Applying for a long-stay visa (MVV) for residents of Nigeria
If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).
You can only apply for an MVV at the consulate-general in Lagos if the purpose of your stay is knowledge migrant. For all other categories, you can submit your application at the Netherlands embassy in Cotonou, Benin or at the Netherlands embassy in Accra, Ghana.
MVV applications for knowledge migrants
Your employer must submit the application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in the Netherlands.
Your host can submit the application directly to the IND. The IND website has a list of the documents your host will need to provide. It also explains how your host can apply for your residence permit. If you have any questions about this, you can contact the IND.
The IND will send your host a letter confirming that the application has been approved. The letter also explains how you can apply for an MVV and what documents you need.
You must apply for your MVV at the consulate-general within 3 months of receiving this letter.
Take the following documents to your appointment:
- The MVV issue form.
- Your passport and a photocopy of the personal details page. Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages.
- If you live in a country of which you are not a national: your residence permit (or equivalent) and a photocopy of the permit.
- A photo that meets Dutch requirements.
- A copy of the letter stating that your application has been approved.
- Your alien registration number (V number, which is mentioned on the MVV approval letter).
- All other documents listed in the letter from the IND and a photocopy of each of these documents.
Your MVV will be ready for you to collect from the consulate-general within 15 working days.
Verify that the information on your visa is correct. This includes your name and the visa’s validity period.
Read more about the information on your visa
If any of the information is incorrect, contact the consulate-general where you applied for your MVV.
You must travel to the Netherlands with the MVV in your passport. The IND will let your host know when your residence permit is ready. You can then make an appointment at the IND office to collect your permit.
You can make an appointment by sending an email to lag-ca@minbuza.nl. Mention your V number, contact details and the start date of your employment.