Settlement on fee charges foreign students
The Dutch Association of Universities (VSNU) and the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO-Raad) have called off a lawsuit against immigration minister Gerd Leers who planned to increase the residency permit fees for foreign students. Leers has offered a settlement.
The settlement implies that the new fees charges for non-EU students – for all new applications, renewals and study purpose changes – will take effect on September 1 instead of on July 1 2011. In addition, minister Leers promised to consult with the associations in case of future fees increases.
The VSNU and the HBO-council say to be ‘pleased’ with this outcome, but are also still of the opinion that fees increases are in sharp contrast with Dutch government’s ambitions to reach the world top 5 of knowledge-driven economies.
