Immigration procedures
How does it work?
As a non-Dutch national, you have to follow the correct immigration procedures before you start working at the UM, as well as in general for your residence in the Netherlands. You might need, for example, a residence permit and a social security number, also known as a BSN. KCIS will guide you through the relevant processes for you, as well as advise you of your obligations as a resident.
Navigate below based on your nationality to get a general idea of what is applicable to your situation.
NON-EU
Nationals of countries that are not a member of the EU/EEA, Switzerland (European Union, European Economic Area) often referred to as Non-EU nationals, are required to have a valid work and residence permit to work and stay in the Netherlands. With the exception of a few nationalities, a long-stay visa (or MVV) is also applicable for residence periods longer than 90 days. Residence permits for employment and long-stay visa can only be requested by Maastricht University as the employer.
As soon as your employment information has been forwarded to our office internally, we will reach out to you with an invitation to access our immigration portal: VisaCare. Through this secure portal, you will be informed which documents specifically are required for your immigration procedures. If applicable, KCIS can also apply for your family member’s residence permits. Once you have logged in and verified your information is correct, you will then be able to upload the documents required. Your assigned KCIS contact person will then review the documents.
Note that you may be required to translate and legalise personal documents in your country of origin.
Click here to learn more about where and how to translate and legalise your foreign documents for use in the Netherlands.
Navigate further below based on the duration of your stay to see which procedures would possibly be applicable to you.
In exceptional situations, such as non-EU citizens that hold a refugee status, KCIS will advise according to the latest released governmental information.
Short-stay: shorter than 90 days
Visits up to 90 days are known as short-stay visits. For a short-stay visit, you do not need a Dutch residence permit. However, depending on your nationality, you may need a short-stay visa (also known as Schengen visa) for the Netherlands. Please check Netherlandsworldwide for more information on visas. Applying for a short-stay visa is your own responsibility and not something KCIS can directly assist with. If you are in paid employment, you will also need a BSN number.
KCIS will provide you with a work permit exemption letter for your short-stay in the Netherlands. This letter confirms to the local authorities that you are legally working in the Netherlands for the period mentioned in the letter.
Cross-border work
If you have a non-EU nationality and you will get a Dutch residence permit, you cannot live outside the Netherlands. In some cases, perhaps you can get a residence permit for a different Schengen country on personal grounds. The foreign residence permit is your own responsibility. If that is the case, you can also work for Maastricht University as a cross-border worker as long as you do scientific work. If you meet this requirement, KCIS will provide you with a work permit exemption letter. Contact our office for more information or ask your HR advisor to contact our office.
Working across the border can also affect your tax and social security situation. See this page for more information about this.
EU
The countries of the EU:
| Austria | France | Malta |
| Belgium | Germany | The Netherlands |
| Bulgaria | Greece | Poland |
| Croatia | Hungary | Portugal |
| Cyprus* | Ireland | Romania |
| Czech Republic | Italy | Slovakia |
| Denmark | Latvia | Slovenia |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Spain |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Sweden |
+EEA countries : Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
+Switzerland
The countries of the EU also include: The Åland Islands, The Azores, The Canary Islands, French Guiana, Gibraltar, Guadaloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion and Saint Martin.
Short stay: shorter than 90 days
As you have an EU nationality, you are free to work and live in the Netherlands. If you need a BSN number, e.g. for salary payment, you can get one at an RNI desk of your choice. For a short stay, you do not need to register in the municipal database.
RNI Heerlen (closest to Maastricht)
General list of RNI desks in the Netherlands
Cross-border work
EU-citizens are free to live across the border in Belgium or Germany while working in the Netherlands. If you do not yet have a BSN number, e.g. for salary payment, you can obtain one at an RNI desk of your choice.
Working across the border can also affect your tax and social security situation. See this page for more information about this.