Corona

^{The text below is subject to additional government measurements.}

At VU Amsterdam, the following advice applies: 

• Wash your hands often.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Symptoms? Stay home and do a self-test. In case of a positive self-test, stay home for at least 5 days until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal cold, fever. Information on staying home in isolation can be found on this page from the central government.

Activities at VU Amsterdam
Teaching and exams
Teaching and exams take place as usual on campus and as indicated in the study guide and in the timetable. 

^{The activities below are indicative and will be updated as necessary in case of national measures.}

Working
Hybrid work remains the starting point. More information on hybrid work can be found here.  

Other activities
There are no restrictions on academic ceremonies, information events, graduation ceremonies, student association activities and other types of activities/events.

Other important information
Vaccination options
If you want to get vaccinated, this is easy to arrange. There are a number of GGD locations where you can get a corona vaccine with and without an appointment. For more information, visit the central government website.

Self-testing
The government encourages self-testing to prevent the virus from spreading further. In case of a positive test result, please follow the government guidelines. Self-tests are available at the hosts in the entrance area of our buildings. If you need a self-test, you can ask the hosts for one.

Ventilation
Our buildings are well ventilated. You will find more information at the bottom of this page.

Campus accessibility
It is important to us that our education is accessible to everyone and that our staff can work on campus without worries. If there are weighty circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus when you should be there, such as a medical reason, please discuss these with your academic advisor or supervisor.

What else can you do yourself?
In addition to the applicable advice, there are other ways to prevent infection for yourself and others as much as possible.

• Avoid shaking hands.
• Give each other space where possible.

_{Together, we keep VU Amsterdam safe.}

^{The text below is subject to additional government measures.}

At VU Amsterdam, the following advice applies:

• Wash your hands often.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• The government advice is to test yourself twice a week. Symptoms? Stay home and do a self-test. In case of a positive self-test, stay home for at least 5 days until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal cold, fever. Information on staying home in isolation can be found on this page from the central government.
• Wear a face mask when moving around in our buildings and in places where a distance standard cannot be kept.
• Follow the walking routes and directions of the stewards.

Activities at VU Amsterdam
Education
Working groups and practicals continue as timetabled on campus. Lectures are given online whenever possible and appropriate; students are informed of this by their lecturer through Canvas.

Discuss with your academic advisor or supervisor if there are serious circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus when you should be there.

Exams
Physical exams takes place on campus and at external exam sites. Wherever possible, the applicable distance standard is maintained. If this is not possible and when you’re moving around, you should wear a face mask. An alternative exam is considered for some subjects. Students are informed of this by their lecturer through Canvas. No collective third occasions will be organised for an examination, including in case of a quarantine.

Study places
Study places for studying and online teaching are available. A face mask is worn when moving around and where keeping the then applicable distance standard is not possible. 


_{The activities below are indicative and will be updated as necessary in case of national measures.}

Working
VU Amsterdam follows national guidelines for 'working'. As long as there are no guidelines, the principles and agreements on hybrid work are leading. In the event of any measures for 'working', employees working in education or vital processes on campus, such as the energy supply, security and technical systems, hygiene, company emergency organisation will continue to work on campus, possibly with weekend and holiday staffing. Further arrangements will be made with the relevant teams in this regard. In the case of scenario orange, it is obvious that even more conscious consideration will be given within the teams to what can be done online and from home.

Consult with your supervisor when you have to perform necessary work outside teaching or research on campus. If there are serious personal circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus, coordinate this with your supervisor as well.  

Research
See explanation under 'Working'.

Events and ceremonies
Academic ceremonies, open days/information events and graduation ceremonies may be held on campus. However, receptions are not allowed.

Activities of study associations, USR, FSR
Activities of study associations, the university student council and faculty student councils that focus on meeting/entertainment are not allowed. However, the following are allowed: board activities, meeting activities and activities on campus that are related to education/research. Student associations are asked to make conscious choices in this regard and to inform the faculty board accordingly.

