Are you considering relocating to the Netherlands to search for employment? Or perhaps your partner or spouse has secured a job here, and you need to move before obtaining a job yourself?
While it is undoubtedly easier to relocate to the Netherlands with an existing job offer and an employer who is willing to sponsor you, the reality of securing a job from abroad can be challenging. Most employers prefer candidates who are already residing in the Netherlands and is able to speak Dutch.
However, do not be discouraged; there are certain instances where you can still move to the Netherlands without having secured a job beforehand.
In this article, we will provide essential information for expats on how to relocate to the Netherlands without securing a job to stay either permanently or for a period longer than 90 days.
This article is not relevant for individuals who hold citizenship in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. If you fall under this category, you only need your passport and/or ID card to live and work in the Netherlands. Additionally, this article does not apply to expats who have already secured a job (whether through sponsorship or otherwise). If this is the case, follow this link for a guide.
1. What you will need to move to the Netherlands
The required documents for relocating to the Netherlands are a:
- Residence Permit;
- Long-stay visa (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf – MVV); and
- An additional “visa” connected to your residence permit which corresponds to your reason for relocating (e.g. startup/self-employment visa, family reunification visa, working holiday visa, or study visa).
You will be required to submit various documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, etc. These documents must be in English, Dutch, German, or French. If they are in any other language, they must be translated by an official Dutch translator. Foreign documents will also need to be legalized or authenticated by a relevant government authority in your home country.
2. Residence permit application process
If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. This permit contains your personal information, the purpose of your stay, validity, V-number, and work status. Residence permits will only be valid for up to five years.
To be issued with a residence permit, you must meet the following conditions:
- Your passport or Identity Document must be valid for the entire term of your stay.
- You must provide proof that you have sufficient financial means.
- You must be covered by health insurance during the entire duration of your stay.
- You must not present a threat to public order, national peace, or national security.
- You must provide proof of the reason for your stay (e.g. employment contract if you came to work; marriage/partnership certificate if you came because your spouse obtained work, etc.).
- You must undergo a mandatory tuberculosis test.
Since you have not yet secure a job, your sponsor (e.g., education institution, spouse, your spouse’s employer, etc.) will need to submit your residence permit application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) on your behalf.
In addition to your residence permit application, your sponsor must provide the IND with a reason as to why you intend on staying in the Netherlands, which will serve as the basis for the additional visa application.
3. Application for an additional visa
Depending on the reason for relocation, your sponsor will be required to provide the IND with additional documentation.
Below are some of the most common visa options available for expats moving to the Netherlands, together with the additional documents which must be submitted to the IND:
3.1. Dutch student visa
You can apply for this visa if you intend to study in the Netherlands. It is valid for the duration of your studies. Upon completion of your studies, you must either apply for a new visa or return to your home country. To be eligible, you must provide an offer from a recognized educational institution in the Netherlands and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your studies.
3.2. Dutch family reunification visa
You can apply for this visa if you are either married to or in a partnership with a Dutch citizen or resident. Your spouse or partner will be your sponsor and must prove that they can financially support you. You will need to submit proof of your legal union (e.g. marriage certificate or partnership certificate), as well as financial documents from your spouse or partner. This visa will be valid as long as your spouse or partner’s visa remains valid.
3.3. Dutch startup and self-employment visa
You can apply for this visa if you intend to start a business or work for a Dutch startup. The government will allow you to stay in the Netherlands for one year to launch your business. You will need to provide a business plan, information relating to your experience in the relevant field, and a description of how your project will benefit the Netherlands.
3.4. Working holiday visa
This is a one year visa that is granted to people between the ages of 18 and 30 who come from Argentina, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and South Korea. To qualify, you must prove to the government that you can financially support yourself and that you have a return ticket to your home country after the one year.
The additional visa is not a separate, physical document that needs to be collected upon arrival in the Netherlands. Instead, it is linked to your residence permit and serves as a justification for providing the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) with the necessary information to process your residence permit application.
4. What is a long-stay visa (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf – MVV)
An MVV visa is required in order to enter the Netherlands. This is a temporary visa that allows you to enter and stay in the Netherlands while you wait for your residence permit. It is thus considered a provisional residence permit and is valid for 90 days.
In certain instances, people between the ages of 18 and 65 are required to take a civic integration exam at the Dutch Embassy/Consulate to demonstrate your knowledge of the Dutch language and society. However, the following people are exempt from completing this exam:
- Individuals with Turkish Nationalities;
- Individuals applying for a residence permit for adoption, paid employment, au pair, exchange, study, medical treatment, or as independent persons under an international treaty;
- Individuals with a university degree or other qualifications in the Dutch language.
Once your MVV and residence permit applications are approved, you will need to schedule an appointment at the Dutch Embassy or consulate to collect your MVV visa, which will be placed in your passport. With this MVV visa, you can now legally enter the Netherlands.
5. I have arrived in the Netherlands – what are the next steps?
After arriving in the Netherlands, you must make an appointment at the IND within 90 days from the date on which your MVV visa was granted in order to obtain your residence permit. To make an appointment at the IND, follow this link
You must also make an appointment at your local municipality (Gemeente) to register your residency, obtain your citizen service number (BSN number), and be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
Finally, your quest for finding a job in the Netherlands now begins. As you are now residing in the Netherlands, the likelihood of securing a job may be greater than if you were attempting to do so from abroad. There are several online platforms where you can explore available job opportunities, or alternatively, you can consider engaging recruitment agencies for assistance. For further guidance on finding a job in the Netherlands, please refer to this informative article.
The rules and procedures set out in this article are subject to change. Ensure that you check with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) at https://ind.nl/en or consult one of our legal experts for the most up-to-date information. Our firm would gladly assist you in making the process as easy as possible.
