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Which residence permits to work are there?

​You want to come to the Netherlands to work here in paid employment. On this page you can read what possibilities to work exist in the Netherlands. You can also read how the application procedure works and what you need to arrange in the Netherlands after your application.

​Different conditions apply to persons with the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and their family members.

Duration of your stay 

How long you come to work in the Netherlands determines whether you need a residence permit.

Stay of fewer than 90 days

If you will be working for fewer than 90 days, you usually need a short-stay visa. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. You apply for a short-stay visa at the Netherlands embassy in your country of origin or the country of continuous residence. Is there no embassy in the country where you live? You can then go to an embassy in a neighbouring country. In addition, you employer usually has to apply for a TWV for you.

Cross-border worker

 You work in the Netherlands but you live in a different EU country (for example Belgium or Germany). You are a cross-border worker. This is also a short stay.

Stay for more than 90 days

If you come to work for a longer time, you will then need a residence permit. You can read below which residence permits there are and how the application works.

Residence permits for working in paid employment

There are various residence permits for working in the Netherlands. Which residence permit you can apply for depends on the job you find in the Netherlands. Below you will see an overview of the possible residence permits.

Intra Corporate Transferees (Directive 2014/66/EU)

You work at a company established outside the European Union (EU) and you are transferred to a branch in the Netherlands.

For this residence permit you cannot apply yourself. Your employer should apply for the residence permit at the IND.

Highly skilled migrant

You are going to work in a high-level position. Or you are going to work as a (guest) lecturer, trainee doctor or scientific researcher in paid employment. Specific salary requirements apply. Your employer must be recognised as a sponsor by the IND.

For this residence permit you cannot apply yourself. Your employer should apply for the residence permit at the IND.

European blue card

The European blue card is intended for employees who perform highly skilled work within the EU. Specific salary and educational requirements apply. This residence permit also makes it easier for the employee to work in a different EU Member State. Your employer will apply for your residence permit.

For this residence permit you cannot apply yourself. Your employer should apply for the residence permit at the IND.

Researcher within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801

You can also work as a researcher within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801. You do not need to receive a salary; you may also receive a grant. Your employer must be recognised as a sponsor by the IND.

For this residence permit you cannot apply yourself. Your employer should apply for the residence permit at the IND.

Work in paid employment

This is the standard residence permit for working in paid employment in the Netherlands. Several permits exist for work in paid employment with specific rules:

Work experience as a trainee or apprentice

You will apply for this purpose of stay if you are a student and will do an internship in the Netherlands or will go to work for a Dutch company in order to gain work experience. You can also do an internship or gain work experience in the context of an EU action programme.

Cross-border service provider

You work at a company in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. You will provide services for this company in the Netherlands.

Family members

Your family members can usually come along to the Netherlands. You cannot take your family members along only if you come for seasonal work or if you come for work placement or to gain work experience.

 

Steps in the application process

1. Find a job in the Netherlands or apply for a residence permit to find a job

​You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of work usually only if you also have a job in the Netherlands.

In some situations you can apply for a residence permit to find a job in the Netherlands. With this residence permit you may also work in the Netherlands.

2. Your employer applies for your residence permit

In order to travel to the Netherlands, you need a [temporary residence permit] (mvv). The mvv is a sticker that the Dutch representation places in your passport. In some cases you do not need an mvv. 

Is a TWV necessary and do you have to have an mvv? Your employer applies for the temporary residence permit (mvv) and the combined permit for residence and work (gvva) at once.

Is a TWV not necessary? Then your employer applies for the residence permit at the IND.

If you do not need an mvv, your employer will then apply for a combined permit for residence and work (gvva). You may already be in the Netherlands during the application, but the IND advises you to await the decision on your application in your country of origin or your country of continuous residence.

The IND advises you to let your employer submit the application, but sometimes you can also submit the application yourself. Do you want to submit the application yourself? You will find the application forms at the bottom of this page.

3. Receipt and checking of the application

After your application has been received, the IND will send you confirmation of receipt. It will state the date on which the IND received the application and within which time limit the IND will take a decision.

Next, the IND checks whether the application is complete and whether the fees (costs) have been paid. Are documents missing or are documents incorrect? The IND will then send a letter to your employer: a notice to remedy the omission. It will state which documents still need to be sent. Your employer must send the requested documents before the date specified in the letter. It could be that your employer must send documents that you have to arrange. If this is the case, you should send the documents to your employer or the IND as soon as possible.

My IND en Message Box (Berichtenbox)

Follow your application in My IND. Did you register with the Message Box (Berichtenbox) for mail from IND? And did you enter you e-mail address? Than you will receive an e-mail from the Berichtenbox when you have new mail from IND.

4. Decision

The IND checks whether you meet all conditions. The IND must take a decision with a period of 90 days.

