(The Hague) – On July 16, 2010 the law on ‘Modern Migration Policy’ was published in the ‘Statute-Book’ (Staatsblad) and is ordered to be enforced starting January 1, 2010. Article 5.5 orders Universities to verify the academic progress of all Non-EU/EER and Swiss students for Visa purposes. Those students are required to acquire 50% of the credits each academic year in order to be kept ‘alive’ in the register of the Dutch Immigration Service.

Moreover, the law will also apply to current Non-EU/EER and Swiss students. Therefore, all the students that involved in this matters should be informed well. Although this was supposed to be done during August this year, it was not possible for me to verify this.

The first checks will take place during fall next year. So as a Non-EU/EER or Swiss student you have been warned. After the university have determined you do not comply with the regulations, you will be removed from the Immigration’s system within a month, causing your Visa to be revoked. Of course there are exceptions, like personal circumstances – illness etc. That’s why it is important to notify the university on time if anything like that occurs.

If you have not been informed by this change in regulation, you should complain to the School you’re currently enrolled at and ask for more information. Below the official statement as issued by the IND can be found:

“What changes will there be after the Act has come into effect?
After the Act has come into effect, all current students will be subject to the provisions of the new Act.

Under the new Act, educational institutions must monitor study progress. A foreign student must pass at least 50% of the nominal study workload for (the part) of the academic year. In the event of
insufficient study progress, the educational institution must report this to the IND and the residence permit may be withdrawn.”

For the full notification by the IND please visit http://www.ind.nl/en/Images/1006%20studie%20ENG_tcm6-184214.pdf