if your current residence permit has expired and you do not have your
new residence permit card, you are still legally resident in the Netherlands while your
application is in process.
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4.
How does the IND decide how much money I have to have?
The IND calculates the average cost per month for an international student to live in the
Netherlands, based on expenses such as insurance, accommodation and food. This monthly
amount is increased each year in line with inflation.
For 2016-2017, the rate for all students has been set as follows:
Semester
Period
Total needed amount for living
expenses
€ 4,375
For a stay of autumn semester
1 September until 31 January
For a stay of spring semester
1 February until 31 August
€ 6,125
For a stay of full academic year
1 September until 31 August OR
1 February until 31 January
€ 10,500
These living expenses are considered enough to pay for your rent, food, insurance and other
general expenses during your period of study. For your application, you need to demonstrate
that you have the whole amount available on your account (or that of your parent or your
sponsor, if they are supporting you), minus any grant you receive.
5.
How do I know that transfer of my living expenses will be safe?
Tilburg University has been dealing with the transfer of living expenses for a number of years.
We know how important it is to deal with this properly, as it is a lot of money. If you have to
transfer your living expenses, you will receive a Transfer Request Form from the Immigration
Office, indicating the amount of money you must transfer and giving the bank details you will
need to make this transfer. In this document, Tilburg University confirms how the money will be
used and when it will be transferred back to you.
We must wait until we receive written confirmation from our bank that the money has been
received. This can take between couples of days. However, as soon as we receive confirmation
from our bank, we will send you an email.
Example: Transfer Request Form
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Delays to us receiving money can be caused by:
 Transfers being made in a currency other than Euros
 The transfer being made to a different account
 The reference number not being given with the transfer
 The transfer being made in the name of someone else (e.g. a parent); if this happens,
please inform the Immigration Officer immediately.
6.
I want to transfer my living expenses to Tilburg University for my CPS-application/ extension.
When will I receive the money back?
When your application has been approved, you will receive an email from the Immigration
Officer. As soon as you arrived at Tilburg University and informed the Immigration Officer about
your Dutch bank account number and your Dutch address details, your living expenses will be
transferred into your Dutch bank account. More information will be given to you after arrival.
However, we cannot start the process of repayment until you are actually at Tilburg University.
7.
Can I start to prepare the documents now for my CPS-application/ extension?
No! There are several reasons for this. Firstly, until your details have been given to the
Immigration Officer, it is not certain exactly which documents you will need to provide, if any. In
addition, the IND requires that documents are less than 3 months old when your application is
submitted. Preparing documents too far in advance may mean that you have to request new
documents later in the year. After you have paid the immigration fee you receive the first email
from the Immigration Officer, you will be given internet links which will provide you with all the
information you need and examples of the documents required. The process is therefore as
simple as we can make it. We would therefore ask you to wait until you receive that email.
8.
The documents provided by my bank are not exactly the same as the example documents you
provided. Is that important?
Yes, it is important. The example documents we provide contain all the information to ensure
that your CPS/ extension-application will be approved without any delays and without the need
for additional documents to support your application. They have been created as a result of
both the requirements of the IND and our experience in applying for applications. Any
differences between the example documents and the documents provided by your bank could
mean that we will not be able to approve those documents and you will need to provide other
documents.
9.
Have you heard anything about the progress of my application?
The Immigration Officer will be informed by the IND directly if there is a problem with your
application or if it has been approved. If there is a problem with your application and we need
more information from you, we will contact you. However, you must also make sure that you
check your post as the IND may send a letter to you directly. This is particularly important if you
are going on holiday or if you will be moving house.
10. If I email/telephone you every day asking about the status of my application, will this speed
up my application?
The simple answer is ‘No’. The IND receives thousands of applications each year. Behind every
application is a story the same as yours and every application is therefore as important as the
next. However, the Immigration Office does have a procedure for following up applications with
the IND. This means that we pro-actively contact the IND if we think that an application is taking
too long. In this way, we keep track of the progress of applications. During spring and summer,
the Immigration Officers at Tilburg University will be very busy processing applications. Whilst it
is important that you contact us if you have any specific questions about your application (such
as documentation required), delays would be caused to all applications if all our applicants
telephoned or emailed us daily about the status of their applications. We would therefore ask
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you to be patient and trust that we will contact you immediately if there is either a problem
with your application or we receive approval.
11. What do I do if I lose my residence permit card?
Firstly, we would strongly advise you to photocopy both the back and front of your residence
permit AND scan it and email it to yourself so that you have access to it anywhere in the world.
If you lose your residence permit or it is stolen, you should do the following:
1) If you are outside the Netherlands when is lost/stolen:
 report the loss/theft to the local police and keep the original of the report
 contact the local Dutch Embassy/Consulate and ask them for advice
On your return to the Netherlands:
 report the loss/theft to the Dutch police and keep the original of the report
 contact the Immigration Officer to arrange a new residence permit during the walk-in
visiting hours.
