Residence permit
To work in the Netherlands you need a work permit. Depending on your personal situation, you may also need a residence permit and other related documents.
Citizens of the EU or EEA need to provide a valid passport or identity card. If you are from outside the EU apply for a visa in your country before entering the Netherlands. This type of visa is called a Machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV).
Highly skilled migrants
Highly skilled migrants (knowledge migrants or Kennismigranten) coming to the Netherlands qualify for an accelerated process known as the kennismigrantregeling.
Work permit
You need a valid work permit in order to work in the Netherlands. The permit gives an employer the right to bring a foreign employee to the country. The employer is responsible for requesting the permit. Are you an employer? Click here for more information.
Together with the work permit, you also need a valid residence permit which is related to your length of stay and country of origin.
A stay of three months or less
If your stay is three months or less and you are not an EU or EEA citizen, your situation may require a tourist visa. The visa grants you the right to stay in the Netherlands. You do 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. For 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). To apply follow the application procedure below.
Are you registered in Amsterdam?
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Yes: Contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) IND’s website.
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No: Register first with the City of Amsterdam. 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 IND’s website.
Contacts
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Loket kennis- en arbeidsmigratie
Postbus 3022
2280 GA Rijswijk
Website
Telephone: 0900 123 4561( € 0.10 p/m )
From outside the Netherlands: +31 (0)20 889 3045
(Monday through Friday 09:00-17:00)
About Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Immigration and Naturalisation Service is part of the Ministry of Justice (Ministerie van Justitie) and is responsible for implementation of the Netherlands’ immigration policy. The Service assesses entrance applications (e.g. for family reunification or work in the Netherlands). It also deals with residence permits for foreign nationals residing in the Netherlands, requests for asylum and/or naturalisation.
Expatcenter's Partners in Immigration Law
For a full list of the Expatcenter's partners or for more information on the Partnership Program, please click here.
Further information
If you require further information, call the city information number 14 020 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:00).
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You can also reach us by phone:
+31 (0)20 254 79 99