Sports, culture and catering
The national guidelines apply to Sportcentrum VU, cultural events and catering. Dining facilities for staff and students in VU buildings will remain open.


Other important information
Vaccination options
If you want to get vaccinated, this is easy to arrange. There are a number of GGD locations where you can get a corona vaccine with and without an appointment. For more information, visit the central government website. 

Self-testing
The government encourages self-testing to prevent the virus from spreading further. In case of a positive test result, please follow the government guidelines. Self-tests are available at the hosts in the entrance area of our buildings. If you need a self-test, you can ask the hosts for one.

Ventilation
Our buildings are well ventilated. You will find more information at the bottom of this page. 

Campus accessibility
It is important to us that our education is accessible to everyone and that our staff can work on campus without worries. If there are weighty circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus when you should be there, such as a medical reason, please discuss these with your academic advisor or supervisor.

What else can you do yourself?
In addition to the applicable advice, there are other ways to prevent infection for yourself and others as much as possible.

• Avoid shaking hands.
• Give each other space where possible.
• Limit the number of external visitors.
• Do you have symptoms and a negative test? Even then, just to be on the safe side, you could wear a face mask.

_{Together, we keep VU Amsterdam safe.}

^{The text below is subject to additional government measures}

At VU Amsterdam, the following advice applies:

• Wash your hands often.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• The government advice is to test yourself twice a week. Symptoms? Stay home and do a self-test. In case of a positive self-test, stay home for at least 5 days until you are symptom-free for 24 hours. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal cold, fever. Information on staying home in isolation can be found on this page from the central government
• Wear a face mask when moving around in our buildings and in places where a distance standard cannot be kept.
• Follow the walking routes and directions of the stewards.

Activities at VU Amsterdam
Teaching
A maximum of 50% of the seating capacity may be used in teaching rooms. Students will be informed through Canvas by the lecturer what this means for them. Practicals and work groups will continue as scheduled. If the 50 % attendance per room is exceeded, other options on campus will be considered.   

Exams
Physical exams takes place on campus and at external exam sites. Wherever possible, the applicable distance standard is maintained. If this is not possible and when you’re moving around, you should wear a face mask. An alternative exam is considered for some subjects. Students are informed of this by their teacher through Canvas. No collective third occasions will be organised for an examination, including in case of a quarantine.

Study spaces
Study places for studying and online teaching are available. A face mask is worn when moving around and where keeping the then applicable distance standard is not possible. 

_{The activities below are indicative and will be updated as necessary in case of national measures.}

Working
VU Amsterdam follows national guidelines for 'working'. As long as there are no guidelines, the principles and agreements on hybrid work are leading. In the event of any measures for 'working', employees working in education or vital processes on campus, such as the energy supply, security and technical systems, hygiene, company emergency organisation will continue to work on campus, possibly with weekend and holiday staffing. Further arrangements will be made with the relevant teams in this regard. In the case of scenario red, it is obvious that working from home is the norm.

Consult with your supervisor when you have to perform necessary work outside teaching or research on campus. If there are serious personal circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus, coordinate this with your supervisor as well.  

Research
See note under 'Working'.

Events and ceremonies
Academic ceremonies, information events and graduation ceremonies may go ahead with 50 % a room's seating capacity. For larger rooms, a maximum of 75 people may possibly apply. Receptions are, however, not allowed.

Activities of study associations, USR, FSR
Activities of study associations, the university student council and faculty student councils that focus on meeting/entertainment may not be organised. However, the following are allowed: board activities, meeting activities and on campus related to education/research, where a maximum of 50 % of the seating capacity of the room may be used with a maximum of 75 persons per room. Student societies are asked to make conscious choices in this regard and inform the faculty administration accordingly. However, receptions and other social aspects are not allowed.

Sports, culture and catering
National guidelines apply to Sportcentrum VU, cultural events and catering establishments. Dining facilities for staff and students in VU buildings will remain open.

Other important information
Vaccination options
If you want to get vaccinated, this is easy to arrange. There are a number of GGD locations where you can get a corona vaccine with and without an appointment. For more information, visit the central government website.  

