If you are not an EU citizen you cannot apply for a residence visa (Verblijfsvergunning) for the Netherlands until you have a work permit. EU citizens do not have to apply for a work permit but should still obtain a residence card. The application for your residence visa begins with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). You will have to contact the IND to find out how to proceed with obtaining residency or extending an existing visa, or for information on how to become a Dutch citizen. The tool on their site is very helpful if you understand Dutch, and there are many forms available in Dutch and English (www.ind.nl/nl/index.asp). The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also very informative (www.minbuza.nl/en/home). If you want to become a Dutch citizen you will have to have been legally a resident for five years and be willing to undergo inburgering (citizen education). You will also have to take an exam in Dutch to find out if you have made a good enough effort to understand and live in the Dutch culture.