Work visa in the Netherlands: a guide to moving to the Netherlands

The Dutch corporate culture highly values work-life balance. For instance, with your manager’s approval, you can finish your workday earlier. On sunny days, you might take a half-day off to spend time with your family. Or you could negotiate a shorter workweek, working four days a week, nine hours each day — this is quite common here. 

Dutch work culture is known for its emphasis on work-life balance and direct communication. Employees often work flexible hours, and there is a strong focus on efficiency during working hours to ensure ample personal time. Hierarchies are generally flat, and everyone’s opinion is valued, making it essential to be prepared for open, direct feedback.

However, it’s essential not to idealise the Netherlands too much. The Dutch mentality might not resonate with everyone; they are very direct. If you’re used to a different cultural approach, it might take some time to adjust.

The cost of living in the Netherlands is relatively high, especially in cities like Amsterdam. Expect to spend around €2,200 per month on average, including rent, groceries, transportation, and leisure. Housing is one of the largest expenses, with rents varying significantly depending on the location and type of accommodation

Housing in the Netherlands isn’t cheap, but salaries are quite high. According to the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, the average salary in the Netherlands in 2024 is €2,200 per month after taxes, but it is higher in Amsterdam.

Now that we’ve covered work, what about leisure? Those who love traveling and outdoor activities will enjoy it here. You can easily spend weekends in Germany or Belgium, or explore the local streets and go for a bike ride. Despite the developed transport network, bicycles remain the main mode of transport in cities.

The Netherlands offers every opportunity for a quality life, leisure, and career. read below about how to get a work visa in the Netherlands.

To obtain a work visa in the Netherlands, expats must have a valid reason for moving. The most common reasons for obtaining a residence permit are employment, education, and business. After five years of residence, you can apply for permanent residency.

Applications for residence permits in the Netherlands are handled by the local Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). While the IND processes the long-term residence permit, expats are usually first issued an MVV visa for entry into the country, valid for three months. Let’s explore the types of work visas available in the Netherlands.

To work in the Netherlands, non-EU or Swiss citizens must obtain Single Permit (GVVA) – a document that combines a residence permit and a work permit.  It is required if you plan to work in the country for more than three months.

Your future employer must first apply for an employment permit (the first part of the Single Permit), provided all the Dutch government requirements are met:

• You have a contract with a local employer for at least 12 months.
• Your future income meets the government’s set level. Check income requirements for 2024 here.
• Your employer could not find a suitable employee among EU or Swiss citizens. The vacancy was open for at least five weeks (or three months for some sectors), but no suitable candidates were found.

Once the employment permit is obtained, you can apply for a visa. If your employer is unfamiliar with the work permit procedures, you can study the entire process and handle part of it yourself.

🔥 🇳🇱 2024 requirements for GVVA visa in the Netherlands:

• Employment Contract: You need a contract with a Dutch employer for at least 12 months.
• Income Level: Your salary must meet the Dutch government’s minimum wage criteria. For 2024, the salary requirement is €2,297.80 per month for those aged 21 and older (full-time work) source: Dutch Government Minimum Wage Data, 2024.
• Employer Requirement: Your employer must demonstrate that they could not find a suitable candidate within the EU or Switzerland, meaning the position was advertised for a minimum of five weeks (or three months in specific sectors).

Detailed Information and Application Process for GVVA Visa

Who Doesn’t Need to Obtain a GVVA?

• Holders of the Blue Card
• Graduates of Dutch universities eligible for the Orientation Year program
• Entrepreneurs with a startup visa
• Family members of residence permit holders in the Netherlands with the right to work

There are also simplified rules for students who combine studies with 16 hours of work per week, trainees, artists, religious figures, and refugees.

This is a national programme for highly skilled professionals and one of the most popular work visas in the Netherlands. The Highly Skilled Migrant visa is issued for five years and is common among IT professionals – programmers, analysts, architects, engineers – as well as other in-demand professions, from marketing to recruitment.

