What is a residence permit for work experience under an 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.
Employer: sponsor or recognised sponsor
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.
Requirements
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.
Process and costs
These are the steps in the application process for the residence permit.
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1. Check requirements open minus -
1. Check requirements open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
2. Collect documents open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
3. Apply open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
4. Pay for application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
5. Wait for decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
6. Decision on application open minus -
7. Apply for MVV visa sticker and travel to the Netherlands open minus -
8. Collect residence permit open minus -
7. Collect residence permit open minus
Application forms
Download the correct form. Fill in the form and send it by post.
Written application forms
Written application forms
The residence permit
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:
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.
See also
- Living in the Netherlands
- Travelling with a residence permit and return visa
- 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