2) If you are in the Netherlands when your residence permit is lost/stolen:
 report the loss/theft to the police and keep a copy of the report
 a new visa will not be issued, since you will already have applied for a residence permit. If
you need to travel abroad before you have your residence permit, please visit the
Immigration Officers during the walk-in visiting hours for advice.
Please be informed that IND charges 259 Euros for a new residence permit card, which you must pay
yourself.
12. What do I do if I change my address in the Netherlands?
If you move accommodation during your period of study in the Netherlands, you must always
inform:
 Tilburg University.
This can be done online via the University’s website.
Go to http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/ and click on ‘Change of address’.
 The Municipality where you are registered.
This should be done as soon as possible after you have moved.
For those who will be living in Tilburg, can use the form ‘Notification Change of Address’
which can be collected from the Immigration Office.
The Municipality of Tilburg details can be found via http://www.tilburg.nl/contact/
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6.
SHORT SUMMARY
The process of applying for an extension or a change in purpose of stay for your Dutch residence
permit is a joint effort between you and the Immigration Officers. We need your help and
cooperation to ensure your application is dealt with quickly, efficiently and successfully.
We would therefore ask you to do the following:
1. Check your email regularly.
The Immigration Officers will contact you directly via email about your application. In order to
avoid delay, we need you to respond quickly if we have any additional requests from the IND.
When you change your email address during the process, please inform the Immigration Office
and your school.
2. Follow the instructions given to you by the Immigration Officers.
Our expertise will ensure that, if you follow the instructions given, there should be no problems
with your application.
3. Contact the Immigration Officer if you do not understand the instructions given to you.
We are more than happy to explain what is required because it is important that you understand
what the requirements are.
4. Attend the immigration session during TOP- week about additional immigration information.
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7.
SCHEMATIC REPRODUCTION
7.1 Schematic reproduction of CPS and Extension application process
CPS / Extension-application for Dutch residence permit
You will receive a letter/email of acceptance from your Tilburg University School.
After the Immigration Office has received your dossier, you will receive an
email invite by the Immigration Office to pay the immigration fee of € 311 / €
156 Euros (plus transfer costs) through an online system. The Immigration
Office will only start up the procedure after you have paid the fee.
After these you will receive an email from the Immigration Officer asking to
complete some documents. Also any additional documents required to support
After you paid the immigration fee you will receive an e-mail from the Immigration
your
CPS/extension-application
will bePermit
askedapplication
for.
Officer
asking to complete the Residence
form, the passport photo
form and to upload a passport photo to a digital control system which indicates whether
the photo meets the biometric requirements set by the Dutch government. Also any
additional documents required to support your TEV- application will be asked for.
You must upload the required documents in the online system and click on
submit. The Immigration Officer will check them.
When the documents have been approved by the Immigration Officer, you
must send the original documents to the Immigration Officer by mail or hand
them in at the Immigration Office of Tilburg University.
The Immigration Officer will submit your CPS / Extension application to the IND
on your behalf.
You have to go to the IND desk to provide your biometric data if not done
before.
The Immigration Officer will receive approval of your application from the IND.
You will receive an email from the Immigration Officer informing you of the
approval of your application.
Your arrival at Tilburg University
You attend the immigration session during TOP-week and collect your residence
permit card from IND staff on campus OR from IND office in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
If you have moved to Tilburg, you must register at Municipality Tilburg. You will
be informed on arrival about how to register. If you will be living outside
Tilburg, you must contact the local municipality yourself.
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7.2 Schematic reproduction of process for students who hold a Dutch
residence permit for study purposes which is valid throughout the academic
year 2015-2016
Notification Application
You will receive a letter/email of acceptance from your Tilburg University School.
You will receive an email from the Immigration Officer asking to provide
financial documents in order to keep your residence permit for study purposes.
When the documents have been approved by the Immigration Officer, you must
send the original documents to the Immigration Officer by mail or hand them in
at the Immigration Office of Tilburg University.
The Immigration Officer will inform the IND on your behalf that you will
continue your studies at Tilburg University.
Your arrival at Tilburg University
You attend the immigration session during TOP-week.
If you have moved to Tilburg, you must register at Municipality Tilburg. You will
be informed on arrival about how to register. If you will be living outside
Tilburg, you must contact the local municipality yourself.
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8.
APPENDIX 1
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
AND PART TIME JOBS
Can I work during my studies in the Netherlands?
All students studying in the Netherlands are allowed to work in their spare time. However, what
documents are required and how many hours you are allowed to work differ according to the
nationality you have. Detailed below are the requirements and what you are entitled to do,
depending on the nationality you have.
