TOOL
Netherlands Visa Timeline Estimator
Estimate how long your Dutch visa or residence route may take, including document prep, official decision periods, application stages, and practical move timing.
The IND decision period is only part of your move timeline. Prep, sponsor or school timing, documents, housing, and travel all add weeks or months.
Choose your route and stage below for a planning estimate—not a guarantee. Confirm current processing times with the IND or your sponsor.
Before you start
Planning ranges only — official decision periods and real timelines can vary.
Estimate your visa timeline
Visa route
Which route best matches your move?
Click "Use this scenario" to prefill the tool. You can then adjust answers and see your estimate.
Indian software engineer on Highly Skilled Migrant route
Non-EU professional with a Dutch job offer from a recognized sponsor; estimating full timeline from doc prep to move.
Sponsor submission and IND 90-day decision; doc prep often 1–2 months.
Use this scenario →US entrepreneur comparing DAFT timing
American planning to work as self-employed in the Netherlands under DAFT.
Business doc prep and 90-day IND decision; plan 3–6 months total.
Use this scenario →UK student moving for university
Non-EU student with admission; planning visa and move timeline.
Institution submits application; 60-day decision period typical.
Use this scenario →South African partner–family move
Joining a partner in the Netherlands; relationship and sponsor docs in progress.
Partner route has 90-day decision period; civil docs and sponsor proof can add lead time.
Use this scenario →Self-employed consultant still preparing documents
Non-DAFT self-employed professional; business and viability docs not yet complete.
Self-employed route can take 90 days (or longer if extended); doc prep is critical.
Use this scenario →Couple trying to move within 2 months
One partner has job offer; both want to move soon. Checking if timeline is realistic.
Aggressive target; depends on submission date and IND processing.
Use this scenario →Recommended immigration lawyers
For complex cases or tailored advice, these Dutch immigration law firms specialise in residence permits, work visas, DAFT, family reunification, and related matters. Fees and services vary; contact them directly for quotes.
Everaert Advocaten Immigration Lawyers
Full-service immigration practice: work visas (HSM, EU Blue Card), DAFT, self-employed permits, family reunification, naturalisation, and residence permit extensions. English-speaking team in Amsterdam.
Typical costs
Consultation €150–350; full application support by hourly rate (typically €150–300/hr). Confirm current fees with the firm.
+31 (0)20 752 32 00 · lawyers@everaert.nl
Orion Immigration Law
Specialist in Dutch immigration and nationality law. Advice and representation for private clients and businesses: residence permits, extensions, and complex cases.
Typical costs
Initial consultation typically €150–250; full applications from c. €1,000. Quote provided on request.
Contact via website form.
Franssen Advocaten
Amsterdam-based firm focused on immigration and international family law. Work visas, DAFT, partner and family reunification, and residence permit applications.
Typical costs
Consultation typically €150–300; residence permit applications from c. €750. Fees confirmed before engagement.
+31 (0)20 66 319 66
Pathway Partners
Immigration and legal services for residence permits, visa extensions, objections (bezwaar) and appeals. Family reunification, employment and self-employment permits, naturalisation. Free eligibility assessments available.
Typical costs
Free eligibility check. Residence permit applications typically €750–1,500; objections/appeals from c. €900. Fixed or hourly by service.
Amsterdam; contact via website.
Fragomen (Amsterdam)
Global immigration consultancy with an Amsterdam office. Suited to corporate relocations and high-volume work-permit programmes, as well as individual cases.
Typical costs
Corporate and individual; typical range €1,000–2,500+ depending on case. Quote on request.
Contact via website.
Recommended services
Recommended services
These services may help with different parts of your move timeline. Timelines and provider response times can vary.
Fragomen
Global immigration law firm with a Netherlands practice. Handles corporate immigration, work permits, and relocations for employers and individuals.
Visit site →Pathway Partners
Amsterdam-based immigration and legal services for individuals and businesses. Employment visas (HSM, Blue Card, ICT), self-employment permits, family reunification, naturalisation, objections (bezwaar), and humanitarian residence. Free eligibility assessment and consultation.
Visit site →
bunq
Digital bank with expat-friendly signup and multi-currency options. Often used for quick account setup and international use.
