Why Bangladeshi Students Choose the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers one of Europe's widest ranges of fully English-medium degree programs — over 2,000 — at globally top-ranked universities, with a straightforward institution-led visa process since your university applies for your residence permit on your behalf.
নেদারল্যান্ডসে ২,০০০-এর বেশি সম্পূর্ণ ইংরেজি মাধ্যম ডিগ্রি প্রোগ্রাম রয়েছে, এবং ভিসা প্রক্রিয়া তুলনামূলক সহজ কারণ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় নিজেই রেসিডেন্স পারমিটের জন্য আবেদন করে।
Institution-led visa process: unlike most countries, your Dutch university or college typically submits your MVV and residence permit application to the IND on your behalf — you just supply the documents.
প্রতিষ্ঠান-চালিত ভিসা প্রক্রিয়া: আপনার ডাচ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় সাধারণত আপনার পক্ষে IND-এর কাছে আবেদন করে।
Universities & Popular Programs
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
One of the world's top technical universities, especially strong in Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture.
University of Amsterdam
Highly ranked for Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Data Science Master's programs.
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Home to the renowned Rotterdam School of Management, popular for MBA and Business Master's.
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Top choice for Engineering, Data Science, and Innovation Management.
Utrecht University
Consistently ranked among Europe's best, strong in Sciences and Sustainability programs.
Wageningen University & Research
World's top-ranked university for Agricultural Sciences and Food Technology.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Data Science, Engineering, Business & Management, Agricultural & Food Sciences, Sustainability.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's tuition per year | €8,000 - €15,000 |
| Master's tuition per year | €10,000 - €20,000 |
| Living costs per month | €800 - €1,100 |
Smaller university towns such as Wageningen, Enschede, and Groningen offer noticeably cheaper student housing than Amsterdam.
ওয়াখেনিঙেন, এন্সখেডে ও খ্রনিঙেনে আমস্টারডামের তুলনায় থাকার খরচ কম।
Scholarships & Funding
Holland Scholarship — a nationally coordinated scholarship of €5,000 offered by the Dutch government and participating universities to non-EEA students, including Bangladeshis, for their first year of a Bachelor's or Master's program.
University-specific scholarships — many Dutch universities (e.g. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Erasmus Trustfonds) offer partial-to-full tuition scholarships for high-achieving international students; check each university's scholarship database when applying.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents (submitted to your institution)
- Valid passport.
- Official letter of admission from the Dutch institution.
- Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial means.
- Proof of payment of tuition fees.
- Antecedents certificate (a declaration that you have no criminal record).
- Tuberculosis (TB) test declaration form.
- Attested academic transcripts and diplomas.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your official letter of acceptance from a Dutch institution.
- Submit all required documents (passport, financial proof, academic transcripts, TB declaration) directly to your institution.
- Your institution applies to the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) on your behalf for both the MVV entry visa and your residence permit.
- Wait for IND approval — once approved, the Embassy in Dhaka is notified and you're contacted to make an appointment.
- Book an appointment with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka to have the MVV placed in your passport.
- Attend your appointment, submitting your passport and photos; biometric data (fingerprints and photo) is also collected.
- Pay the applicable fee — the residence permit application fee (currently around €228) is typically paid by the student to the institution, which forwards it to the IND; a separate VFS/embassy service fee applies for MVV collection.
- Travel to the Netherlands and complete your municipal registration (BRP) shortly after arrival.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit application (study) | ~€228 |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Road 90, House 49, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Respond promptly to any document requests from your institution's international office — since they submit the IND application, delays on your end delay the whole process.
- Have your TB test done at a WHO/IND-approved facility once you know your MVV appointment window.
- Complete your BRP (municipal) registration within 5 days of arrival — it's required for opening a Dutch bank account and getting a BSN number.
Work Rights
International students may work part-time up to 16 hours per week during term, or full-time during the official summer holiday months (June, July, August) — this requires the employer to hold a valid work permit (TWV) on your behalf, arranged through the employer.
শিক্ষার্থীরা সেমিস্টার চলাকালীন সপ্তাহে ১৬ ঘণ্টা এবং গ্রীষ্মের ছুটিতে পূর্ণ-সময় কাজ করতে পারেন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (English-medium) | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| Master's (English-medium) | 6.5 - 7.0 | 58 - 65 |
Some technical Master's programs also require a minimum GPA or GRE score alongside the English proficiency requirement — check each university's admission page.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
Application & Acceptance
Apply via Studielink and receive your official letter of admission.
Documents to Institution
Submit financial proof, TB declaration, and transcripts so your institution can file with the IND.
Embassy Appointment
Attend your MVV appointment at the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka.
Arrival & BRP Registration
Arrive, register with your municipality (BRP), and get your BSN number.
FAQ
Do I apply for the visa myself? Mostly no — your Dutch institution files the IND application on your behalf; you only need to attend the Embassy appointment in Dhaka to collect the MVV.
Is there an embassy in Dhaka? Yes — the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is located in Gulshan 2, Dhaka, making the final visa collection step straightforward.
Can I work part-time? Yes, up to 16 hours/week during term or full-time in summer, provided your employer secures a work permit (TWV).