Self-testing
The government encourages self-testing to prevent the virus from spreading further. In case of a positive test result, please follow government guidelines. Self-tests are available at the hosts in the entrance area of our buildings. If you need a self-test, you can ask the hosts for one.

Ventilation
Our buildings are well ventilated. You will find more information at the bottom of this page.

Campus accessibility
It is important to us that our education is accessible to everyone and that our staff can work on campus without worries. If there are weighty circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus when you should be there, such as a medical reason, please discuss these with your academic advisor or supervisor.

What else can you do yourself?

• Avoid shaking hands.
• Give each other space where possible.
• Do you have symptoms and a negative test? Even then, just to be on the safe side, you could wear a face mask.
  

_{Together, we keep VU Amsterdam safe.}

VU Amsterdam, like all other universities, is preparing for a possible upturn in corona using the Higher Education Sector Plan containing the measures to be taken under different corona scenarios. The measures we take at VU Amsterdam match the four scenarios in the Higher Education Sector Plan: dark green, green, orange and red. There is also a code black where the central government determines the measures centrally. The scenarios worked out for VU Amsterdam are described on this page, so that you know in advance what will happen when scaling up. After a scenario change, we highlight the then applicable scenario. These measures will apply the next working week. Should the measures be relaxed, they will only take effect at the start of the new period for education. However, you can always check this page first for the latest update.

The government wants to avoid a closure of education at all times. Even with far-reaching contact restrictions in society and other sectors, education will remain possible on campus with coordinated measures. The national alert level, where the central government designates the epidemiological situation with the corona thermometer, can be raised without affecting how education is organised at higher education institutions. The thermometer is not directly related to higher education measures.

What does VU Amsterdam do if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
The national approach stipulates that the GGDs (public health service) are in charge of the regional approach to COVID-19 infections. They do this in close cooperation with the RIVM and the Safety Regions. This means that the GGD determines what happens if an infection is found in a student or employee of VU Amsterdam. We are not allowed to ask about or register infections on an individual level. However, if there are any striking developments or signals - for example, if a large number of course participants suddenly cancel their course - we will inform the GGD Amsterdam. That contact is via the Health Safety and Environment department and the crisis organisation of VU Amsterdam.

Staying at home 
It may be that, as a precaution, you want to stay at home if you have had contact with a person who tested positive. In that case, discuss with your lecturer or manager that you would like to stay home as a precaution, and what the possibilities are for studying/working at home.

Guidelines  
Lecturers and managers should follow the instructions and guidelines given by the GGD and RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), as far as these are given, and enable their students/employees to follow these instructions. It is essential that a person who tests positive goes into isolation and does not come to VU Amsterdam.

Self tests are available at the hostesses in the entrance area of the VU buildings.

Travelling abroad
Only travel to countries with a green or yellow travel advice. Students (internships, research, residencies, fieldwork etc.) and researchers who still want to travel abroad when code orange is indicated, should discuss this with their study supervisor or manager.

Whichever country you go to, you may still be faced with coronary measures such as possible entry requirements, a quarantine or testing obligation. Therefore, always keep an eye on the travel advice. Click here for the latest travel information from the central government and for the general VU travel policy. Possible costs for cancellation or early return due to a new outbreak will not be reimbursed from central funds.

Moving and travelling to the Netherlands

Visa, immigration and visiting the campus
Can I travel to the Netherlands as an international student?
We strongly advise you to look at this checklist before you decide to travel to the Netherlands. The information on this website will be updated regularly. In general, all non-EU students can travel to the Netherlands with a valid entry visa (MVV) or the IND approval letter (in Dutch: ‘kennisgevingsbrief’) stating that you will receive a residence permit. Did you already receive a message that your application has been approved but you do not hold the IND letter yet? Please contact studentimmigration@vu.nl in that case.

