How to Get an IND Residence Endorsement Sticker
- Cost
- Free (permit fee separate)
- Time
- Same day, 10–15 min
- Validity
- Usually 6 months
- In person
- Required, no reps
The residence endorsement sticker (in Dutch: stickerendossement or verblijfssticker) is a free sticker the IND places in your passport to prove you are legally allowed to stay in the Netherlands while your residence permit procedure is pending. You apply in person at an IND desk, the appointment is decided on the spot, and the sticker is issued the same day. Most non-EU residents need one at some point — usually when their existing document is about to expire or they have entered with an MVV and are still waiting on the plastic residence card.
Who needs the endorsement sticker
You may apply for an endorsement sticker if any of the following apply:
- Your current residence document expires within 4 weeks, or your existing sticker expires within 2 weeks
- You submitted a first regular residence permit, family reunification, extension, or permanent residency application and received an IND receipt confirmation
- You travelled to the Netherlands using a valid provisional residence permit (MVV) but your physical residence card hasn't arrived yet
- You registered an objection (bezwaar) or appeal (beroep) against an IND decision
- You applied for a provisional ruling (voorlopige voorziening) at the court
- You are in an EU intra-mobility situation (moving between EU member states under existing permit rules)
If your IND receipt letter mentions waiting for a decision and your old document is running out, the sticker is what bridges the gap.
What to bring to your appointment
Bring all of the following — missing any one will get your appointment cancelled:
- Your valid passport or travel document — must not be expired
- Your appointment confirmation code — sent by email when you booked
- Your current or expired residence document — the plastic card or older sticker
- A police report — only if your residence document was lost or stolen
- For children under 18: the parent must bring their own valid passport or residence document, plus the child's valid passport. The child does not need to be present in some cases — confirm with the IND when booking.
If you have a Foreign Nationals Identity Document (Type W or W2), bring that instead of the residence card.
How to book the appointment
You book online through the IND appointment system, which opens the live appointment planner. Endorsement-sticker appointments are offered at IND desks in Amsterdam, Den Haag, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Zwolle, plus the Expat Centre Maastricht (for Limburg residents) and the IND Service Point in Goes (for Zeeland and the Brabantse Wal).
- IND desk Amsterdam (Stadionplein 1A) — for general residents in the Amsterdam area
- The Hague International Centre — for highly skilled migrants, ICT permit holders, EU Blue Card, scientific researchers, start-up visa, orientation year permit holders, and accompanying family members who live or work in the region. Book through their appointment system
The IND does not publish wait times — you can only see what's free by checking the live planner. Slots in Amsterdam can be limited during busy periods, so book as early as you're eligible. If Amsterdam has nothing soon, check another desk such as 's-Hertogenbosch or Zwolle — both are a 1–2 hour train away and may show an earlier slot.
If you are a highly skilled migrant or knowledge migrant working in Amsterdam, your employer's relocation partner often books the appointment for you. Ask HR before booking yourself.
What happens at the appointment
The appointment itself is fast — usually 10 to 15 minutes. The IND officer:
- Verifies your identity with your passport
- Checks your IND file (procedure status, receipt confirmation)
- Places the sticker directly into your passport
- Hands the passport back
The sticker has its own validity period — usually 6 months, sometimes shorter depending on your procedure. The IND decides on the spot; if anything is missing or unclear, the officer will explain what to do next.
How much it costs
The endorsement sticker is free — there is no fee to apply for it or to have it placed in your passport. What you pay for is the underlying residence permit application, which is charged separately and depends on the permit type. IND fees rose 4.4% on 1 January 2026. The most common 2026 amounts are:
| Application (2026) | IND fee |
|---|---|
| First permit / TEV — work in employment | €423 |
| First permit / TEV — family member or partner | €254 |
| Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) | €423 |
| Extension — work or highly skilled migrant | €423 |
| Extension — family or study | €254 |
| Permanent residence or EU long-term residence | €254 |
| Child under 18 (family or permanent) | €85 |
These are permit fees, not sticker fees. Because the exact amount depends on your category, confirm yours on the official IND fees page before you pay.
Travelling while your procedure is pending
The endorsement sticker proves you are lawfully in the Netherlands while you wait — but it is not a travel document, and on its own it does not guarantee you can leave the country and get back in. If your residence permit has expired (or expires while you are away) and you need to travel, the IND's official instrument is a return visa (terugkeervisum). You can apply for one precisely when you have a pending application and no valid residence document yet. It costs €197 (€57 for Turkish nationals under the EU–Turkey Association Agreement) and is valid for up to 3 months. If there's any chance you'll travel while your procedure runs, sort the return visa before you book flights — see the IND's return visa page.
If your sticker is about to expire
If your IND procedure is taking longer than expected and your sticker is running out, you can apply for a new one. The eligibility window is the same — apply when your existing sticker expires within 2 weeks. Book another appointment, bring the same documents, and a fresh sticker will be placed.
There is no limit on the number of stickers you can receive while a procedure is genuinely pending. If procedures repeatedly stall, talk to an immigration lawyer — All About Expats and similar specialised firms in Amsterdam handle this regularly.
Common scenarios
You arrived with an MVV and have a BSN but no residence card yet: This is the most common case. Apply for the sticker once your IND receipt confirms your residence permit application is being processed.
Your residence card was lost or stolen: Report the loss to the police, get the report number, then book the sticker appointment. Bring the police report.
You're between an expiring permit and a renewal: Submit the renewal application first. Once you have the IND receipt confirmation, book the sticker appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IND endorsement sticker free?
Yes. There is no fee to apply for or collect the sticker. You only pay for the underlying residence permit application itself, which is charged separately.
Can I work or travel with the endorsement sticker?
The sticker proves you are legally allowed to stay in the Netherlands while your procedure is pending. Whether you can work depends on the type of application and your situation — check your IND receipt letter or call the IND. The sticker is not a travel document — if you need to leave and re-enter the country while your permit is not valid, apply for a return visa (terugkeervisum) rather than relying on the sticker.
How long does it take to get the sticker?
The appointment itself takes about 10–15 minutes and the IND decides on the spot — if approved, the sticker goes into your passport the same day. The real wait is getting the appointment, so book as early as you can, since desk slots can be limited.
How much does it cost?
The sticker is free. You only pay for the underlying residence permit, which depends on the type. In 2026, common amounts are €423 for a work or highly skilled migrant permit and €254 for a family member, partner, study, or permanent-residence application. Children under 18 are €85.
What if I miss my appointment?
You cannot reschedule an IND appointment. You have to cancel it and book a new one separately, which may delay you by days or weeks depending on availability. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early.
How do I know if I need an endorsement sticker?
You typically need one if your current residence document expires within 4 weeks (or your existing sticker within 2 weeks), if you entered with an MVV but your residence card hasn't been issued yet, or if you have a pending objection or appeal. Your IND receipt letter usually says whether a sticker is recommended.
Can I get a sticker if my appeal or objection is pending?
Yes. People with a registered objection (bezwaar) or appeal (beroep) in a residence permit procedure are eligible. Bring your registration confirmation and any IND correspondence to the appointment.
Do I need to apply in person?
Yes. You cannot send a representative — even a lawyer or family member. The IND must see you and your passport in person to place the sticker. Children under 18 attend together with a parent or legal representative.