Work permit in the Netherlands

Non-EU citizens seeking employment in the Netherlands must obtain a valid work permit. This permit can be requested by either the employee or the prospective employer, typically initiated by the employer.

The acquired work permit is specific to the requesting employer and ceases when the employee leaves the job. It's important to note that there is no universal or general work permit that applies to all situations in the Netherlands.

Individuals from the EU, EEA (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), or Switzerland are exempt from the work or residence permit requirement due to the freedom of movement agreement among these nations. Bulgaria and Romania gained full freedom of movement in 2014, and as of July 1, 2018, individuals from Croatia no longer need a Dutch work permit.

Expatriates performing specific types of work for short durations on an occasional basis, such as press service staff, musicians, and visiting lecturers, do not require a work permit. However, all other international individuals must obtain some form of permit to work in the Netherlands.

Types of Work Permits in the Netherlands:

In the Netherlands, various work permits cater to different needs, including:

1. GVVA or Single Permit: As of April 1, 2014, expats aspiring to work in the Netherlands can apply for the GVVA or Single Permit. This innovative permit combines the tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV) work permit with the residence permit.

   • What is a GVVA/Single Permit? The GVVA/Single Permit comprises a Dutch residence permit and an additional document specifying the employer for whom the foreign national is authorized to work and under what conditions. It is intended for workers and trainees from outside the EEA and Switzerland planning to stay in the Netherlands for over three months.

   • Application Process: Employers must demonstrate efforts to recruit locally and within the EU before applying for a GVVA. The application is typically submitted to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND). The UWV (Dutch social security agency) assesses the application based on the Aliens Employment Act (Wav) criteria. If approved, the IND issues the GVVA, and the employer is notified.

   • Ineligibility for GVVA: Certain individuals, such as students seeking work, asylum seekers, seasonal workers, those transferred within a multinational group, those staying for a maximum of three months, and Croatian nationals, cannot apply for a GVVA. They must request a separate TWV work permit from the UWV.

   • GVVA/Single Permit & Work Experience: The GVVA Single Permit also covers individuals gaining work experience in the Netherlands for study or work purposes, as well as participants in the Canadian Young Workers Exchange Program (YWEP).

   • Highly Skilled Migrant Permit: The highly skilled migrant scheme, known as "kennismigrant," enables Dutch employers to swiftly secure work permits for talented foreign professionals. This streamlined process eliminates the need to prove the absence of suitable Dutch or EU candidates.

Requirements for Highly Skilled Migrant Permit in the Netherlands:

To qualify as a highly skilled migrant for employment in the Netherlands, international applicants typically need to meet the following criteria:

1. Skills and Experience: Possession of skills and experience that are relatively scarce in the job market.

2. Educational Level: A higher educational level, with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree.

3. Work Experience: Some years of relevant work experience.

4. Specialization: Specialization in specific fields such as IT, engineering, or science.
   
   Application Process: Only recognized organizations are authorized to submit applications on behalf of a highly skilled migrant. The organization must be acknowledged by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND) as a sponsor.

Conditions for Highly Skilled Migrant Permit in the Netherlands:

In order to apply for a Dutch highly skilled migrant visa, certain conditions must be met:

1. Employment Contract: An employment contract or an appointment decision (or a guest agreement for guest lecturers) must be in place.

2. Internal Transfer: For internal transfers to a Dutch-based branch of an international company, an employer's declaration is required from the foreign employer. This declaration should include details such as the duration of the transfer, the type of employment, and the income.

3. Additional Conditions: Other conditions include:

   • Possession of a valid passport.

   • Requirement to have healthcare insurance in the Netherlands.

   • No previous illegal stays in the country.

   • No history of providing false or withheld information on previous applications.

4. Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Foreign nationals from countries other than Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Suriname, Switzerland, and the United States of America must undergo a tuberculosis test within three months after the residence permit is issued.

5. Spouse and Children: Partners and children of highly skilled migrants are also permitted to work in the Netherlands.

Income Requirements for Highly Skilled Migrants:

To qualify for a highly skilled migrant permit in the Netherlands, applicants must meet the minimum income requirements, effective as of January 1, 2024:

• Applicants older than 30 years: € 5.331

• Applicants younger than 30 years: € 3.909

• Subsequent to graduation or after a job-seeking year for graduates/highly educated persons: € 2.801

• European Blue Card Holders: € 6.245

Note: Income is the gross salary per month, excluding holiday allowance. Scientific researchers or physicians in training to become specialists are exempt from this income requirement; instead, their income must meet the provisions listed in the Dutch Minimum Wage Act (wml).

Processing Time for Highly Skilled Migrant Permit:

If the employer is a recognized organization with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND), the permit processing should take only two weeks. However, if the employer is not recognized, they must undergo the registration process, which may extend the overall processing time.

European Blue Card:

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified employment in the European Union. Conditions include a valid work contract or binding job offer of at least one year and meeting the agreed minimum salary. The personal conditions align with those for highly skilled migrants.

While the Dutch highly skilled migrant permit offers favorable conditions, there are minimal benefits in opting for an EU Blue Card for those planning to stay exclusively in the Netherlands. EU Blue Card holders, however, gain the flexibility to move to another EU country after 18 months of legal residence in the Netherlands.

Orientation Year for Highly Educated Migrants:

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who graduated at a Master or PhD level from a top-ranking university worldwide may apply for the "regeling hoogopgeleide" orientation year. This allows graduates to spend a year in the Netherlands seeking work, with a lower salary requirement when an employer applies for a highly skilled migrant work permit.

Work Permit for Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed:

Entrepreneurs wishing to start their own business in the Netherlands need a residence permit for self-employment. The business must show substantial benefit to the Netherlands, with a points system evaluating personal experience, business aspects, and added value.

Situations Where Permits Are Unnecessary:

There are scenarios where non-EU expats can work in the Netherlands without specific work permits:

• Previous possession of an EU/Dutch work permit for at least five years (three years for Turkish citizens).

• Working while studying, subject to certain restrictions for non-European students.

• Voluntary work, for which a Volunteer Declaration is sufficient.

• Working holiday visa for nationals of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Working under a Dutch/EU partner's residence permit without restrictions.

For detailed information on specific situations, individuals are encouraged to consult the Klantdienstwijzer section of the IND (in Dutch).

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