Netherlands Work Visa For International Students

The Netherlands is one of the leading study abroad destinations globally. It offers ample opportunities to international students in creative fields, health sectors, Engineering, service sector etc. With a high standard of living, rich cultural diversity, better working standards, stable job opportunities, and enriching social life – the Netherlands offers it all. This beautiful destination with a peaceful environment and a perfect work-life balance is the perfect destination to start your career. So do you want to work in the Netherlands after completing your Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree? Don’t worry, Leverage Edu has got you covered! This blog brings you all the details about work visa requirements in the Netherlands.

What is a Work Permit Visa?

A work permit visa is an authorised or official stamp given to a candidate who decides to work in a foreign country. Work permit visas can be further distinguished into permanent or temporary visas. This blog contains the procedure to apply for a work permit visa for students in the Netherlands.

Also Read: Study in Netherlands

Who Needs a Netherlands Work Visa?

Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. If you are from a nation that is a member of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you do not need a work visa or resident permission to enter the Netherlands. Nevertheless, you must register with the local personal records database and get a Citizen Service Number if you want to stay in the Netherlands for some time longer than four months.

If you are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, you do not require a Dutch residence permit, but you will need to get a Verification against EU Law (certificate of lawful residence). All other foreign nationals require a work permit in addition to a Dutch residence permit in order to live in the Netherlands. A Single Permit, which combines the work and residence permits into one, is available to some.

Along with their Dutch residence permit, some nations must additionally apply for an MVV visa (also known as a “provisional residence permit” or type D visa). You can also be needed to pass a civic integration exam that assesses your familiarity with the Dutch language and culture if you need an MVV.

Types of Work Permit Visa in Netherlands

The Netherlands offers the following kinds of work permit visas:

1. Orientation Year Permit for Expert Graduates

The orientation year permit for highly expert graduates is meant for highly educated persons searching for employment in the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants. A residence permit, with the aim of residency being ‘the seeking and undertaking of work, whether in employment or not,’ applies for a maximum of 1 year. The candidate has to apply personally for this permit. There is no requirement for a sponsor for this type of Netherlands work visa.

2. Single Permit (Combined Permit for Residence and Work)

Suppose the candidate wants to find employment in the Netherlands. In that case, they will normally need to apply for a work permit or a Single Permit (combined permit for residence and work). Both applications consider whether the ‘essential interests of the Netherlands’ are served thereby. This rule means the visa will only be sanctioned if your employer did not find a suitable person for the job in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe. Your employer needs to apply for a work permit or a Single Permit.

3. Highly Skilled Migrant Permit 

There are certain wage criteria for admission as a highly-skilled migrant. In addition, to apply for a residence permit for a highly skilled candidate, the employer must be recognised by the IND, i.e. the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, as a sponsor. This permit is granted to bring skilled personnel to the Netherlands.

4. Entrepreneur Permit

Starting June 1, 2021, a new permit scheme for essential startup candidates has come into effect. This scheme has been introduced in the form of a pilot and has a duration of 4 years. To qualify for this permit, you must meet the requirements for the performance of your business or profession. Additionally, you should have all the necessary permits for the company’s performance. Also, candidates’ startup activity must be beneficial to the Netherlands.

Eligibility for Work Permit Visa in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, an international Student can apply for an Orientation Year Permit if:

• They have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a reputed Dutch University.
• They have completed a postgraduate degree of a minimum of 1 year in the Netherlands. 
• They are a PhD graduate from a Dutch University. 
• They have completed Scientific Research and fall under the category of highly skilled migrants.
• They have a residence permit in the Netherlands for research and work as a knowledgeable migrant.
• They have completed an Erasmus Mundus Master’s course. 
• They have completed training within the framework of specific cultural or development cooperation policies. 
• They have completed a master’s degree or postgraduate training from a top foreign university (must be in the top 200). This condition is implied to make sure that they have relevant English language proficiency. 

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Netherlands?

Your country and nature of work affect the application for a work visa in the Netherlands. You require the following permits to work in the Netherlands:

• A residence permit to stay in the country.
• A separate work permit to be allowed to work. OR
• A Single Permit (combined permit for residence and work).

The candidate’s employer often needs to apply for a work permit or a Single Permit for them. After obtaining all the required documents from the candidate, they can apply directly to the IND. After that, the IND will send the candidate’s application to the Dutch employment agency (UWV), which will review it and advise the IND on the decision.

Requirements to Obtain Netherlands Work Visas

Depending on which of the workable Dutch resident permits you’re seeking, the conditions for a Netherlands work visa vary. You will need to fulfil a set of normal conditions for any Dutch visa, though: 

• In the Netherlands, you must have a written employment contract with your employer.
• You must be paid at least the minimum salary applicable to workers older than 23.
• Your company must demonstrate that a Dutch or other EU/EEA national could not have filled the post.

List of Documents Required for Residence Permit Application in Netherlands

You require the following documents:

• Employer’s testimonial, employment contract, appointment decision, engagement letter or hosting agreement;
• The work permit. 
• A copy of the passport.
• In case the candidate has work experience, they need to submit a work placement or work experience agreement.
• Antecedents Certificate, which shall indicate whether or not the candidate has committed a criminal offence or not. 
• If the candidate falls in the orientation year for the highly educated person category, they need to submit a copy of their qualification. In the case of a foreign diploma, this must be evaluated by EP-Nuffic. Candidates must add a copy of the credential evaluation from EP-Nuffic with their application. This credential evaluation must authenticate the level of education and authenticity of the foreign diploma. 

European Blue Card

Except Denmark, Ireland, and the UK, the European Blue Card is a work permit that enables non-EU citizens to live and work in any EU nation. You will need a Netherlands work visa and work permit in order to be able to work in the Netherlands using an EU Blue Card that was granted from another nation. You also need to fulfil the following requirements:

• The employment contract must be valid for at least 12 months.
• A higher education diploma from a program of at least three years.
• Your higher education certificate must be evaluated by Nuffic.
• You must prove you meet the standards for practising your profession.
• You must earn the required wage amount set for EU Blue Card holders: the minimum is €5,272(INR 4.2 lacs) per month.
• The branch you are transferring to cannot have been fined in the last 5 years for violating article 2 of the Aliens Employment Act or for not paying (or insufficiently paying) wage tax or employer insurance premiums.

FAQs

Do you still feel applying for a Netherlands work visa is a tiring task? Then, contact our experts at Leverage Edu to book the session and let our expert guide you through the application! Call 1800572000 today!