Validity residence permit

Validity residence permit 

If you hold a residence permit for study purposes, your residence permit is only valid as long as you are enrolled as a student at Utrecht University. When you graduate the validity of your residence permit for the purpose may depend on the expiration date on your residence permit card:

Will your residence permit card expire in less than three months after you terminated your enrolment after graduating?

Your residence permit card will stay valid until the expiration date on the residence permit. You must leave the country before this date or have applied for another residence permit.

Will your residence permit card expire in more than three months after the termination date of your enrolment after graduating?

Your residence permit for the purpose of study will become void three months after the termination date of your enrolment. This means you will have to leave the country before this date or have applied for another residence permit.

If you hold a residence permit for the purpose of study and terminate your enrolment without graduating your residence permit becomes void as of the date of termination of enrolment and you will be required to leave the country within 28 days. An exception to the 28-day rule is if your residence permit expires within three months after the termination of your enrollment, you have to leave the Netherlands before the date of expiry, rather than within 28 days.

Working after graduation

If you want to pursue a career in the Netherlands after graduation you can apply for an ‘Orientation year’ residence permit. This residence permit gives you the opportunity to find a suitable job within one year after obtaining your degree.

While you are searching for a job you will have to pay your own way, either from your own funds or by finding other (temporary) employment. You may not claim state benefits.

More information on how you can apply for this residence permit.