As a future international student, you might want to first check out this checklist before coming to the Netherlands. This checklist is meant to help you prepare any possible documents and actions needed before/after you come to the Netherlands. Things like registering at your cities municipality, enrolling for a study, getting healthcare insurance and opening a bank account require important documents.
Important documents:
- Photo ID (6x).
- Copy of a valid passport (3x).
- Copy of a valid ID (3x).
- Proof of registry of your home country (2x).
- Copy of your foreign bank account (2x).
- Copy of your social security number or personal records database of your home country (2x).
- Copy of certified high school grade list (2x).
- Copy certified high school diploma (2X).
- Birth certificate.
- Certificate of conduct.
- Dental records.
- Medical history records.
- Proof of deregistration from foreign health insurance.
- Proof of deregistration from census bureau.
- Notary's permission from legal guardian (if you are under 18) to open a bank account.
- Household rental agreement or letter of consent from main tenant (with a copy of main tenants ID).
- Income information of both parents for supplementary grant (if you are eligible for the Dutch student loan).
- Copy of E-ticket to the Netherlands.
- Student loan agreement (if you also have one from your home country).
- Application for Dutch student loan (a.k.a. Duo or "Studiefinanciëring").
- Authorization letter from legal guardian to travel with minor (if you are under 18).
- Certificate of conditional acceptance from university.
- Student budget for the first three months.
Important actions:
- Register at the city municipality to get a BSN number.
- Open a student checking \& savings account at a Dutch bank (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank).
- Get healthcare insurance.
- Registry check at Studielink.
- Request a DigiD at www.digid.nl.
- Request an OV-chip card and the student travel product if eligible at www.studentenreisproduct.nl.
- Request the Dutch student loan if needed or eligible.
- Request rent allowance if eligible.
- Request healthcare insurance allowance if eligible.
If you want more detailed information about the checklist I recommend reading 'Living Rich as a Student in the Netherlands' to get a head start on the student life in the Netherlands! You can download the checklist here.