Single Permit: GVVA

You apply to the IND for a single permit (GVVA). This permit allows you to live and work in the Netherlands. You need a single permit if you want to work in paid employment. And, if you want to work in any of these jobs.

• Spiritual counsellor or minister
• Monk, nun or missionary
• Supply of goods by or to a foreign company
• Employee of an international non-profit organisation
• Employee in art and culture
• Intra-corporate transferee

Residence permit for paid employment (not a single permit)

Are you going to work in paid employment in the Netherlands, but is it not possible to apply for a single permit (GVVA)? Or you no longer have a work permit (TWV) because you have worked for 5 years in a row in the Netherlands? Then you or your employer should not apply for a single permit, but for a residence permit for paid employment.  

These requirements apply to you and your employer:

• You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
• You meet the income requirements.
• Your employer’s company or organisation is registered in the Commercial Register (in Dutch: Handelsregister) of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (in Dutch: Kamer van Koophandel or KvK). This applies only if this entry is required under the Commercial Register Act 2007 (in Dutch: Handelsregisterwet 2007).
• Your employer has first looked for an employee in the Netherlands and the EU or EEA countries. For this purpose, your employer must have registered the vacancy at an employer service point of the Employee Insurance Agency (in Dutch: Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen or UWV).
• Your employer pays you a normal salary in the collective labour agreement that applies to your organisation or company.
• Your employer arranges right housing for you.

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 (GGD). Do this within 3 months after you have received your single permit (GVVA). Take this appendix with you to the appointment:

Working with the single permit

The single permit consists of a residence permit and an additional document. You may not start working until you have received the residence permit and additional document.

The residence permit says ‘Free to work in accordance with the additional document’ (in Dutch: Arbeid toegestaan conform aanvullend document). The additional document says for which employer you are allowed to work. It also sets out the conditions under which you are allowed to work. You may live and work for your employer in the Netherlands with the residence document and the additional document. Your employer will receive a copy of the additional document.

Working during the application to extend of a single permit

Have you applied to extend your single permit and are you still waiting for the decision? You are allowed to continue work during your application if you meet these requirements.

• The application for an extension was submitted in time. This means that the IND received the application within 4 weeks after your single permit expired.
• You still do the same work for the same employer.
• What if the IND has not yet taken a decision on your application for an extension, and your single permit is now no longer valid? Then you need a residence endorsement sticker with work status indication. A residence endorsement sticker is a sticker in your passport. You can use it to show that you may continue working for your employer. Make an appointment for a residence endorsement sticker.

Have you submitted the application for an extension in time and has the IND extended your single permit? Then the new single permit will be valid immediately after the previous single permit.

Apply for work status ‘free to work'

Have you worked in the Netherlands for 5 years? Then you no longer need a work permit TWV) to work in the Netherlands. You will be allowed to work without a work permit as soon as you have received a residence document with the work status ‘free to work’ (In Dutch: arbeid vrij toegestaan). This is how you apply for the work status indication: 

• Is your single permit valid for more than four months? You can replace your residence document with a document with the work status indication arbeid vrij toegestaan.
• Will your single permit expire within 3 months? Then apply to extend your residence permit. Indicate on the form that you want to have the work status indication arbeid vrij toegestaan on your residence document.

Change employer

If you change employers, your old employer must notify the IND as required. Your employer will deregister you, but it is your responsibility to check with your employer that you have been deregistered. Your new employer must apply for a new residence permit. See our Frequently Asked Questions: Work.

Legal obligations

As 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 a recognise sponsor and the foreign national’s obligation to provide information. 

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may get an administrative fine. 

Validity of single permit

The period of validity of the single permit is a maximum of 3 year. Have you had a valid residence permit for work for 5 years? Then the single permit is valid for a maximum of 5 years.

Do you work as an supply of goods employee for an international organisation? Then the period of validity of your single permit is a maximum of 1 year.

Type of residence permit

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

Other applications

Replacement of the 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 the 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
• Travel with a residence permit and a return visa 
• Website UWV, special requirements work permit per group (in Dutch only)
• Frequently asked questions: Work