Immigrants desiring to stay in The Netherlands usually have to fulfill the time-consuming procedure of an application for MVV and residence permission.

After the initial MVV has been submitted, the foreigner is allowed to enter the Netherlands awaiting the application for the residence permit.As the IND is taking very long before deciding on the applications, renewals and further related procedures to the "vreemdelingenwet", the applicant may not want to wait all this time.

Leaving the country for a holiday or returning to the country of residence to visit family is expected.

Not having a holiday for one year (because the IND is taking that long to decide) can be quite frustrating. It doesn't have to be necessarily so.

The "vreemdelingenwet" offers the possibility to obtain a stamp (or sticker) in your passport granting you the right to go on a holiday outside of the Netherlands and safely be able to return to The Netherlands without a hassle with the immigration police.

To obtain a sticker call to the Gemeente to get an appointment. After that it is just going to the Gemeente, get the stamp and enjoy your stay.

What if you didn't get that important stamp?

Don't worry, the Dutch embassy in the country where you went can mediate in it. It won't be that easy, but probably they won't refuse your return visa neither.

In fact, you are still in the application for the residence permit, whilst you already obtained an MVV.

For more information call us at
06 19 220 201 or email us at dnauta@guapa.org

David Nauta LL.M