Nationality
Documents Required
Working Hours
EU/EEA + Switzerland
No Work Permit required
Unlimited
Work Permit required
maximum of 10 hours per week
OR full time in June, July and
August
Work Permit required
Possibility of working for more
than 10 hours a week, but this
will be decided on an individual
basis
(except Croatians)
Non-EU/EEA
(with a Dutch residence permit for
study purposes)
Croatians
(with Verification against EU
Community Law)
What do I have to do before I can start to look for a job?
Non-EU/EEA nationalities:
You must have applied for a Residence Permit and have a letter from the Immigration Service
confirming that your application has been received
PLUS
All nationalities:
You must have a social security/citizenship number, also called ‘Burger Service Nummer’ or BSN.
This is given to you when you register at Municpality. It will take a number of weeks after your
appointment to register at Municipality before you receive this number, so if you are only staying in
the Netherlands for one semester or if you want to work immediately, you must make your own
appointment at Municipality. If you live in Tilburg, please ring 14 013 to make an appointment to
register. You will then be informed about the documents you must take with you to your
appointment.
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How do I apply for a Work Permit?
You cannot apply for a Work Permit (in Dutch is called TWV) yourself. Your employer must do that
for you at UWV (information is only available in Dutch;
http://www.uwv.nl/werkgevers/formulieren/werkvergunning-buitenlandse-werknemer.aspx).
You will need a Work Permit for each job that you have, so when you change jobs, your new
employer will have to apply for a new Work Permit. You must first, therefore have a job!
How do I find a part time job?
One of Tilburg University’s student organizations, I*ESN, assists international students in looking for
part-time jobs. Please go to http://www.iesntilburg.nl/. This will give you information about the rules,
regulations and suggestions as to how to look for a part-time job.
You can also try to find a job through an employment agency (‘uitzendbureau’ in Dutch). For details
of the employment agencies in Tilburg, go to www.yellowpages.nl and search for ‘employment
agency’. Some agencies specialize in jobs for students.
You can also look on the internet. Some examples of useful websites aimed specifically at non-Dutch
applicants include: www.undutchables.nl and www.dutchisnotrequired.nl
You can also use the Student Desk at Tilburg University. Located on the third floor of the Academia
building. The Student Desk has an extensive selection of useful information, including vacancy lists
and professional journals.
Please also take into account that international students who do not speak Dutch will have more
difficulty in finding a job than those who speak at least a small amount of Dutch.
What are the requirements for medical insurance when I am working?
All those working in the Netherlands, either part time or full time, must have a basic level of medical
insurance. This is not the same as the student medical insurance policy which you already have.
Students working at Tilburg University can take advantage of the University’s discount medical
insurance policy with CZ (a Dutch medical insurance company). Please see the following website for
more information: http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/studentlife/insurance/ and contact
Mr Frank Regouin (013 466 3392) if you have any questions regarding this.
Please remember that, in addition to medical insurance, you must also have liability insurance. You
can find information about this on the same website.
Do I have to pay tax?
You will be required to pay tax on your earnings, if you earn above a certain limit each calendar year.
This will be deducted by your employer from your pay before you receive it. Your employer also has
to make social security contributions to the Dutch government to support the payment of disability
pay and unemployment benefits. These are deducted from your pay before you receive it and will be
detailed on your pay slip. For a detailed explanation of these deductions, please ask your employer
for an explanation of your pay slip.
Do I have to stick to the rules?
We would obviously strongly recommend that you stick to the rules described above. However,
some students work in cafes or restaurants where they are paid without having deductions made for
either tax or social security contributions. This is illegal in the Netherlands and could have a negative
effect on your right to stay in the Netherlands. Another disadvantage is that you will not be insured
if you are working illegally, and if there is an accident at work, you will not be covered by your
insurance policy. This could have serious financial implications for you.
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The Office of Work Inspections has stated that a priority for 2011 was checking whether international
students work more than the hours allowed by law. Since then there is also increased cooperation
between the Immigration Service and the Office of Work Inspections students who are working
illegally.
Who should I contact if I have any questions about the above?
Subject
Residence Permit
Verification against EU Community Law
Registration at the Immigration Service
Part time jobs
Work Permit application
Burgerservicenummer (BSN)
Medical insurance
(for students working at Tilburg University only)
Medical insurance
(for students who are not working)
Immigration Office
Contact Person
Immigration Office (immigration@tilburguniversity.edu )
Immigration Office (immigration@tilburguniversity.edu )
Immigration Office (immigration@tilburguniversity.edu )
http://www.iesntilburg.nl/
www.yellowpages.nl
www.undutchables.nl
www.dutchisnotrequired.nl
Student Service Centre – third floor, Academia building
(A301)
Your employer
Municipality in the area in which you live
(Tilburg Municipality: telephone 14 013)
Frank Regouin
(F.C.G.Regouin@tilburguniversity.edu / or 013 466 3392)
http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/studentlife/insura
nce/
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