Netherlands Embassy in Beijing, China

Frequently Asked Questions about MVV

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Where can I find information about the Civil Integration Test?

  • If you want to know more about the examination, you can order an information leaflet. Either call 0900 1234561 (€0.10 a minute) or go to the website of the IND.
  • The embassy cannot provide teaching material or preparation material for the examination. If you want to know more about the examination and how to prepare for it, go to http://www.naarnederland.nl.
  • This website offers more information about the civic integration exams.

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Where can I get information about the status of my current MVV application?

IND information line: 0900-1234561 (or +31-208.893.045 if you call from outside the Netherlands) Website IND

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I applied for MVV at the Embassy/Consulate General and my referent/university has already received the approval for the MVV. Why have I not heard from the Embassy yet?

The Embassy/Consulate can only inform you after receiving the original approval from IND. This may take two weeks. No decision will be taken based on the letter IND sent to your referent/University. If you know that the decision was sent to the Embassy/Consulate, you can ask for information by sending an e-mail to:


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I have a question regarding language tests. How can I contact N.E.S.O. (Netherlands Education Support Office)?

Please refer to the NESO website: http://www.nesochina.org/

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My referent applied for the MVV advisory procedure in the Netherlands and has already received the positive advice from IND. Why have I not heard from the Embassy yet?

The Embassy is informed by IND through e-mail, fax or regular mail. In the last case it can take two or three weeks. After receiving the letter, the Embassy will contact the applicant at the address given by IND. If you send your e-mail address or fax number to the Visa and Consular department, you will be notified when to apply for your MVV (if your referent/University started the advisory procedure in the Netherlands) or when to pick your MVV (if you started the MVV procedure at the Embassy).

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What are notarised certificates? Where can I legalise my notarised certificates?

Foreign documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licences etc. can only be used in administrative procedures in the Netherlands after legalisation of the document by the Ministry of Foreign affairs in the country of origin, followed by the legalisation by the Netherlands Embassy in that same country. In China, local authorities require that a Notary makes a certificate, based on a Chinese official document. It is the Notarial Certificate that is legalised. For Dutch procedures, the notary must also make a 'certified copy' of the Chinese document he used as reference for the notarial certificate. The certified copy must also be legalised!

For more information, check under 'Legalisation of documents'.

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Why do I still have to complete an application form and submit documents if my long term visa (MVV) was applied for and approved in the Netherlands?

The procedure started by the referent in the Netherlands is only a request for advice in view of a possible MVV application abroad. If the advice by IND is negative, only the referent is informed. If the advice is positive, the referent and the Embassy are informed. The Embassy will contact the applicant (if the referent provided sufficient and correct contact information to IND!) who can come to the Embassy to apply for the MVV with the necessary documents. If the application is complete and there are no further questions, the MVV will be issued in 3 working days. It is however possible that the Embassy/Consulate General needs to consult IND again. The applicant will then be informed when to pick up the final decision.

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Can somebody else apply for me or pick up my passport?

Application for MVV must be done in person.

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