Negative decision

If you or your employer do not meet the conditions, you will not receive an mvv (when required) and residence permit. This decision will be stated in the ruling. You can lodge objection to this decision.

Positive decision

If you and your employer meet all conditions, you will receive an mvv (when required) and a residence permit. The IND will inform the employer of this decision. The IND will also inform the Dutch representation.

5. Picking up your mvv and/or travel to the Netherlands

You can pick up the mvv at the Netherlands representation which your employer has filled in on the application form.

You have 3 months' time to pick up the mvv. Make an appointment for this at the representation. It can sometimes take a few weeks before you can pick up your mvv at the embassy. Take account of this.

Your passport must still be valid for at least 6 months on the day the representation places the mvv in it.

You must give biometric details when you pick up your mvv.

Once you have picked up the mvv, you can travel to the Netherlands. The mvv is valid for 90 days. The term of validity is stated on the mvv sticker. There are 2 dates on the mvv sticker:

  • Start date: the mvv is valid from this date.
  • End date: the mvv is no longer valid on this date.

You may travel with the mvv within the Schengen area.

No mvv needed 

Do you not need an mvv? If you are not yet in the Netherlands, you can travel immediately to the Netherlands. After arrival in the Netherlands, you must go to the IND desk to have biometric characteristics collected.

6. Picking up the residence permit

The IND tries to have the residence permit ready within 2 weeks after the positive decision or after collection of biometric characteristics. You will receive a letter telling you when you can pick up the residence permit. You do not need to make an appointment to pick up the residence permit, but you can indeed make an appointment. You will be served more quickly.

Check at the IND desk whether the information on your residence permit is correct. If something is not right, say this immediately to the IND assistant.

After the application

Registration with the municipality

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP)  in the municipality you are going to live.

To register with the municipality you need a legalised and translated  birth certificate. Take this therefore with you when you travel to the Netherlands.

Please contact your municipality in advance to check which (legalised and translated) documents/ certificates you need to take with you.

TB test

You have indicated your intent to undergo a tuberculosis test (TB test) when you applied. You have to make an appointment for this with the Area Health Authority (GGD). You do this within 3 months after having received your residence permit. Please take the 'TB test referral form' with you to the appointment.

In some cases you are exempt from taking a TB test.

Take out health insurance

Anyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance. You do this within 4 months following your arrival in the Netherlands. This does not apply to you.

Are you doing an internship in the Netherlands? You only have to take out Dutch public health care insurance when your internship salary will be at least as high as the Dutch minimum wage. You can also read the information on the website Zorgverzekeringslijn.​

Work

​On the back of your residence permit is stated under which conditions you are allowed to work.

Legal obligations

There are a number of legal obligations that apply to you and your employer.

The IND monitors your compliance with these legal obligations. Failure to meet these legal obligations may have consequences.

Further applications (extend or change) / return visa

Replace residence permit

Is your residence permit damaged, lost or stolen? In that case, have the residence permit replaced.

Extend residence permit

Is your residence permit due to expire soon? Apply for an extension.

Change residence permit

Has something changed in your situation that influences your residence permit? Please report this immediately to the IND. It may mean that the residence permit has to be changed.

Permanent stay

Having had a residence permit for a period of 5 years, you may apply for a permanent residence permit.

Becoming a Dutch citizen

Having had a residence permit for a period of 5 years, you may apply for Dutch citizenship.

Return visa

If you are awaiting a procedure, you do not have a valid residence document at present and you wish to travel outside the Netherlands, you may need a return visa to re-enter the Netherlands. This could be the case if your current residence permit is no longer valid or your current residence permit will expire during your stay outside of the Netherlands. To apply for a return visa you must meet certain conditions. ​

Application forms and costs
Aanvraag voor een gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid (GVVA) - Single Permit (foreign national)7046

Use this form to start your application. You can also use this form for applications Young Worker Exchange Program. This form is only available in Dutch.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 290.

  • The application YWEP costs € 58.
  • Are you NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 58.​​​​​​​​

Download  

Aanvraag voor een gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid (GVVA) (vreemdeling) Single Permit7046

Use this form to start your application. This form is only available in Dutch.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 290.

  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Are you NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 58.​​​​​​

Download  

Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence ‘working as an employee (regular)’ (foreign national)7522

Use this form to start your application.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 290.

  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Are you NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 58.​​

Download  

Country of continuous residence

​A country of continuous residence is a country (other than the country of origin) where you may lawfully live for more than 3 months. This means you have a valid residence permit for that country. Or that you are waiting for your application for a residence permit to be approved.

Are you in a country in your free term? Or with a visa for short stay (maximum of 3 months)? This is not continuous residence.

TWV

​A TWV is a work permit. The employer applies for a TWV with UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency). UWV examines among other things if there is no employee with the Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality that is qualified for the job.

Dutch representation

​This is the Dutch embassy or consulate.