Professional football players from outside the EU, as well as other top athletes from around the world, come to the Netherlands to compete. However, simply having a contract is not enough to get them directly onto the field of play. This requires what is known as a ‘single permit’ (in Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid or GVVA), which can be arranged thanks to a partnership between the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) and UWV (Employee Insurance Agency).
Obtaining permits for players is always an issue for professional football clubs during the summer and January transfer windows. Clubs ideally want to field their latest acquisitions as soon as the premier league (in Dutch: eredivisie) or first division resume. However, even if a deal has been closed, they sometimes have to wait until all the paperwork and permits have been arranged.
Delays like this can regularly lead to frustration among the fans, who then often blame the IND. The fact is that we can only issue a residence permit after UWV has verified that a top athlete is actually allowed to work in the Netherlands.
As an employer, the football club or any other club like hockey or baseball club, is the so-called sponsor and has to submit an application for the required permit to the IND. The IND assesses whether the application is complete and forwards it to UWV. UWV then assesses whether the non-EU player meets the requirements. Playing for the club must be the main purpose of stay in the Netherlands. The top athlete must be paid a competitive salary and must play for their club in the highest division in the Netherlands.
Additional requirements apply to professional male and female football players. They must:
The IND can only issue the residence permit if UWV issues a positive recommendation. Often the player will have to obtain a special entry visa (provisional residence permit or ‘MVV’) in their country of origin before being allowed to start their career in the Netherlands. The GVVA is valid for a maximum of three years and is linked to a single club. In the event of a transfer or loan, the new club must reapply. The scheme also applies to coaches and trainers who come from a non-EU country to work at a club in the Netherlands.
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