Foreign students from non EU countries who wish to follow education or postdoctoral programmes in the Netherlands need different visas to enter the country:        

• a short-stay visa (VKV) - in case of up 3 months stay, issued by The Dutch embassy.
• an authorization for temporary stay (MVV) - in case of a more 3 months stay, issued by The Dutch embassy.
• a residence permit ( VTV), issued by at the Alien Registration Office in the Netherlands after one's arrival in the country.

Authorization for temporary stay (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf: MVV)

Nationals of non - EU countries  who wish to come to the Netherlands for a stay of more than three months need an authorization for temporary stay (MVV). It is extremely important to have this visa before coming to the Netherlands.

Procedure
You apply for an MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country (or the country in which you legally reside). The procedure involves completing an application form and presenting all relevant documents. It will take about three to six months to process your application, sometimes even longer. Be sure to apply for your MVV as early as possible.          

However, many higher education institutions in the Netherlands can help you to get an MVV more quickly by applying for it on your behalf. It is worth asking your future host institution about this.
Remember: you may not, under any circumstances, collect an MVV in the Netherlands - not even if your host institution in the Netherlands initiates the application procedure! MVVs can be collected only at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country (or the country in which you legally reside).

Administration fees for an authorization for temporary stay
If your host institution applies for an authorization for temporary stay for you via the short procedure, you have to pay a handling fee of € 250. If you apply for an authorization for temporary stay yourself, you have to pay a handling fee of € 433. Paying the fee does not automatically mean that your application will be granted! The fee must be paid even if your application is turned down.