Residence Permit
In order to work in the Netherlands, you need a work permit. Depending on your personal situation, you may also be responsible for obtaining a residence permit and other related documents.
Citizens of the EU or EER simply need to provide a valid passport or identity card. If you are from outside the EU you need to apply for a visa in your country before you enter the Netherlands. This type of visa is called a Machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV).
Knowledge migrants
Those who have come to the Netherlands as a knowledge migrant (highly-skilled employee, or Kennismigrant) qualify for an accelerated process known as the kennismigrantregeling.
Work permit
Those coming to work in the Netherlands are required to have a valid work permit. This permit gives an employer the right to bring a foreign employee over to the country. The employer is responsible for requesting this permit. Are you an employer? Click here for more information.
Along with the work permit, you will also need a valid residency permit related to the length of your stay and your country of origin.
A stay of three months or less
If your stay will be lasting three months or less and you are not an EU or EER citizen, your situation may require a tourist visa. This will grant you the right to stay in the Netherlands. You will not need a visa if you are coming to the country as a highly skilled employee (‘knowledge migrant’) or if you are from the EU or EER. More information about the tourist visa.
A stay of longer than three months
If you want to stay in Amsterdam/Diemen longer than three months you have to apply for a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning). The application procedure is as follows:
Are you registered in Amsterdam?
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Yes: contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, IND)
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No: then register first with the City of Amsterdam. You will need to contact the City Population Register of Amsterdam (Dienst Persoons- en Geo-informatie). Please call 14 020 and ask for Dienst Persoons- en Geo-informatie. If you are calling from abroad dial +31 (0)20 624 1111.
For more information about the application procedure please visit the IND’s website.
Contacts
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Loket kennis- en arbeidsmigratie
Postbus 3022
2280 GA Rijswijk
Website: www.ind.nl
Telephone: 0900 1234561, € 0.10 p/m
From outside the Netherlands: +31 (0)20 889 3045
(Monday through Friday 09:00-17:00)
About the Immigration and Naturalisation Service
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service, part of the Ministry of Justice (Ministerie van Justitie), is responsible for implementation of the Netherlands’ aliens policy. The Service is responsible for assessing admission applications (e.g. for family reunification or working in the Netherlands). It also deals with residence permits for foreign nationals residing in the Netherlands and assesses asylum applications and naturalisation requests.
Expatcenter's Partners: Immigration Law
For a full list of the Expatcenter's partners or for more information on the Partnership Program, please click here.
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You can also reach us by phone:
+31 (0)20 254 79 99