International Trade Regulation

These requirements apply to you and your employer:

• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone. 
• You are going to work temporarily in the Netherlands for a process that the Employee Insurance Agency (in Dutch: Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen or UWV) has approved for the International Trade Regulation. If you will work in the Netherlands for less than 3 months, you do not need a residence permit. 
• Your employer has registered you with the UWV.

Read more about the International Trade Regulation and the process at UWV (only available in Dutch). 

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• 1. Check requirements open minus

  A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application

  Make sure you meet the requirements.

• 1. Check requirements open minus

  Make sure you meet the requirements.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. 

  Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 2. Collect documents open minus

  The application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply.

  Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

• 3. Apply open minus

  The IND recommends that your employer submits the application in the Netherlands. Your employer will apply to the IND for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time. Your employer will submit the application in writing by post.

  You may also apply yourself at the Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.

• 3. Apply open minus

  Your employer will apply to the IND for the residence permit. This is also possible if you are not yet in the Netherlands. 

  You may also apply to the IND yourself.

  You or your employer must submit the application in writing by post.
   

• 4. Pay for application open minus

  
  The application costs € 380,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: costs of an application.

  The IND will send a letter explaining how you can pay.

• 4. Pay for application open minus

  The application costs € 380,00. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: costs of an application.

  The IND will send a letter explaining how you can pay.
   

• 5. Wait for decision on application open minus

  The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.

  We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send you a letter.

  Follow the application in My IND.

• 5. Wait for decision on application open minus

  The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.

  We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send you a letter.

  Follow the application in My IND.

• 6. Decision on application open minus

  You will receive a message with the decision. The decision will be positive or negative.

  • Positive decision: you will get an MVV and a residence permit.
  • Negative decision: you will not receive an MVV and residence permit. You can object against this decision.
• 6. Decision on application open minus

  You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.

  • Positive decision: you will get a residence permit.
  • Negative decision: you will not receive a residence permit. You can object against this decision. 
• 7. Apply for MVV visa sticker and travel to the Netherlands open minus

  You can travel to the Netherlands with the MVV. You apply for the MVV visa sticker at the Dutch representation (embassy or consulate) that you filled in on the application form.

  The MVV is valid for 90 days.

  Apply for MVV visa sticker within 3 months of decision

  In order to apply for the MVV visa sticker, you will have to make an appointment at the Dutch representation.

  Valid passport required

  Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months when the Dutch representation places the MVV visa sticker in your passport.

  Biometrics

  You must provide biometric data when applying for the MVV visa sticker. You will put a signature and the Dutch representation will take fingerprints. You also needs to bring 1 new passport photo. Go to netherlandsworldwide.nl for information on requirements for ID photos.

• 7. Collect residence permit open minus

  When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.

• 8. Collect residence permit open minus

  When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document. 
   

TB test

Did you indicate at the time of the application that you will take a TB (tuberculosis) test? Then make an appointment with the public health service (in Dutch: Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). Do this within 3 months after you have received your residence permit. Take  with you to the appointment:

Appendix TB test referral form 7604(PDF, 230.36 KB)

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of your residence permit whether you are allowed to work. Your residence permit says ‘Work permit not required for specific work, other work allowed if a work permit has been granted’ (in Dutch: TWV niet vereist voor specifieke arbeid, andere arbeid toegestaan mits TWV is verleend). This means that you are allowed to work without a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) via the International Trade Regulation. But you do need a TWV for other work.

Legal obligations

As a sponsor, your employer has an obligation to provide information and an obligation to keep and retain records. Is your employer a recognised sponsor? Then your employer also has a duty of care. You only have an obligation to provide information. 

Read more about the legal obligations of the (recognised) sponsor and the foreign national’s obligation to provide information. 

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. What if you do not? Then you can get an administrative fine.

Validity of residence permit

The period of validity of your residence permit is 3 years at most.

Type of residence permit

The residence permit is type I, temporary regular residence permit.

Other applications

Replace residence permit

Has your residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page Residence permit damaged or change of personal details  or Residence permit lost or stolen.

Extend residence permit

Will your residence permit expire soon? Then you can extend your residence permit.

Permanent residence permit

Have you had a residence permit for 5 years? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

• Living in the Netherlands
• Travelling with a residence permit or make an appointment for a return visa
• The International Trade Regulation and the process at UWV (only available in Dutch)