The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere and Haarlemmermeer, together with the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND), have joined forces to create the Expatcenter. The Expatcenter, situated in the World Trade Center in Amsterdam Zuid, provides a one-stop-shop service for highly skilled migrants.
Successful venture
The Expatcenter provides a one-stop-shop service for international companies and their highly skilled migrant employees. The Expatcenter is a joint initiative of the cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere and Haarlemmermeer, along with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
The Amsterdam Expatcenter was the first of its kind in the Netherlands, and was created to better meet the needs of international companies in the Amsterdam area. Since its opening in 2008, the center has proved to be very successful with hundreds of international companies making use of the streamlined procedures and more than 21,000 expats (as of March 2013) have visited the office at the WTC for registration.
The collective efforts have paid off; in a 2011 survey, companies ranked the services provided by the Expatcenter at 8.7 out of 10. This is a notable improvement from the 5 out of 10 ranking given to the former procedure.
Simplifying the process
The Expatcenter procedure allows employers to initiate the registration for a residence permit prior to their new employee’s arrival in the country. The advantage is that it allows highly skilled migrants (and their family members) to complete several important formalities in a single visit to the Expatcenter.
Expats are now able, in one appointment, to collect their residence permit and simultaneously complete the necessary registration with their municipality. As a result, they will also receive their citizen service number (BSN), allowing them to open a Dutch bank account, amongst other things. A beschikking (early IND approval) is also available for companies who would like their expat employees to start working within 2.5 weeks of their arrival.
The Expatcenter also provides services for EU citizens. All EU citizens working for a participating company of the IND’s highly skilled migrant ruling can visit the Expatcenter for their municipal registration. The Expatcenter can also provide vignettes (verklaring van inschrijving voor burger van de unie) if needed.
For more detailed information on the procedure please see: The Expatcenter Procedure and How to Apply.
Open for business
All companies based in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere and Haarlemmermeer who are eligible for the IND’s highly skilled migrant ruling can make use of the Expatcenter’s streamlined procedures. Regular informational meetings are organised by the Expatcenter for interested companies to learn more about the centre and its procedures. Further information on the highly skilled migrant ruling can be found on the IND website.
In 2011, the Expatcenter formed an official co-operation with the Dutch tax department in regards to the 30% tax ruling. Applications for the 30% ruling can now be made as part of the Expatcenter procedure. This Expatcenter service is now open to all companies based in one of the participating municipalities and who meet the criteria of the IND’s highly skilled migrant ruling.
At your service
Expatriates living in Amsterdam can now visit the Expatcenter for help with other expat-related issues. Expatcenter staff are ready and able to answer questions, provide information and offer advice on a wide range of topics.
Furthermore, a wealth of information is available throughout the Living section of this website.
The Expatcenter’s Partnership Program also connects expats with local expat-related service providers in the Amsterdam area and provides a full list of the Expatcenter’s trusted partners.
Please see Contact Us for the Expatcenter’s contact details, as well as a detailed route description to our office.