The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has reported an impressive success rate in approving residence permit applications for non-EU students. According to an IND spokesperson, the meticulous multi-stage review process implemented by the service has led to a nearly 100% approval rate for these applications. Last year, 99% of applications were approved, and early data for 2024 indicates a similarly high approval rate.
A significant portion of the international student body in the Netherlands—approximately 25%—comes from outside the European Union. The largest groups of these students hail from China, India, the United States, Türkiye, and Indonesia.
The IND clarified that the majority of residence permit applications are submitted by higher education institutions on behalf of their students. These academic institutions first evaluate whether the student meets the required criteria before submitting the application to the IND. This pre-screening by the institutions ensures that almost all applications meet the necessary standards, allowing the IND to maintain its high approval rates.
Continuing a tradition from previous years, the IND will distribute residence permits during the national award days, scheduled for August 24, September 14, and October 5, at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. On each of these days, around 7,000 permits are issued, ensuring that students receive their documents in a timely manner. This efficient process is supported by the collective efforts of IND staff from various departments, all working together to ensure the smooth delivery of residence permits to international students.