I have already received the approval of my visa/residence permit procedure but I cannot travel to the Netherlands. What should I do?
Not all embassies can open yet. This is due to the local situation. Is your embassy still closed? Foreign Affairs will then only issue an MVV if you fall under an exception category of the EU entry ban or if you need an MVV with exceptional urgency and if the local situation allows it. This differs per embassy. It is still possible that you cannot pick up an MVV yet. The IND will only consider your case urgent if you meet these three criteria:

• You can prove that you can travel to the Netherlands at this time. This means that there are no physical restrictions and that the borders are open. Flights are departing from your country to the Netherlands. 
• Your work or research comes under the vital professions.
• You need to explain why your case is urgent. And you have to prove that this urgency relates to a vital profession. 

If you meet all three criteria, ask VU Amsterdam to contact the IND. The IND will then determine whether the case is indeed urgent.

Where can I find up to date information about the Dutch measures against the corona virus?
On this website from the Dutch government you can find the most recent information.

Is the visa fee non refundable?
Important message for users of our immigration platform “VisaCare”: as soon as you’ve submitted your personal details and have started the application, we assume that you wish to apply for a student visa/residence permit. If you decide to cancel your application throughout the process (i.e. before completing all of the required steps), you need to pay a handling fee of €85. We will deduct the €85 from the visa fee you transferred already.

If you haven’t paid your visa fee to VU Amsterdam yet, you must pay the €85 handling fee to VU Amsterdam. We will send you the instructions how to pay this.

The total visa fee of €275 is non-refundable if we’ve already sent your application to the Dutch Immigration Authorities (IND).

My question was not answered here, how can I contact you?
E-mail: studentimmigration@vu.nl
Phone: Please schedule an appointment in our online tool

Measures for travelling
Non-EU students who wish to travel to the Netherlands:

• You can travel to the Netherlands with a valid entry visa (MVV) or the IND approval letter stating that you will receive a residence permit. (In Dutch: ‘kennisgevingsbrief’). Did you already receive a message that your application has been approved but you do not hold the IND letter yet? Please contact studentimmigration@vu.nl in that case.
• Be aware that there will be less flights or flights might be cancelled due to the restrictions. We strongly advise you to look at this checklist before you decide to travel to the Netherlands. 

Measures before and after travelling to the Netherlands
In order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Netherlands the Dutch government has decided to implement measures for passengers travelling to the Netherlands from areas with many coronavirus infections by means of a health declaration form and self-quarantine.  

What measures do I need to take before travelling to the Netherlands?
Check the most up-to-date information here. We advise you to consult this page regularly. 

I want to fly to the Netherlands. Do I need a negative coronavirus test?
From 23 March 2022 people travelling to the Netherlands from outside the EU/Schengen area no longer need to show a negative test result. Check the current rules for entering the Netherlands.

What should I do when I arrive at the airport in the Netherlands?

• More information about the COVID-19 rules at the airport is available here.

How do I go to my student accommodation from the airport or train station?

• You will have to arrange your transport to your accommodation yourself. Route descriptions for public transport will be available soon. It is also possible to make a reservation for a taxi in advance. 

How do I get the key of my room?

• If you rent an accommodation via VU Amsterdam, the housing providers will inform you how and where you will receive the key of your room.
• If you rent an accommodation on the private market, you will have to make arrangements with your landlord yourself. 

For questions about education, contact the Student Desk or the International Office. Employees can contact the HRM ServiceDesk.

In the 'Sectorplan middellange termijnaanpak corona mbo ho' (in Dutch) you will find the central government's long-term strategy for corona in secondary vocational education and higher education.

The measures in the document 'Strategie VU ten tijde van corona' (in Dutch) are guiding how we deal with corona in the medium term at VU Amsterdam. The measures taken are in line with the scenarios in the sector plan for higher education from the central government.

To ensure that the actions in the document 'Strategie VU ten tijde van Corona' can be smoothly applied when we need to switch from one scenario to another, this handout has been prepared. The guide contains practical information on communication, teaching, preparations faculties for changes in teaching and testing, and it contains an explanation of the use of rooms when switching to scenario red.