Question: How can I get a residence permit to legally stay in the Netherlands?

Answer:

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than three months and you are not an EU/EEA and Switzerland citizen, you have to apply for a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning). To get a residence permit, you will need to contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). You can reach them by telephone on weekdays between 09.00 and 17:00 at 0900-1234561. If you are calling from a country other than the Netherlands, please dial +31 20 8893045. Other means of contacting the Immigration and Naturalisation Service can be found here.

Privileged Persons whether EU/EEA or Switzerland citizens are not required to get a residence permit from IND. These are people who are working on Dutch soil as a diplomatic or consular official, or who are employed at an international organisation. They enjoy a special "privileged" status and are not considered foreigners under the auspices of the Vreemdelingenwet (Immigration Law) and are entitled to special residency status by law. They obtain a special residence document, which is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Please note that requirements for residence permit are dependent on your personal situation and circumstances. You will also find details on necessary requirements and arrangements you need to make in a government website called New to Holland.