Grace period on visa... how to prove that i'm not wrong?

Question

I came to Holland in Sept 2003, and since then have had to renew a student visa every year. However, since 2004 I never got issued an ID card anymore. I did pay for my visa every year, though, and got a sticker in my passport (like a temporary verblijfsvergunning) to indicate that I've been staying in the country legally.

My visa expired 1 Sept 2006. I'm leaving in 3 wks and according to the Immigratie & NaturalisatieDienst that's fine, but since I'm leaving through Brussels I need to apply for a transit visa at Brussels airport. The last time I had a sticker in my passport was in Feb 2006--a Schengen pass that's valid until May 2006. My ID card (verblijfsvergunning) never got sent, so I have no proof that I'm staying here legally. I can't even buy a Schengen sticker for my passport from the IND. I don't wanna get in trouble in Brussels. What should I do??

Answer 1

Please contact the nearest embassy as soon as possible. They will help you. You will not be in trouble. You are in the grace period of your visa in any case.Good Luck.

Guide to Immigration Procedures for citizens of:

All countries not belonging to groups I - III.

If you have one of these nationalities, the following procedures apply.

Entry visa
For a stay of up to three months:
You do need a short-stay visa (VKV) to enter the Netherlands. You have to apply for this at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country (or the country in which you legally reside).




For a stay of more than three months:
You do need an authorization for temporary stay (MVV). An MVV is a sticker placed in your passport. You apply for it at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country (or the country in which you legally reside). It is extremely important to have this visa before coming to the Netherlands!


Residence Permit
For a stay of up to three months: You do not need a residence permit, but you are required to report to the local immigration authorities (Aliens Police) within three days of your arrival.
Read here how to report to the Aliens Police.


For a stay of more than three months: You do need to apply for a residence permit. To do this, you are required to report to the local immigration authorities (Aliens Police) within three days of your arrival. There you will have to present a number of documents and pay a fee. Read here how to report to the Aliens Police and apply for a residence permit.


Work permit (Tewerkstellingsvergunning: TWV)

You do need a work permit before you may work in the Netherlands. The following academic activities count as working: lecturing, doing a student internship or work placement, conducting research, and pursuing a doctorate or PhD from a paid position (as AIO, for example). The employer must apply for your work permit at the central CWI in Zoetermeer.
If you have a residence permit for study purposes you may earn money on the side. Such work must be either seasonal (in June, July and/or August) or less than ten hours a week. Also in this case, your employer must apply for a work permit for you.

Registering with the university

You need to register at your host institution (university or university of professional education) when you arrive, not only for getting your class schedules, but also to comply with immigration procedures.

Registering with the municipality

If you are staying for more than four months, you should register with the municipality (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie: GBA).

Health insurance

You must be insured against the costs of medical treatment. This is a requirement under Dutch law.