Work Permit Visa in Netherlands: Netherlands Student Visa Guide

Work permit visa in the Netherlands accepts all international students or scholars all over the world to work while they study. When looking for jobs in the Netherlands, one thing to consider is whether you need a working permit or not. There are different requirements for international students based on their nationality. Netherland universities are known for their excellent links to large multi-national companies. With such strong ties to successful businesses, it’s not surprising so many international students stay in the Netherlands after they complete their studies.

The Netherlands, which is popularly known as Holland, is a beautiful country in mainland Europe, it is the first non-native English-speaking country to offer English-taught courses to international students.

International students can study degree programs in the Dutch or English language, thus making it a great study destination for all international students.

Students from the EU (except for Croatia) do not need a working permit. Non-EU students, most of the time, require a working permit or have a limited number of hours that they can work.

Requirements for Student Visa for the Netherlands

• Birth certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Official letter from the academic institution in the Netherlands
• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport
• Two photographs
• Complete study plan – explain why you are interested in studying the chosen subject area and how and why it is related to your studies.
• Tuberculosis test (required for citizens from some countries)
• Photocopies of all the original documents
• Biometric information
• Financial proof for the entire period of study (around 870 EUR/month)
• Travel and health insurance
• Visa application fee (174 EUR)
• Photocopies of all the original documents.

Can I Work With a Netherlands Student Visa?

Affirmative, you can work with it if you are in the Netherlands with a student visa. However, below are limitations to it:

• You are only allowed to work a maximum of 16 hours a week.
• Students can work full-time only during the months of June, July, and August (seasonal labor).
• You will need to have a work permit. Your employer needs to acquire this on your behalf.
• Candidates don’t need a work permit if they’re doing an internship as part of your course. However, your employer has to sign an internship agreement with you and your university.

Other things you should keep in mind for studies in the Netherlands:

• In order to be paid, you must have a citizen service number (also known as a Burger Service Number.)
• You will receive this number after you register at the local municipality.
• Then, You still need to file and pay income tax. If you are living in the Netherlands and receive income, you are considered a resident and must pay taxes.

Types of Netherlands Student Visas (Work Permit Visa in the Netherlands)

• Netherlands short-stay student visa: This will be issued if your course/training will take less than three months.
• Netherlands student visa for secondary and vocational courses: It is always granted to students from Suriname, Indonesia, or South Africa but others may be eligible also. However, they must have family in the Netherlands and be able to speak and write in Dutch.
• Netherlands long-stay student visa: Also known as a student residence permit, it allows students to complete their studies in the Netherlands for up to five years.

Language requirements for studying in the Netherlands

For language purposes, a minimum level of English language proficiency is required before you can study at any degree level in the Netherland. This is not only for English-taught programs but sometimes for those taught in Dutch as well.

The main accepted English tests are:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic

How Long Does a Netherlands Student Visa Last?

A Netherlands Student Visa lasts only as long as your study program. It allows the holder to stay in the country for up to five years in order to finish their studies.

Candidates can also apply for a one-year residency before their course in order to prepare, after graduation, students can apply for an orientation permit. This permit allows them to stay in the Netherlands for a year in order to look for work.

Residence permit in the Netherlands (Work Permit Visa in the Netherlands)

Okay, look at how is done: universities will apply for the residence permit (VVR) on your behalf, but they will charge for this service.

Upon successful completion of your program of higher education in the Netherlands, you may apply for a residence permit valid for five years.

You are obliged to obtain a residence permit to study in the Netherlands if you are a citizen of a non-EU/EAA country.

The residence permit has the role of a study visa and allows you to stay in the country for the full duration of your study program.

Students from EU, EEA (except Croatia), and Switzerland do not require a work permit, all international students are permitted to work alongside their studies.

For non-EU and non EEA students, a work permit is required to work and the permit has to be obtained by the prospective employer on your behalf.

There is also a possibility of permit extension If needed, the VVR can be extended to an additional three months, plus the preparatory year.

After you arrive in the Netherlands, you have to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BPR) in the municipality where you are going to live.

or Switzerland and are planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months. It is very important to arrive in the Netherlands with the correct visa; if you arrive on a short stay visa you won’t be able to apply for a resident permit. The residence permit has to be applied for within five days of arriving in the Netherlands.

Working while studying in the Netherlands

If you want to work while pursuing your studies in the Netherlands, you might need a work permit, depending on your nationality.

Citizens from the EU/EEA (except for Croatia), Switzerland, and Japan do not need a work permit and have no restriction on the number of work hours.

Citizens from Croatia and other countries will need a work permit and only the employer or employment agency can apply for the work permit on their behalf.

Requirements to work as an EU and non- EU citizen in Netherland

EU Citizens

If you are an EU citizen, below are a few requirements:

1. Insurance: if you want to work in the Netherlands, you need Dutch health insurance. Without working, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is sufficient.
2. BSN (Burgerservicenummer): A BSN is a unique number provided to each citizen of the Netherlands. You need to obtain one the moment you start studying in the Netherlands.

Non-EU Citizens (Work Permit Visa in the Netherlands)

1. Insurance: Non-EU citizens who come to study in the Netherlands are required to have Dutch health insurance already, so if you want to work, you are covered on the insurance front.
2. BSN (Burgerservicenummer): A BSN is a unique number provided to each citizen of the Netherlands. You need to obtain one immediately after you start studying in the Netherlands.
3. Time Restrictions: part-time work in the Netherlands, non-EU students are allowed to work a maximum of 16 hours per week. However, if you are a freelancer (your own boss), you can work unlimited hours.
4. Authorize Residence Permit with: After completing your studies, you need to switch the reason for your residence permit. This switch will be to a permit for highly skilled migrants or get a residence permit to find a job.
5. Zoekjaar: A “zoekjaar” is the period you are granted after completing your studies to look for work in the Netherlands or explore other educational opportunities. You need to apply for this directly & pay a fee.
6. How to apply for a working permit: To get a working permit, you need to be employed at a company that is recognized by the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Netherlands). This company will then apply for a working permit for you.

Steps to apply for the residence permit extension (Work Permit Visa in the Netherlands)

Note: Students can only apply for the extension of their residence permit 3 months before the expiration of their current residence permit.

To change your residence you need to:

1. Firstly, Apply online through your DigiD account (http://digid.nl/)
2. Upload all the required documents
3. Pay the application fee of 174 EUR
4. Immigration and Naturalization Services (IND) will send you a confirmation email on receiving your application
5. Once your residence permit is ready, IND will send you a letter informing you to collect your residence permit
6. Make an appointment with IND online within 4 months after receiving the letter
7. You will receive an appointment code on the registered email ID
8. Carry the following documents to the IND desk to collect your new residence permit
   • Your passport and travel documents
   • Appointment code
   • Current/expired residence permit
9. Finally, the residence permit will be issued after document verification