COVID-19 immigration measures

For employees and employers

Due to the measures of the Dutch government to combat COVID-19, the Dutch Immigration Authorities (IND), the Municipalities, the Municipal Health Services (GGD) and other public services have taken several measures and adjusted their services.

Want to know which measures and adjustments of services apply to your situation? View the table below.

More information
Our immigration specialists have compiled remarks per immigration-related measure. To make this information easily accessible for you, there are separate pages for these remarks. You can visit these pages by clicking the link on the associated measure in the table below.

What to do?	General
The IND has approved your application (and you do not need an entry visa (MVV)) and you want to travel to the Netherlands.	Please check the if the country you live in is ranked as epidemiologically safe. If so, you are allowed to enter the Netherlands taking all COVID-19 measures into account. If not, note that additional documents/statements might be required (for example the positive decision from the IND). Upon arrival in the Netherlands additional COVID-19 measures may apply.
The IND has approved your TEV-application (including entry visa (MVV) and you want to collect your entry visa (MVV).	Please check with the Dutch Embassy or Consulate whether collection of your entry visa (MVV) is possible. Upon collection of your entry visa (MVV), you should be able to travel to the Netherlands based on your entry visa (MVV), taking all COVID-19 measures into account. Upon arrival in the Netherlands additional COVID-19 measures may apply.
You have a valid entry visa (MVV) for the Netherlands or another Schengen country and you want to travel to the Netherlands.	You should be able to travel to the Netherlands, taking all COVID-19 measures into account. Upon arrival in the Netherlands additional COVID-19 measures may apply.
You are not able to collect your entry visa (MVV) within 3 months or your entry visa (MVV) has expired, because you were not able to travel to the Netherlands before the expiration date of your entry visa (MVV).	Please contact the Dutch Embassy or Consulate to schedule a new appointment. At the appointment you should explain why you could not pick up your entry visa (MVV) sooner or why you could not travel with your entry visa (MVV). Might you join your company in the Netherlands at a later date, this should also be reported within 4 weeks of the start date of the employment or start date of the Dutch residence permit.
Appointments at the IND desks	You should be able to schedule an appointment online for providing your biometric details, collection of a residence endorsement sticker, return visa of your Dutch residence permit. The IND has taken measures to combat COVID-19 at all desks, please take these into account when you visit the IND.
Appointments at the Municipal Authorities	You should be able to schedule an appointment with the local Municipal Authorities, for example for registration in the Dutch population register or exchange of your driving licence. Please contact your local Municipal Authorities for scheduling an appointment or additional information with regard to their measures to combat COVID-19.
Appointments at the Municipal Health Services (GGD)	You should be able to schedule an appointment with the nearest Municipal Health Services (GGD) to, for example, undergo a TB test. Please contact your nearest GGD for scheduling an appointment or additional information with regard to their measures to combat COVID-19.
Appointments at the Dutch bank	Might you need a Dutch bank account for receiving your salary, most banks are still open for opening a bank account. Please contact a local bank for scheduling an appointment or additional information with regard to their measures to combat COVID-19.
You (temporarily) no longer meet the conditions of your residence purpose in the Netherlands.	Under the obligation to provide information, you must report this to the IND within 4 weeks. This might affect your residence rights. Furthermore, we advise you to make sure that you record these changes because of your duty to keep records.
Your Dutch residence permit will expire and your new Dutch residence permit is not available yet.	When you have submitted the application for extension of your new Dutch residence permit prior to the expiration date of your current Dutch residence permit, you should be allowed to stay and work in the Netherlands based on the fact that you have submitted the application on time. Might you still need to collect a residence endorsement sticker and, when you will be travelling, a return visa. You should be able to schedule an appointment online at the IND desk. The IND has taken measures to combat COVID-19 at all desks, please take these in to account when you visit the IND.
Your Dutch residence permit expired/you no longer have the right to stay in the Netherlands, but you cannot travel back to your country.	You could request an extension of your Dutch residence permit. If an extension is not possible (namely, you do not have an employer anymore), you must leave the Netherlands, if possible. The Dutch government understands that it may be difficult to return during this period, therefore, the Dutch government will be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than allowed. Nevertheless, the Dutch government does expect you to try to return to your country. If you cannot leave the country, you should create a file with evidence of e.g. no flights.
You are abroad and are not able to return to the Netherlands.	Under the obligation to provide information, it might be necessary to report this to the IND. This depends on, for example, whether the employment will temporarily be continued abroad and how many days you have spent abroad during the last year. Furthermore, please be informed with a residence permit, you may only be abroad for a certain period of time. How long you may stay outside the Netherlands depends on which Dutch residence permit you have. If you are unable to travel back to the Netherlands due to the measures against COVID-19 and you can explain this, there should be no consequences for your Dutch residence permit. Might your residence permit expire while you are abroad, you need an entry visa (MVV) or return visa to travel back to the Netherlands without a valid Dutch residence permit. Please contact contact the Dutch Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment for collection of an entry visa (MVV).
You are / your employee is outside the Netherlands and need / needs a Citizen service number (BSN), but cannot travel to the Netherlands.	A Citizen service number (BSN) for an employee can be requested for in writing from the Dutch Tax Authorities even if the employee still lives abroad.
Your Dutch residence permit will expire.	You must apply for extension of your Dutch residence permit before the expiration date. If your employment will not be continued, but your Dutch residence permit expires you are supposed to leave the Netherlands on or prior to the expiration date of your Dutch residence permit.
Your short-stay visa will expire soon or has expired.	Under specific circumstances, you could apply for extension of your short-stay visa if you meet certain criteria. If you have extended your short-stay visa, it is only valid in the Netherlands. However, you should be allowed to travel to an airport in another Schengen country to take a flight to your country of origin. Nevertheless, you are not allowed to stay in another Schengen country with your extended visa and therefore additional proof may be required when crossing borders.
Your permit-exempt term will expire soon or has expired and you cannot leave the Netherlands.	You cannot apply for an extension of a permit-exempt term and you do not have to report this to the IND. The Dutch government understands that it may be more difficult to return during this period. The government will therefore be less strict in controlling people who stay longer than is allowed. But the government does expect you to try to return when your right of residence expires.