Basisexamen Inburgering and the MVV: Why the Exam Is Required and Who Is Exempt

If you are applying to live with a partner or family member in the Netherlands and you need an MVV (Machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf), you generally must pass the Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland first, unless an exemption or dispensation applies. For applicants subject to the requirement, passing all three parts is a condition before the MVV and residence-permit application can proceed. Understanding exactly how the Basisexamen and the MVV connect — and whether you personally need the exam at all — is the key thing to establish before you spend time preparing or submit your application.

How the Basisexamen and the MVV Are Linked

The MVV is a provisional residence visa or entry authorisation, usually issued as a sticker in your passport for a stay longer than 90 days. Many non-EU nationals who want to join a partner, spouse, or family member in the Netherlands and need an MVV use the TEV (Toegang en Verblijf) procedure. The TEV is a combined application: one submission to the IND that covers both the MVV and the subsequent residence permit.

The Basisexamen Inburgering Buitenland — the Civic Integration Exam Abroad — is a condition that must be satisfied before an applicant subject to it applies for the MVV. It is separate from the TEV application. After you pass all three parts, DUO issues the certificate; keep it for the TEV/MVV application.

The exam tests basic Dutch language skills and knowledge of Dutch society before arrival.

Who Must Pass the Basisexamen Before Applying for an MVV

For a partner or family applicant who needs an MVV and does not qualify for an exemption or dispensation, passing all three parts is required before applying. The rule is not determined simply by continent or region, so check your nationality, residence purpose, and personal circumstances.

The exam has three parts. You take it abroad at a Dutch embassy or consulate, generally in the country where you live:

• Speaking (Spreken) — answering questions and completing sentences in simple Dutch, using a microphone
• Reading (Lezen) — reading simple Dutch texts at approximately A1 level
• Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNS) — 30 questions about Dutch society, presented with photographs and answer choices

The 2026 fee breakdown is €150 for the complete exam: €60 for Speaking, €50 for Reading, and €40 for KNS. All three parts must be passed. If you do not pass a specific module, you can retake that module; the TEV application cannot proceed until all three parts are passed and the certificate is issued.

After passing all three parts, move to the TEV/MVV application and check the current IND instructions before delaying submission.

Who Is Exempt from the Basisexamen

Not every MVV applicant needs to take the exam. The exemptions fall into several categories:

Nationality-based exemption. The IND's current exam list exempts nationals of EU/EEA countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Korea, and Switzerland. MVV exemption and exam exemption overlap for many people, but they are separate questions; follow the IND route for your nationality and residence purpose.

Education-based exemption. Specific Dutch-language diplomas, certificates, and degrees can qualify for an exemption. The IND's list includes qualifying Dutch education and certain Dutch-language programmes in Belgium or Suriname, but not every Dutch-language course or degree automatically qualifies.

EU long-term residence. A long-term EU residence permit issued by a different EU country can qualify for an exemption; check the IND conditions.

Residence-purpose exemption. The IND also lists some temporary residence purposes, joining a family member whose permit has a temporary purpose, joining a family member with an asylum permit, and applications under EU law. This can matter for partners of certain temporary-status holders, so confirm the route for your sponsor with the IND.

Age and medical circumstances. Under-18 applicants and people who have reached the AOW state-pension age are listed exemptions. A disability or other personal circumstance is not an automatic exemption: you can request dispensation with supporting evidence, and the IND assesses the request.

If you believe you qualify for an exemption or dispensation, check the current IND instructions and include the required evidence with the MVV application. Do not skip the exam based only on an informal list.

What Happens If You Apply for an MVV Without Passing the Exam

For an applicant subject to the exam requirement, passing all three parts is a condition before the MVV application. If the application is submitted without the certificate or evidence of an applicable exemption or dispensation, the missing prerequisite can delay or prevent processing. Do not assume the IND will treat an incomplete application as if the exam requirement had been met.

Exam preparation and appointment availability can be the first major timing constraints in the partner visa process. Preparation time varies widely by starting level, and appointment availability depends on the country and representation.

The practical implication: start preparing for the Basisexamen well before your partner in the Netherlands is ready to gather income proof and relationship evidence for the TEV application. The exam and the TEV preparation can run in parallel.

Typical Timeline: Exam to MVV

A realistic timeline from the start of exam preparation to MVV collection looks roughly like this:

1. Exam preparation: the time varies by your starting level; use the official Naar Nederland materials and practice exams to judge readiness
2. Booking and sitting the exam: register with DUO first, then contact the Dutch embassy or consulate; availability varies by location
3. Receiving the result: DUO issues the certificate; keep it for the TEV/MVV application
4. TEV application submission and IND decision: the IND has a statutory decision period of 90 days, and the clock can pause when it requests additional documentation
5. MVV collection: after a positive decision, follow the instructions from the designated Dutch embassy or consulate

There is no reliable universal total. Add your preparation and local appointment time to the IND decision period, and allow for retakes or requests for additional documents.

After the MVV: The Exam Is Not the End of Integration

The Basisexamen tests basic, approximately A1-level Dutch; it does not complete any civic integration obligation after arrival. If the Wet Inburgering 2021 applies to you, the municipality helps determine one of three routes after arrival. The B1 route aims for B1 Dutch within three years, while the education and self-reliance routes have different aims. Check DUO and your municipality for the rules that apply to your case.

Planning the full process from exam to arrival? The Netherlands Partner/Family Visa Guide walks through every stage — exam preparation, TEV application, document checklists, and post-arrival registration — in one structured roadmap.

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