Ministerie van Justitie, Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst

There are many reasons why foreign nationals want to travel to the Netherlands. Some want to come here because they are not safe in their home country. These are asylum seekers or refugees. Others come to the Netherlands to work here for a couple of years for an international company, to join their partner or to gain work experience. This is what IND refers to as ‘regular residence’. The Immigration Policy List of  Terms and Definitions describes it like this:

Regular residence
Most foreign nationals do not travel to the Netherlands as asylum seekers. They come here to work, to study or for a family reunification or formation. These forms of residence are based on grounds other than asylum.

Many foreign nationals who wish to come to the Netherlands for regular residence must first apply for an Authorisation for Temporary Stay (Machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf  or MVV). Once this request has been granted, the national is allowed to travel to the Netherlands. Once in the Netherlands, he will need to apply for a residence permit from the local council.