NetherlandsWorldwide

Applying for a long-stay visa (MVV) for residents of Pakistan

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).

In Pakistan, you can apply for this visa at the Netherlands embassy in Islamabad.

Do I need an MVV and/or a residence permit?

You should check whether you need an MVV and/or a residence permit. This depends on things like your nationality and the purpose of your stay.

Applying for a residence permit and an MVV

You can apply for a residence permit and an MVV in 2 ways:

  • through a host in the Netherlands (such as an employer, family member or educational institution)
  • in person at a Netherlands embassy or consulate-general

If you have a host in the Netherlands, in most cases your host will have to submit the application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

First check whether you need to take the civic integration examination.

What is your situation?

Applying through a host in the Netherlands

Depending on the purpose of your stay, your host may have to submit the application in the Netherlands. This applies if the purpose of your stay is:

  • study
  • work
  • a work placement
  • co-habiting with or marrying someone who lives in the Netherlands
  • family reunification

In these cases your host will be an educational institution, your employer, a family member or your spouse or partner.

Applying yourself at an embassy or consulate-general

For the following purposes of stay you should submit your application for an MVV and residence permit yourself:

Attention: You will find the application form and all information about the required documents and the application procedure on the IND website.

Long-stay visa for residents of this country or region

Apply for a long-stay visa (MVV) at the Netherlands embassy in Islamabad. Make an appointment by sending an email to isl-ca@minbuza.nl.

Collect your MVV

After submitting your application, you can collect your MVV the next day (Monday to Thursday between 14:00 and 15:00). If you prefer, your passport with MVV will be sent to you through VFS Global / Gerry’s.

Long-stay (student) visa for Finland

The Netherlands embassy in Islamabad only represents Finland for short-stay visa.

If you wish to apply for a student visa (a student residence permit) for Finland for longer than 90 days, you can submit your application at the embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), in New Delhi (India) or in Kathmandu (Nepal).

You can also visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service for further advice on the application procedure.