Dutch MVV: Can you travel to other Schengen countries?

[beast89]

Hello,

I have a question regarding travel to the Schengen countries. I am an Indian student who is going to be studying at the University of Amsterdam. I was told that I need to apply for an MVV (Class D Visa). My course begins on September first. I would also like to spend the summer in Germany, if possible (i.e. roughly July and August) for tourism purposes and to study German.

I would like to know if the Dutch MVV will allow me to stay in Germany for a month or two before going to the Netherlands.

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Beast

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

I would suggest that you email the German embassy and ask them what to do.

Has your visa been issued or are you just making plans?

[beast89]

Hello and thank you for your prompt response. You are right, I am still in the planning stage of things but I expect to receive the Dutch MVV by the beginning of June.

I'll try to carry out your suggestions about emailing the German embassy but I've noticed that these days embassies try to make it as difficult as possible for you to have any sort of human contact with them. They just want you to get your information through their automated systems! That's why I come to these forums.

[Jambo]

Don't know much about Dutch immigration but according to this website Expat Centre Leiden MVV type D is a Netherlands only entry visa and doesn't allow travel within Schengen.

[beast89]

Don't know much about Dutch immigration but according to this website Expat Centre Leiden MVV type D is a Netherlands only entry visa and doesn't allow travel within Schengen.

Thank you very much for your response and the link that you cite. Here is the relevant portion of the link that you cite:

An MVV is valid only for entry into the Netherlands, it does not validate a stay in the other Schengen countries (although one transit through the Schengen area is allowed).

Aside from the fact that the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed, it also does not provide any details of the "transit through the Schengen area" which is allowed.

Any more information regarding that would be much appreciated!

[beast89]

I would suggest that you email the German embassy and ask them what to do.

Has your visa been issued or are you just making plans?

UPDATE: I followed your instructions and surprisingly I received a very prompt reply to my query. However, their response was not at all useful to me. They said:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email.
Please do contact the Dutch Embassy regarding your query.

Best regards,
Visa Section
German Consulate Chennai

[Jambo]

Aside from the fact that the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed, it also does not provide any details of the "transit through the Schengen area" which is allowed.

Transit normally means changing flights without leaving the airport. It doesn't mean travelling for a month.

If you follow the link, there is a combined C+D visa which will allow you travel. I suggest you follow the German consulate advice and ask for clarification from the Dutch authorities.

[beast89]

Aside from the fact that the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed, it also does not provide any details of the "transit through the Schengen area" which is allowed.

Transit normally means changing flights without leaving the airport. It doesn't mean travelling for a month.

If you follow the link, there is a combined C+D visa which will allow you travel. I suggest you follow the German consulate advice and ask for clarification from the Dutch authorities.

Ok, thanks for the clarification about the word "transit." I guess that's not what I'm looking for, then!

I did notice the C+D visa but it presents a couple of problems:

1. It is not clear how to apply for the C+D visa because it is not listed on the consular website for Netherlands in India.

2. Even if I did figure out how to apply for the C+D visa, I don't know if it would be the right thing for me because it requires me to arrive in the Netherlands first before traveling to any other Schengen country (whereas I want to go to Germany first and then go to Amsterdam). Quoting the relevant portion of the website you linked:

Combined visa ("D+C visa")
A combined visa allows you to enter the Netherlands for a stay of more than three months, to apply for a residence permit, and to then travel freely in and out of the Netherlands and through all the Schengen countries during the first three months after the visa's date of issue. It is intended to bridge the period during which applicants are waiting for their residence permits.

[beast89]

Ok, so I finally got a reply from the Dutch Embassy, but even this reply is quite confusing and I can't figure out the answer to my question. Any help would be appreciated.

My email:

Dear Sir,

My name is Beast and I write to you regarding a question that I have concerning travel to the Schengen countries. I am an Indian student who is going to be studying at the University of Amsterdam (beginning this September). I was told that I need to apply for an MVV (Class D Visa). My course begins on September 1st. I would also like to spend the summer in Germany, if possible (i.e. roughly July and August) for tourism purposes and to study German.

I would like to know if the Dutch MVV will allow me to stay in Germany for a month or two before going to the Netherlands. Otherwise, will I need to apply for a separate visa to go to Germany?

Thanks in advance for the information.

Yours sincerely,
Beast

Their response:

Dear sir,

After arriving in the Netherlands, you must go to the local government offices (gemeentehuis) in the municipality where you will be living in order to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (GBA). Then you must make an appointment with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in order to apply for a residence permit. You are advised to make this appointment no later than eight days after arriving in the Netherlands.

What this visa allows you do
The intention is that you travel directly to the Netherlands on your visa. If you cannot get a direct flight to the Netherlands, you may travel via another Schengen country on this visa. On arrival in the Netherlands you must apply to the for a residence permit.

Until you have been issued with a residence permit for the Netherlands, you may use this visa to travel to other countries in the Schengen area. You may not stay there for more than 90 of the 180 days for which your visa is valid. To gain entry to another Schengen country, you will have to explain the purpose of your visit to that country, state where you will be staying and show that you have sufficient means of support for your stay and your return journey.

Even before you have obtained a residence permit for the Netherlands, you may leave and re-enter the country as long as your visa is valid (180 days).

Kind regards,

Consular Department