Visit site →Funda
Major Dutch platform for homes for sale and rent. Listings from estate agents and landlords across the Netherlands.
Visit site →
Simyo
Dutch SIM-only mobile brand (KPN network). Often used for straightforward prepaid or monthly plans and quick local number setup.
Visit site →
Zilveren Kruis
One of the largest Dutch health insurers (Achmea). Broad care network, basic and supplementary packages; widely recognised by expats.
Visit site →Expat2Holland
Relocation and settling-in support for internationals, including housing, registration, and practical onboarding.
Visit site →
Independer
Compare Dutch basic health and other insurance when you are choosing a policy.
Visit site →How to use it
What this tool does
Estimates how long your visa route and pre-move preparation may take.
What it includes
Document prep, application stage, official decision periods, travel planning, and first-step arrival timing.
What you get
A personalized timing estimate, phase-by-phase timeline, risk flags, and suggested next steps.
How long does it take to move to the Netherlands on a visa route?
Total time usually includes document prep, sponsor or school steps, then the IND decision period, then travel and arrival admin. Bottlenecks are often civil documents, translations, and housing—not only processing days on the permit.
Pair this estimate with the Visa Checker and Document Readiness Checker; confirm dates with the IND or your sponsor before you book travel.
What happens next
Highly Skilled Migrant
Salary, sponsor, documents, and process.
EU Blue Card
Salary thresholds and process.
DAFT
US entrepreneur route: process and documents.
Self-Employed Visa
Business documents and requirements.
Student Visa
Admission and proof of funds.
Partner & Family Visa
Requirements and application steps.
Moving to the Netherlands
Full relocation guide.
Move without a job offer
Routes when you don't have a job offer.
EU vs non-EU moving
How citizenship affects your options.
Official sources
Official sources and further reading
For current decision periods, rules, and procedures, refer to the IND and Dutch government.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your route. The IND has statutory decision periods—often 60 or 90 days—for most residence permit applications. That is only the official processing time. Your total timeline also includes document preparation, sponsor or institution steps, and post-approval move planning. Use this tool to get an estimated range for your situation.
No. The IND decision period is the legal processing time for the application. Your total move timeline can be longer because of document gathering, translations or apostille, sponsor or school timing, appointment availability, travel booking, and first-week admin. This tool separates official decision period from prep and post-approval phases.
Work routes with a recognized sponsor (e.g. Highly Skilled Migrant) can be relatively fast once the employer submits a complete file. Student applications are often coordinated by the institution with a 60-day decision period. Self-employed and partner routes typically have 90-day decision periods and may involve more document complexity. Your own document readiness and sponsor timing have a big impact.
The self-employed route may involve extra IND review and viability checks; the decision period can be extended in some cases. Partner and family routes often require more civil documents (birth, marriage, relationship proof) and sponsor evidence, which can add lead time before submission. Both routes have a 90-day statutory decision period.
As early as possible. Document preparation—especially civil documents, translations, and apostille or legalization—often takes weeks or months. Use the Document Readiness Checker to see what you need for your route and plan accordingly.
Temporary housing is often needed for arrival and registration; many people start searching once they have a likely approval timeline or submission date. Long-term housing can be planned after approval or in parallel. Do not commit to long-term leases before you have clarity on your visa outcome.
Yes. Choose “Not sure yet” and you will get broad timing ranges. For a more accurate estimate, use the Visa Checker first to find your likely route, then return here.
No. This tool gives planning ranges only. Official decision periods and real timelines depend on IND workload, completeness of your file, and your specific situation. Always confirm current processing times with the IND or your sponsor.
Use the Document Readiness Checker to see what you still need, the Visa Application Plan to build a step-by-step roadmap, and the Visa Cost Calculator and Relocation Cost Estimator to budget. Link your timeline to the Moving Checklist and First 90 Days Planner for practical sequencing.
Use the Visa Checker to confirm your route, the Document Readiness Checker to see document gaps, the Visa Application Plan for a step-by-step roadmap, the Visa Cost Calculator and Relocation Cost Estimator for budgeting, and the Moving Checklist and First 90 Days Planner for arrival and settlement sequencing.