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.
How long you come to work in the Netherlands determines whether you need a residence permit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
You want to work in paid employment in the Netherlands for the assembly and repair of equipment delivered by foreign companies.
Supply of goods to a foreign company
You will work in paid employment in the Netherlands in relation to the delivery of goods to a foreign company.
Intra company transferee other than Intra Corporate Transferee (Directive 2014/66/EU)
You work at an international group of companies and you are transferred to the Netherlands as a trainee, key staff member or specialist. You are not covered by the rules on transfer within a company.
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.
You work at a company in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. You will provide services for this company in the Netherlands.
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.
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.
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.