Today we received new updates from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) about the measures due to the coronavirus situation. In this post we would like to sum up the most important changes.
International travel changes
- Issuance of MVV entry visa – Dutch embassies will still not issue these visas sooner than the 6th of April 2020, unless there is an urgent case. There would be an urgent case if you are a highly skilled migrant, employee or researcher with work or research that falls under an essential profession or vital processes. In that case, you would only to be able to obtain the visa sooner if you can manage to travel to The Netherlands without restrictions and if you can explain the urgency which must be related to the essential profession or vital process.
- Collecting MVV entry visa – When the appointment at the embassy already took place and the collecting of the passport with MVV was not possible within 3 months due to closure of the embassy, the period for collecting the MVV can be extended with another 3 months. We can assist with extending this period, by contacting the authorities.
- Expiry of MVV entry visa and flight restrictions – For those who have collected their MVV, but due to travel restrictions did not manage to travel to The Netherlands within 90 days after the issuance of the MVV, it is possible to get a new MVV. We can assist with extending this period, by contacting the authorities after which the embassy will issue a new MVV entry visa, also with a new 90-day period.
In addition to the updates above, we would like to address that the entry into The Netherlands on the basis of an MVV entry visa falls under the travel ban exemptions mentioned by the Dutch government. However, it is important to note that the actual entry to The Netherlands (even in a possession of a valid MVV entry visa) depends on two additional factors: 1) home-country specific rules and regulations regarding leaving the home country and 2) the border control at the departing country, as well as the border control and entrance in The Netherlands. The IND communicated to us that arriving in The Netherlands with a valid MVV will not lead to a denial of entry.
Important immigration changes in the Netherlands
- IND APPOINTMENTS – The IND desks are still closed up to and including the 6th of April. However, until that date it may be possible to make an appointment for collecting residence permit cards if it is a first card and when an urgent matter applies. Examples of urgent matters are the need of the actual card in order to apply for Dutch health insurance or to register at the city hall. Appointments for this should be made over the phone instead of via the online appointment system.
For more information, please visit the IND website. If you need assistance or have any other question based on the information above, you can contact us at the phone number: +31 (0) 345 580 381.
