Information correct as of May 2023
Are you looking at how to get a work visa for The Netherlands? Then worry not because we are here to guide you step-by-step through this process! If you want to work in The Netherlands then you are going to need to apply for a Dutch work visa. A work visa for The Netherlands is given to work citizens who enter the country for employment reasons.
Work Visa / Residence Permit Requirements
For you to be eligible for a residence permit for The Netherlands, you have to be able to meet the following conditions:
- Your passport / ID must be valid for the time period in which you are staying
- You have to have proof of satisfactory financial means, which can be salary statements, documents showing your own earnings in a company or a letter from a benefits agency
- You are obligated to have health insurance, and it must cover the duration of your stay
- You are obligated to show proof of the reason for your stay
- You might have to do a tuberculosis test
How Do I Apply For a Work Visa in The Netherlands?
If you would like to work in The Netherlands then you will need both a residence permit and a work permit or a single permit, which is a combined residence and work permit. The single permit can be valid for up to five years for residence and work. The following steps will guide you through the process of applying for a work visa for The Netherlands:
- Check to see if you need an MVV: An MVV is a visa whihc is also known as an authorisation for temporary stay. Whether you need an MVV or not depends on your nationality. If you want to check whether you are exempt from an MVV and to get more information on it, you can check the Netherlands visa guide webpage!
- If you do need an MVV: You can apply for both the MVV and a residence permit through the Entry and Residence Procedure or the TEV. The TEV is a type of application in order to get the MVV. You will also have to take the civic integration exam. This is a three-part exam that tests your knowledge of the Dutch language and society. If you wish to know whether you are exempt from this exam, you can check the visa guide webpage under 'The Civic Integration Exam'.
- If you do not need and MVV: If you do not need an MVV, you will have to apply for a Dutch residence permit within 90 days after entering The Netherlands. To do this, you must complete the application form and the necessary documents. Based on the reason of your stay, you will have to show several documents in order to apply for a residence permit. Under Work Visa / Residence Permit Requirements, as stated above, you will be able to see which documents are required for the work visa. These documents have to be in Dutch, English, French, or German. You will then have to pay for the application fee. If you would like to see the list of visa fees, you can check The Netherlands Visa Fees. Once all of this is done, you have to wait and see if your application is accepted. You will be able to see this within 90 days of application.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it easy to get a work visa in The Netherlands?
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How long does it take to get a work visa in The Netherlands?
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How do I get a work visa for The Netherlands?
- You need an employment contract with an employer that is in The Netherlands.
- You need to earn at least minimum wage for employees over the age of 23.
- Your employer needs to show that the position could not have been filled by a Dutch person or another EU national.
To get a work of residence permit in The Netherlands, you have to have an employments contract or a written agreement with an employer recognized by Dutch immigration authorities for at least four months, and you need to earn above a certain level of income.
If the application is correctly filled out and complete, the IND will usually decide within two weeks. If a work or single permit is required, then it would take around seven weeks.