Information for students from Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands for registration in the Personal Records Database

Will you be studying in the Netherlands soon? If so, it is important that you make some arrangements for your registration in the Netherlands before you leave and once you arrive in the Netherlands. For students from: Bonaire, Saba, St Eustatius, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Curaçao

You are almost leaving!

Step 1. BSN with application for student finance

Are you applying for a student finance to study in the Netherlands? And do you have the Dutch nationality but no Citizen Service Number (BSN) yet? Then you receive a BSN when you apply for your student finance. With your BSN, you can already arrange a number of things in the Netherlands, even if you are not in the Netherlands yet. To apply for a study student finance, you go to DUO.

Not applying for student finance? Then you can only apply for a BSN in the Netherlands. You then receive a BSN after registration in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the Dutch municipality where you are going to live.

Step 2. Receive your BSN

You receive your BSN by post from the National Office for Identity Data (RvIG). Because the post to the Caribbean sometimes takes a long time, you can also request your BSN by telephone from DUO. To do so, wait for the email from DUO informing you that your student finance application has been processed. This email contains the telephone number where you can request your BSN.

Step 3. Apply for and activate a DigiD

With your BSN, you can apply for DigiD. DigiD is the online log-in tool for the government. You need your DigiD, among other things, for your student travel product and to log in to Mijn DUO. You can find more information about applying for and activating your DigiD on the DigiD website.

Step 4. Appointment with municipality for registration in the BRP

Within five days of arriving in the Netherlands, you are required to register in the BRP of the municipality where you are going to live. Check the website of the municipality whether you can already schedule an appointment for registration in the BRP.

Tip: sometimes municipalities have separate appointments or registration days for students for registration in the BRP. Ask about this possibility at the municipality where you are going to live or the educational institution where you are going to study.  

Step 5.  Deregister from the population register

Within 10 days before departure, deregister from the population register of the island where you live. This is compulsory. When you deregister, state in which municipality in the Netherlands you are going to live. Take the proof of deregistration with you to the Netherlands, this is one of the documents you need for the registration in the Netherlands.

Please note: do you register with a different Dutch municipality than the one you specified when deregistering? Your personal data are then forwarded to another municipality. This may lead to a delay of several weeks in your registration in the BRP.

You have arrived in the Netherlands!

Step 6. Registration in the BRP at the municipality

If you stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months then you are required to register in the BRP. You have to do this within 5 days of your arrival, at the municipality where you are going to live. Schedule an appointment with the municipality to do so.

Documents you always need:

• a valid passport;
• the original proof of deregistration from the population register;
• proof of address in the Netherlands where you are going to live. For example a copy of the rental contract or a signed letter and copy of the identity document of the main occupant, if the person allows you to live there.

Sometimes a municipality may also ask for:

• a birth certificate: apply for it from the Census Office in the place where you were born. Bring the certificate with you to the Netherlands. If you were not born in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, make sure you apply for a (foreign) birth certificate in time and have it legalised and translated if necessary. For more information, see nederlandwereldwijd.nl
• a housing permit: some municipalities require a housing permit if you rent social housing or move in with someone who has social housing. You can apply for a housing permit from the municipality before registering in the BRP. Check the website of the municipality whether you need a residence permit.

Where to go? Useful links and information

Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO, Education Executive Agency)

To apply for or with questions about student finance
+31 (0)50 599 77 55
www.duo.nl/antillen

Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland

Information about the start-up grant.
+599 715 83 33
www.rijksdienstcn.com/studiefinanciering
studiefinanciering@RijksdienstCN.com

Arubahuis

The Education Department of the Arubahuis provides information and orientation to students from Aruba. In the Netherlands they assist in the
welcoming and support of students with study loans from Aruba. There is a study mentor in each Dutch region who advises students.
+297-528-3400 | +31 (0)70 356 62 00
www.arubahuis.nl/afdelingen/onderwijs
www.ea.aw/pages/studia-na-hulandaw
info@arubahuis.nl | arubalening@ea.aw (student loan)

Stichting Studiefinanciering Curaçao (SSC)

In Curaçao, the SSC takes care of the application for study financing for students from Curaçao. The department in the Netherlands welcomes,
supports and provides housing for students. Each region in the Netherlands has mentors who advise students.
+599 9 724 7272 | +31 (0)30 285 5070
www.ssc.cw | info@ssc.cw

Dienst Studiefinanciering Sint Maarten (DSF)

DSF regulates additional study financing for students from Sint Maarten. There are mentors and buddies in the Netherlands who support and advise students
with student loans from Sint Maarten.
+1-721-527-3840
www.studyfinancing-sxm.com/ | info@studyfinancing-sxm.com

More information?

Do you have questions about registration in the BRP in the Netherlands or getting a BSN? Contact Rijksdienst voor Identiteitsgegevens
(RvIG), at info@rvig.nl or +31 (0)88 900 1000.

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