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Entry to Netherlands: Visas / Residence / Work Permits
Immigration law in the Netherlands is quite complex and you may need to jump a few bureaucratic hoops to live and work in the country. This article gives a brief overview of the situation but you should consult the Dutch Immigration Department (IND) or a legal specialist for further information or specific questions. |
Netherlands is part of the Schengen area where there are no passport controls for travel between Schengen countries (which are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). Note, the UK is not within the Schengen zone so you will need to go through passport control if flying to/from the UK.
Visitors coming from EU / EEA / Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Netherlands. Nor do they need a residence permit to stay and work in the Netherlands - a valid passport is sufficient under European law.
Citizens from selected countries (including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, various south American & Caribbean states) have visa free entry for up to 90 days. Citizens from other countries will need a Schengen visa to enter for up to 90 days. Applications must be made from the citizen's home country at a Schengen country consulate - certain conditions must be met.
For stays of up to 6 months you generally need a temporary residence authorisation (MVV - machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf) which also needs to be applied for outside the Netherlands, subject to restrictions. Those from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Korea or Japan do not need an MVV in most cases.
For longer stays (such as working, studying, joining a Dutch partner or family reunion) you will need a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) which are issued for up to 5 years. After that period permanent residency or becoming a Dutch national is possible.
Those in Netherlands via a Dutch partner can change their residence permit to an independent basis after 3 years.
Working in Netherlands
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are free to work in Netherlands. Citizens from other countries need to have a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning) which must be applied for by the employer, subject to various criteria being met.
An effective new scheme has been set up recently to attract more highly skilled individuals to the country. Knowledge migrants (kennismigranten) are able to go through a faster and more streamlined procedure via "Expatcenter" offices run by the IND. Employers can lodge an application before the employee arrives in the country - an MVV is issued so that the employee can start work immediately on arrival whilst waiting for a residence permit. Knowledge migrants must fulfil certain conditions including minimum salary requirements (generally €49k per annum or €36k for under 30s).
In Amsterdam the Expatcenter is located at the WTC in Amsterdam Zuid.
Working Holiday Scheme - Nationals of Australia, New Zealand and Canada aged 18-30 can apply for a 1 year working holiday visa. An MVV is issued which can be activated into a 12 month working holiday permit after arrival.
Arrival in Netherlands
On arrival in Netherlands a foreign national officially has to register with the Aliens Police (vreemdelingenpolitie) within 72 hours - unless staying in a hotel or other accommodation which keeps a register.
Those coming to live in Netherlands must go to register with the local municipal authority (gemeentelijke basisadministratie persoonsgegevens GBA). At the council you must also get a burger service nummer (BSN) - formerly known as the SOFI nummer - basically a fiscal / government ID number needed in order to work, open bank accounts, use public services etc.
Mandatory ID Law
In 2005 it became mandatory for anyone in Netherlands to carry proof of identity at all times. The introduction of the law was controversial and caused particular consternation amongst law-abiding old ladies who had neither passports or driving licenses (they had to get themselves Dutch ID cards). In fact the last time the country had such strict ID laws was during WW2.
For compliance, acceptable forms of ID are a passport, residence permit, EU/EEA driving license or EU/EEA ID card. If you cannot produce such a document when asked by a police officer or certain other public official you risk a fine of at least €50. Be aware if you ride a bicycle in Netherlands that the police do occasionally set up check points and may flag down cyclists to check bikes and ID.
Please note, unfortunately we cannot answer individual questions on immigration issues. Regulations are subject to change. For more info check the Residence Wizard at the Dutch immigration service (ind.nl) or the services section of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (minbuza.nl). Alternatively consult an immigration lawyer.