Residence permit for work experience under EU programme

The residence permit for work experience under an EU programme is for employees with a nationality from outside the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. With this residence permit, you can live in the Netherlands to do a traineeship or gain work experience.

Do you have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality? Then you do not need a residence permit to do a traineeship or gain work experience in the Netherlands. Find out more about living in the Netherlands as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

Erasmus+ EU programme

The EU has several action programmes, including Erasmus+. This programme gives participants the opportunity to study or gain work experience abroad. Find out more about the Erasmus+ action programme.

Gaining work experience without an EU programme

Are you going to do an internship or gain work experience in the Netherlands without an EU programme? Then different requirements apply to you.

Your employer is your sponsor. An employer can become a recognised sponsor through the IND. A recognised sponsor can apply for a residence permit quickly and easily. A sponsor without recognition can also apply for the residence permit.

These requirements apply:

• You meet the requirements that apply to everyone.
• You will be gaining work experience in the Netherlands under an EU action programme, for example under the Erasmus+ programme.
• You meet the income requirements.
   

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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: application costs.

  The IND will send a letter stating how the employer can pay the fee. Has the employer been recognised as a sponsor? Then the employer pays automatically by direct debit. 

  Did you apply yourself? The application form states how you can pay for the application. Pay for the application within 3 weeks after the date the Dutch embassy or consulate filled in on your application form.

   
• 4. Pay for application open minus

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

  The IND will send a letter stating how you or your employer can pay the fee. Has the employer been recognised as a sponsor? Then the employer pays automatically by direct debit.

• 5. Wait for decision on application open minus

  The IND must take a decision within 60 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. You will then receive a letter.

  Follow the application in My IND.

  What if the IND decides late

  Has the decision period passed? And do you still not have a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.

• 5. Wait for decision on application open minus

  The IND must take a decision within 60 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. You will then receive a letter.

  Follow the application in My IND.

  What if the IND decides late

  Has the decision period passed? And do you still not have a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.

• 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.

• 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. 
   

• 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.

Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit.

TB test

Did your employer 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 to gain work experience under an EU programme

With this residence permit, you may only work based on the EU programme. You do not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). The back of the residence document says in Dutch ‘TWV niet vereist voor specifieke arbeid, andere arbeid niet toegestaan’. (Work permit not required for specific work. Other work not permitted.) 

Legal obligations

As a recognised or non-recognised sponsor, your employer has the obligation to provide information and keep records. To you, only the obligation to provide information applies. 

Find out more about the legal obligations of the sponsor or recognised sponsor and the foreign national’s obligation to provide information. 

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. And if you do not do so? Then, you may get an administrative fine. 

Validity of residence permit

The residence permit is valid for the period of the traineeship or work experience programme in the Netherlands. Your residence permit is valid for 1 year at most. After this year you cannot extend the permit.

Type of residence permit

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

Replacement residence permit

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

• Living in the Netherlands
• Travelling with a residence permit and return visa
• Coming to work in the Netherlands 3086(PDF, 590.53 KB)
• Employing a foreign national
• Trainee or apprentice in the Netherlands

Rules and regulations

• Section 3.39 Aliens Decree 2000 (Vreemdelingenbesluit 2000, only in Dutch)
• B4/2 Aliens Act Implementation Guidelines 2000 (Vreemdelingencirculaire 2000, only in Dutch)

Responsible organisation

Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst

Questions?​

Contact us