What does TUB stand for?

TUB stands for Toelating en Uitschrijving Buitenland — 'Admission and Deregistration from Abroad.' It's the procedure Dutch universities use to manage international student admissions and report changes to the IND.

Is TUB a separate visa type?

No. TUB is not a visa type — it's an administrative procedure that connects your university admission to the IND's immigration reporting system. Your actual permit is a student residence permit (verblijfsvergunning studie).

What happens if I don't arrive at my Dutch university?

If you don't arrive or don't start your programme, the university is legally required to notify IND within 4 weeks. Your residence permit will be revoked, and this may affect future visa applications.

How long does my permit last after I deregister?

After deregistration, your residence permit typically remains valid for up to 3 months. This gives you time to wrap up affairs or apply for a different permit such as the orientation year permit.

Can I switch universities during my studies?

Yes, but your current university must deregister you and the new university must file a new TUB admission and sponsor your residence permit. Plan the transfer carefully with both international offices.

What documents do I need for the TUB procedure?

Typically you need: a valid passport, proof of acceptance, proof of sufficient financial means, health insurance, certified diplomas/transcripts, and sometimes a TB test certificate. Requirements vary by university and nationality.

Visa Sponsorship Guide

TUB Procedure — Dutch Student Visa Sponsorship Explained

TUB (Toelating en Uitschrijving Buitenland) is how Dutch universities manage your admission and report your status to immigration. This guide explains every step — from sponsorship to deregistration.

What Does TUB Cover?

TUB is not a separate visa type — it's the administrative bridge between your university admission and the IND

Toelating (Admission)

After you are conditionally or fully accepted, the school's immigration team will typically ask you for documents so they can sponsor your application and meet their record-keeping duties (passport copy, proof of admission/enrolment, and financial proof). If you are MVV-required, the school can usually start a combined sponsor-led process (often referred to as the TEV procedure) while you are still abroad.

Uitschrijving (Deregistration)

If you withdraw, don't start the study, stop studying, or leave the Netherlands, the sponsor must usually notify the IND, typically within 4 weeks, because it can affect your residence permit.

TUB Is Not a Visa

TUB is the procedure that connects your university admission to the IND's immigration system. Your actual permit is a student residence permit (verblijfsvergunning studie). The university handles TUB on your behalf as a recognised sponsor.

Toelating

How Admission Works Under TUB

When you're accepted to a Dutch university from abroad, the institution acts as your recognised sponsor with the IND. Here's what happens:

The school's immigration team asks you for documents (passport copy, proof of admission/enrolment, and financial proof)

As a recognised sponsor, the university files your residence permit application with the IND

For MVV-required nationalities, the school can usually start the combined sponsor-led TEV procedure while you are still abroad

TEV Procedure: If you are MVV-required (entry visa), the school can usually start a combined sponsor-led process (often referred to as the TEV procedure) while you are still abroad.

Uitschrijving

Deregistration & IND Notification

The uitschrijving side of TUB is just as important as admission. If any of the following happen, the sponsor must usually notify the IND, typically within 4 weeks:

Student withdraws

Student doesn't start the study

Student stops studying

Student leaves the Netherlands

Your School's Administrative Status and Immigration Reporting Are Linked

Always inform both the program side and the international office so reporting from the sponsor (school) is handled correctly.

Why TUB Matters

Understanding sponsor obligations helps you stay compliant and avoid permit problems

Information Duty

Your school's sponsor obligations include an information duty — reporting changes to the IND.

Administration Duty

Your school's sponsor obligations include keeping documentation like proof of enrolment and study progress.

Institution Transfers

If you switch institutions, your new institution must be a recognised sponsor and the transfer has to be reported to the IND.

IND Can Act on Notifications

The IND can act based on sponsor notifications (for example if you stop studying or never arrive). This is why communication with your international office is critical.

Typical TUB Timeline

From acceptance to enrolment (or deregistration) — here's what to expect

Accepted by the school

You receive a checklist and deadlines from the international office.

You upload documents

Passport, financial proof, etc. — and usually pay any required deposits / fees (varies by institution).

School submits a sponsor-led application

Often TEV if MVV is required.

Decision + MVV collection (if applicable)

You generally collect the MVV at the Dutch embassy / consulate in your country of origin or continuous residence; the IND generally advises against being in the Netherlands during the MVV procedure.

Arrival + enrollment

Once you are officially enrolled, the sponsor's admin/reporting obligations continue during your studies.

If you stop / leave / don't arrive

The sponsor reports this change to the IND (this is the "U" in TUB).

Common TUB Problems

Issues students run into — and how to avoid them

Missing deadlines (document upload, tuition / deposit payment)

Your school may not start or may pause sponsorship.

Financial proof issues

Sponsor must keep evidence that you have sufficient means.

Not arriving / late arrival

Sponsor may need to notify IND that you are not coming.

Withdrawing without telling the right people

Always inform both the program side and the international office so reporting from the sponsor (school) is handled correctly.

After Studies

After Graduation or Deregistration

When you graduate, the IND states that your study residence permit remains valid until 3 months after you deregister from your educational institution (after that, you will need a new permit if you want to stay).

How StudyPath Helps with TUB

The TUB procedure involves many moving parts — university, IND, embassy, and you. We make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Build a TUB checklist (documents + deadlines) tailored to your school and intake
Review your financial proof pack and common pitfalls before submission
Help you track TEV/MVV steps and embassy timing
Support communication with the school's international office so sponsorship reporting stays clean

Frequently Asked Questions

TUB stands for Toelating en Uitschrijving Buitenland — 'Admission and Deregistration from Abroad.' It's the practical process that connects your admission and enrolment status to the sponsor's IND reporting duties. It is not a separate visa type.

No. TUB is not a visa type — it's an administrative procedure. Your actual permit is a student residence permit, which the university applies for on your behalf as a recognised sponsor.

If you don't arrive or don't start your programme, the university must usually notify the IND, typically within 4 weeks, because it can affect your residence permit.

The IND states that your study residence permit remains valid until 3 months after you deregister from your educational institution. After that, you will need a new permit if you want to stay.

If you switch institutions, your new institution must be a recognised sponsor and the transfer has to be reported to the IND.

The school's immigration team will typically ask you for documents so they can sponsor your application and meet their record-keeping duties — such as a passport copy, proof of admission/enrolment, and financial proof. Requirements vary by institution.