If you have always been in search on get work in the Netherlands Government, Then in this page article we shall walk you through on how to get Visas & Work permit in The Netherlands as a foreigner. Just keep reading to walk through the guideline below.
Brief Descriptions
Netherlands, On this page we shall be discussing with you all the requirements you need to obtain before qualifying to apply for the Netherlands work visa permit as a foreigner. Every non-European Union (EU) citizen will need to obtain a Netherlands work visa to work legally in the country. While either you or the employee can make the request for a permit, it’s primarily your job to handle the process.
Netherlands Work Permit Eligibility
In most cases, when moving to the Netherlands for work, you will need a work permit (sometimes referred to as TWV). The only exception is if you are applying for a highly skilled migrant visa. In this case, you do not need an additional work permit.
Netherlands Work Permit Application Form
The Netherlands work permit application form will be filled in and submitted by your employer. They will tell you what documents you need to present.
Do You Need a Residence Permit for the Netherlands?
All nationals that are not from EU/EEA member states or Switzerland require a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands. How and when you should apply for one depends on whether or not you need a long-stay visa.
In most cases you will need both a work and resident permit. You can submit a joint application for both, called GVVA, or the Single Permit. Please note that, unless you are self-employed, it will be your employer who takes care of your residence permit.
Do You Need a Long-Stay Visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands’s long-stay visa, also known as the authorization for temporary stay or MVV, is necessary only for nationals of certain countries. If you are a national of the following countries, you do not need a visa to stay in the Netherlands:
- EU/EEA member countries
- Andorra
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- United States
- Vatican City
Other exemptions include having a residence permit for another Schengen Area country or living with a family member who is a national of an EU/EEA country. There is a full list online, or you can chat to our knowledgeable visa advisory professionals to get specific advice for your situation.
Application for a Long-Stay Visa
There are two ways of applying for the MVV in the Netherlands: Doing it yourself at an embassy or consulate, or having your host apply on your behalf. The purpose of your stay determines the approach you should take when applying.
Your host (employer, university, family member, etc.) has to submit your visa application form for the Netherlands if the reason for your stay is:
- Work.
- Studies.
- Marriage to a Dutch national.
- Family reunification.
You have to apply for the MVV yourself if the reason for your stay is:
- Looking for employment as a highly skilled migrant (orientation year).
- Independent entrepreneurship.
- Start-up.
- Investments.
When you apply for a long-stay visa, you automatically apply for a residence permit at the same time. The work permit application is still separate.
In order to be granted a long-stay visa in the Netherlands, you might need to take a civic integration exam. It tests your knowledge of Dutch society as well as your Dutch language skills (speaking and reading). The cost to take the exam is 150 EUR (175 USD).
Work Visa Requirements in the Netherlands
The requirements for the Netherlands work visa depend on what type of business you are involved in. You might be an intracompany transferee, a highly skilled migrant, or a European blue card holder. However, there are some general conditions you have to meet in order to apply. These are:
- Having a valid passport or another travel document.
- Stating that you have a clear criminal record and the information you provide in the application is true.
- Undergoing a medical test for tuberculosis once you arrive.
Additional requirements usually include earning sufficient income for that visa type and your employer being recognized by the Netherlands’s government.
The Netherlands Work Visa Cost
The cost for your visa application depends on what type of visa you are applying for. Usually, the costs for a work visa do not exceed 300 EUR (330 USD).
Netherlands Business Visa
You can stay for up to 90 days on business in the Netherlands if you have a short-stay (type-c) visa to enter the country for business. You do not need a short-stay visa to enter the Netherlands on business if you are an EU or EEA national, from Switzerland, are a citizen of a Schengen Area country, or if you have a residence permit/long-stay visa issued by another Schengen area country.
Documents You Will Need
- An invitation letter from the Dutch company you will visit, listing their address and the dates of your visit.
- A letter from your employer detailing your business travel.
- Proof of previous trade relations between the two companies, if this has happened.
- Original and certified copies of business documents, such as a Memorandum and Article of Association, proprietorship/partnership documents, and so on.
- Business bank statement covering the last 6 months.
You must also prove you have enough expenses to cover your stay (at least 55 EUR (65 USD) per day). Your employer or the company you are visiting should write on their letter or invitation how much of your expenses are being covered.
The Netherlands Family Visa
The holders of a long-stay Netherlands visa can bring their spouse or long-term partner and children under 18 years of age with them. The visa holder needs to apply for family member visas for their relatives in the Netherlands.
The application can be submitted online (only available in Dutch) or filled out in person. The cost for the spousal visa is 174 EUR (200 USD) while a visa for a child costs 58 EUR (67 USD). You can coordinate your family visa application with the help of professionals.
If you have a family member that is an EU/EEA or Swiss national who is lawfully staying in the Netherlands, you will have an easier time getting accepted in the country.
What Types of Netherlands Work Permits Are There?
The Netherlands has several main work permits, including:
- GVVA or single permit: Individuals wishing to work in the Netherlands should apply for this combination of the tewerkstellingsvergunning, or TWV, work permit and residence permit. It includes a Dutch residence permit as well as a document stating that the employee is a foreign national with permission to work in the Netherlands.
- Highly skilled migrant scheme: You can bring talented professionals from foreign countries to the Netherlands and train them with this permit. Hire skilled foreign talent without proving you couldn’t find any Dutch or EU candidates.
- Orientation year (zoekjaar) permits for expat graduates: This permit is for foreigners who obtained a master’s or doctoral degree at one of the top 150 universities around the world in the last three years.
- Search year permit (zoekjaar) for Netherlands graduates: This permit is for students who graduated from Dutch universities. The residence permit allows them to stay in the Netherlands for a year while looking for a job as a highly skilled migrant.
- Entrepreneur permit: Individuals who want to come to the Netherlands and start their own business can apply for a residence permit for self-employment. They must meet certain requirements related to their business or profession.
- EU Blue Card: Third-country nationals in the EU can apply for this residence permit for highly qualified employment. EU Blue Cards require a valid work contract or job offer for at least one year that meets minimum salary requirements.
Are There Any Other Important Considerations?
Within five days of arriving in the Netherlands, your employees will have to make an appointment with the local city office. The office will give them a Dutch citizens service number. Without this number, they’ll be working and living in the country illegally, which could negatively impact your company.
Application Process for a Netherlands Working Visa
All applicants must submit their visa application in person at the Dutch mission, embassy, or consulate in their country of residence. If that isn’t an option, they can contact a Dutch mission in a neighboring country. Everyone has to schedule an appointment to submit the visa application and bring all supporting documentation. Once the application is approved, the Dutch mission will attach a visa sticker in the employee’s passport.
Since employees must apply for the visa before traveling to the Netherlands, we recommend reserving but not paying for travel until they get the appropriate confirmation.
