Business Newsletter

The Cooperating Service is going to be closed from 9.00 to 13.00 on the following dates:

• Tuesday 23 June 2026
• Thursday 16 July 2026

These closures mean that the afternoon waiting times may be longer than normal. We therefore recommend that you call the next day or later in the week. We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The embassy in Manila is to be closed from 29 June up to and including 3 July 2026. The reason for the closure is that the embassy is to be relocated.

The embassy will only be issuing provisional residence permits (MVVs) in urgent cases during this period. The embassy decides for itself whether something is urgent.

For more information, visit the NetherlandsWorldwide website. 
 

The revised version of European Directive 2011/98/EU (2024/1233) entered into force on 22 May 2026. This directive is applicable to most permits for residence and employment in the Netherlands. It covers the following purposes of residence:

• Paid employment.
• Work as a highly skilled migrant.
• European Blue Card.
• Research under Directive (EU) 2016/801.
• Work experience.
• Employment as non-privileged military or non-privileged civilian personnel.
• Orientation year (seeking and engaging in (paid) employment).

What has changed?

The entry into force of the revised single permit directive has resulted in the following changes:

The IND is permitted to extend the legal decision period by 30 days

As from 22 May 2026, the IND can extend the legal decision period by 30 days in the case of first residence applications. This applies to an initial application for the residence purposes of paid employment, employment as a highly skilled migrant, an orientation year and employment as non-privileged civilian personnel. However, the IND has to provide reasons as to why the decision period is being extended, for example because of additional research.

The IND must assess a change of employer within 45 days

This deadline applies to holders of residence permits for the following purposes of residence:

• Paid employment.
• Work as a highly skilled migrant.
• European Blue Card. 
• Research under Directive (EU) 2016/801.
• Work experience.

Change of employer within period of validity of the current residence permit

If the holder of one of the listed residence permits changes employer within the period of validity of this permit, a legal decision period of 45 days will apply. The IND can extend this period by 15 days in exceptional cases. On the grounds of the EU Blue Card Directive, a statutory 30-day deadline applies when changing employers in the case of work under the EU Blue Card Directive.

Change of residence purpose

If the holder of this residence permit changes to one of the listed residence purposes, a legal decision period of 45 days will again apply. The IND can extend this period by 15 days in exceptional cases. On the grounds of the EU Blue Card Directive, a statutory 30-day deadline applies if an authorised sponsor submits the application.

Decision period expired

If the IND fails to decide within the decision period, the applicant will be legally permitted to work for the new employer for the remainder of the period of validity of the current permit.

Changing employer and extending

The applicant can also directly request an extension of the period of validity of the residence permit when changing employers. Two decision periods then apply:

• A period of 45 days will apply for the remaining period of validity of the residence permit.
• A period of 90 days will apply if the period of validity is extended.

Fees must be paid when extending the period of validity of the residence permit and/or changing the residence purpose.

If the requirements have been met, the IND will grant the permit for the term of the employment contract with the new employer.

6-month extension of search period in the event of unemployment

If the holder of a residence permit covered by the Directive becomes unemployed and has held this permit for 2 years or more, they will be allowed to look for a new job for a maximum period of 6 months instead of 3. The same applies if the permit holder has been the victim of labour exploitation. The period of time permitted to look for a new job will never exceed the period of validity of the residence permit.

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