FAQ

Last update: 30 March 2022

Because we can imagine that there are questions, we have prepared a FAQ. The information may be amended on the basis of information from the Ministry of Education or the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.

Financial aid

Where can students go who are in financial difficulties?

Are you a student and would you like to make a claim on the HZ Emergency Fund? You can submit an application for the emergency fund to your counsellor. You can also contact your counsellor if you have any questions. The terms and conditions can be found online.

Does the government support students who get into financial difficulties?

For the time being, the government is making €1 million available to support students (Research Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences) who get into financial difficulties, as well as to compensate damage resulting from discontinued studies.

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture & Science

Are students with a residence permit allowed to work more than 16 hours because of the income freeze from their home countries?

Non-EU students may work 16 hours. Self-employed people are allowed to work unlimited hours. There is no answer yet as to whether this will be abandoned.

Source: Association of Universities of Applied Sciences

Education

Is it possible to temporarily host students to participate in short-term (several weeks to three months) initiatives, such as part of a minor?

Yes this is possible, provided students have a third status/residence permit.

Is it possible for students who now come from Ukraine to continue their studies at a Dutch educational institution?

We are in consultation with OC&W, Justitie en Veiligheid and the IND about the status of the expected refugee students and about the possibilities of a continuation study at a university of applied sciences. Various aspects are involved, such as admission requirements, language tests (English and Dutch), diploma validation and, of course, financing. We insist on an integral solution, such as the deployment of the Libertas Emergency Fund. As soon as there is more clarity about this, we will come back to you.

Source: Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences

Are new incoming exchange students from Russia and Belarus welcome?

Outgoing and incoming exchanges to Russia and Belarus are out of the question; that falls under institutional cooperation. In short: as soon as there is a contract, it falls under formal cooperation and therefore under the freezing of cooperation. If it concerns an individual (so-called informal contact), it falls under quiet diplomacy and is encouraged.

Source: Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences

For students/employees from Ukraine

Should a Ukrainian student or employee whose visa has expired return to Ukraine?

No, the IND extends the visa for as long as the conflict lasts.

Source: Ministry of Education

What are the implications for Ukrainian students and staff of limits on withdrawals from Ukrainian banks?

Students and employees are advised to have a Dutch bank account when staying here for a longer period of time. Due to the withdrawal limits at Ukrainian banks, it can be difficult to transfer money from Ukraine to the Dutch bank account. As a result, students and staff may have no or limited access to funds, which may prevent them from paying their tuition fees or supporting themselves.

Source: Ministry of Education

How does it work with my health insurance?

Information for people from Ukraine on health insurance can be found here українець | Engels | Nederlands - Zorgverzekeringslijn

Source: Nuffic

For students/employees from Russia

Can Russian and Belarusian students stay in the Netherlands?

Both degree students and exchange students can complete their studies here. The possibilities for new exchange is unclear, pending the Cabinets decision. Receiving new Russian students and students from Belarus is not formally excluded. Given the sanctions, however, there are serious restrictions due to the exclusion of a number of banks from SWIFT and travel restrictions between Russia and other countries. Colleges have no formal grounds to refuse Russian students if they have the right prior education and can meet their financial obligations.

Source: Ministry of Education

A number of Russian banks will be disconnected from SWIFT on 12 March 2022. What are the implications for Russian employees and students?

Students and employees are advised to have a Dutch bank account when staying here for a longer period of time. They are advised to transfer sufficient funds to a Dutch bank account before 12 March 2022 for living expenses and tuition fees. Due to the exclusion of a number of Russian banks from SWIFT, it may be difficult to transfer funds to this account from Russia in the future. As a result, students and staff may have no or limited access to funds, which may prevent them from paying their tuition fees or supporting themselves.

Source: Ministry of Education

Cooperation

Are Universities of Applied Sciences expected to cut all ties with Russian partners?

No, Universities of Applied Sciences are expected to (temporarily) freeze existing formal partnerships. This applies to all companies, government institutions and knowledge institutes that are primarily located in Russia and Belarus. Freezing means, among other things, that no financial transactions will take place, data or knowledge will be exchanged, or joint events will take place.

Source: Ministry of Education