The IND has issued a Q&A document on their website titled "Coronavirus (COVID-19): effects on application or stay"; you can read the entire document at this link. It answers some of the questions people have been asking related to MVV and validity past the original dates. I've C&P some of the more relevant parts below, but please read the whole link. In most cases it looks like your MVV time has been extended from 3 to 9 months, if it has still expired, then you must re-apply.
Do I get more time to collect the mvv, because of the measures against the coronavirus?
You normally have 3 months to collect your mvv. This has been extended to 6 months because of the corona crisis. What if it is not possible to collect your mvv within 6 months due to the coronavirus measures? The embassy or consulate will handle your case flexibly if you collect the mvv within 3 months following those 6 months. At your appointment, you must explain that you could not pick up your mvv sooner because of the corona crisis. So, you must collect the mvv within 9 months after the positive decision of the IND. Please check the Q&A's about long-stay visa (mvv) on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window) to find out when you can make an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
Due to the corona virus, I am unable to collect the mvv in time (within 9 months). Or I cannot travel to the Netherlands in time with the mvv. Do I need to apply for a new mvv?
Will you be able to travel to the Netherlands soon? But is your mvv no longer valid? You can make a new appointment if the embassy or consulate is open. This appointment has to take place within 90 days after your current mvv expires. At the appointment you will have to explain that you could not travel with your mvv because of the measures. The embassy or consulate will then reissue your mvv.
Has it been more than 90 days since your mvv expired? Or were you unable to collect the mvv within 9 months? Then the embassy or consulate cannot simply reissue the mvv. You must then make a new application first. This can be done in the same way as you made the previous application. You have to pay for the new application as well. Have you received a positive decision on the new application? Then you can make an appointment to collect your new mvv from the embassy or consulate. Please check the Q&A's about long-stay visa (mvv) on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window) to find out when you can make an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
I want to collect my mvv, but the embassy (or consulate) in the country where I am staying is still closed. I see that I can make an appointment at the Dutch embassy in a neighboring country, is this allowed?
This is only allowed in special cases. Since it is very busy at embassies and consulates that are open again. The following situation should apply to you:
Your case is urgent. This is the case when the 9-month period in which you can collect your mvv is almost over;
You can travel to the neighboring country. There are no physical restrictions and the borders are open;
The embassy or consulate in the neighboring country has time and room to take over your case. The IND will look into this.
The IND must give permission to collect your mvv from another embassy. Therefore call your contact person at the IND. You can find the phone number in the letter from the IND stating that you will receive an mvv. The contact person will then check whether your case is urgent. And whether there is room at the embassy in the neighboring country. Do you get permission? Only then you can make an appointment at the embassy to collect your mvv.
Do you want to come to the Netherlands as a student? Then your Dutch educational institution must contact the IND about changing the embassy. Read more about this under the heading Employer, educational or research institution.
Are the civic integration exams still taking place abroad?
At some embassies it is possible again to take exams. Has your exam or the exam of your spouse been canceled? Then you will be notified as soon as it is possible to make an appointment. For more information please check the Q&A's about the civic integration exam on netherlandsworldwide.nl (opens in new window). General information about the civic integration examination abroad can be found at naarnederland.nl (opens in new window).
Hope this helps.
Cynic
Expat Team
