Cultural exchange residence permit

You are at least 18 and no more than 30 years old at the time of the application. Except when you are between the ages of 15 and 18 and it is stated in the exchange programme that this is allowed. You previously did not have a residence permit in the Netherlands.

You are going to temporarily live in the Netherlands for an exchange programme via a recognised exchange organisation (recognised sponsor). You are going to learn about the Dutch culture and society during your stay with the host family. And by doing activities of the exchange organisation and following an education. You are not going to take care of people who need special care for which you must have a specific skill. For example nursing tasks.

If you want to do volunteer work in the Netherlands via the European Solidarity Corps, you must have a contract with a recognised exchange organisation .

Only an exchange organisation recognised by the IND can apply for you.

You are going to live with a host family that is registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basis Registratie Personen (BRP)).

Your host family consists of 2 or more persons. These persons have the Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit for the Netherlands. You have not previously worked for the host family, in the Netherlands or abroad.

The exchange organisation has a list of documents you need. Collect all documents before the exchange organisation applies. Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

If you want to do volunteer work in the Netherlands via the European Solidarity Corps, you must have a contract with a recognised exchange organisation .

You have enough money to pay for your stay in the Netherlands.

On the back of your residence permit it says: Work permit not required for specific work, other work not permitted

With the residence permit for cultural exchange purposes, you may only do volunteer work. This must be explained in the exchange programme. No work permit (TWV) is needed for volunteer work.

You have not signed a contract with a host family, intermediary agency (Dutch or foreign) or exchange organisation in which it is stated that you must pay a financial penalty, if you do not comply with the contract. You have not paid any fees to an intermediary agency (Dutch or foreign) or exchange organisation for a security deposit.

The residence permit for cultural exchange purposes is valid for a maximum of 1 year. The residence permit for volunteer work via European Solidarity Corps is valid for the period that you do volunteer work, with a maximum of 1 year. You must meet the requirements throughout this time. You may switch to a different host family or a different exchange agency. The exchange agency must, however, notify the IND of this.

You cannot extend the residence permit for cultural exchange.