🔥 🇳🇱 2024 requirements for work visa (Highly Skilled Migrant visa) in the Netherlands:

• A corresponding salary level, which depends on the employee’s age and is indexed annually. As of 2024, it is €5,008 per month for those over 30 years old and €3,672 per month for those under 30. If you graduated from a university course within the last three years, you might qualify for a lower threshold of €2,543 per month (similar to the Orientation Year visa requirements).
• The company you plan to work for must have special accreditation to invite workers from abroad. The list of such employers is available on the IND website. Your employer may also apply for this license specifically for you, and we have had cases where this has happened!

The Blue Card is a residence and work permit for highly qualified professionals from non-EU countries to work in the EU. Denmark and Ireland are not included in the Blue Card scheme.

The Blue Card is considered a permit for highly skilled professionals, essentially those who have completed a higher education course lasting at least three years. Additionally, the salary requirements for the EU Blue Card are higher than for the Highly Skilled Migrant visa—€5,867 per month before taxes for most professions.

Income Requirements for Blue Card and Highly Skilled Migrant Visas (2024)

The Blue Card does not offer significant advantages compared to the Highly Skilled Migrant system. The only exception is if you plan to move to another EU country soon. In that case, the time you spend in the Netherlands on a Blue Card will count toward the total years of work and residence on this visa in another country, allowing you to obtain permanent residency without additional delays.

To obtain a Blue Card, you need:

• An employment contract for at least one year.
• A set level of salary. In the Netherlands, this is €70,404 per year before taxes, or €58,080 for certain professions.
• A higher education diploma. If your education was not obtained in the Netherlands, it must be validated through the Nuffic system.
• Qualification verification, if necessary (for doctors, lawyers, etc.).

🔥 🇳🇱 2024 requirements for Blue Card in the Netherlands:

• Salary Requirement: The minimum salary requirement for the Blue Card in the Netherlands is €5,867 per month before taxes.
• Contract Duration: You must have an employment contract for at least one year.
• Higher Education Diploma: Your degree must be equivalent to at least three years of higher education. If your degree was not obtained in the Netherlands, it needs to be validated through the Dutch system, such as Nuffic.

You can obtain a student visa to study in the Netherlands. After graduating from a Dutch university, students have three years to apply for the Orientation Year for Highly Educated Persons programme. This program allows graduates to seek employment in the Netherlands for a year..

The startup visa is for those planning to launch their own innovative business. An immigrant working on their project must do so with a mentor. If the project is successful, the foreigner can apply for a residence permit after a year.

🔥 🇳🇱 2024  visa requirements:

• Collaboration with a Facilitator: You must work with an approved facilitator who supports startups.
• Innovative Business Idea: Your business idea must be innovative, with a well-structured business plan.
• Financial Requirements: There is no specific income requirement, but you must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay.

Details on the Startup Visa

This pilot programme will last only four years, from 1 June 2021 to 1 June 2025. Growing innovative startups can attract employees from around the world, welcoming both beginners and experienced professionals. The visa is issued for four years.

This program is for self-employed entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. It is issued for two years with the possibility of extension. To obtain the visa, you need to prepare a business plan that includes your professional experience, the nature of your business, and its value to the country’s economy. The plan is assessed using a point system, with a maximum of 100 points for each section. To qualify for the residence permit, you need at least 30 points for each part of the plan.

As the name suggests, this visa is for researchers and scientists. It is issued for up to five years and does not require as high a salary as, for example, the EU Blue Card.

This applies when you are transferred to a Dutch office within the same company. As with the Highly Skilled Migrant visa, your employer must sponsor the visa.

Moving for studies is one of the best options for immigration to the Netherlands . It offers the opportunity to obtain a prestigious diploma recognised worldwide and start an international career. After graduation, you have a year to find a job in the Netherlands.

Dutch universities offer a wide range of English-taught programmes. For example, the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), one of Europe’s top business schools, offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including MBA, Executive Education, and PhD courses.

On average, tuition for international students ranges from €6,000 to €20,000 per year, with scholarships available for the most talented students.

One of the most well-known scholarship programmes is the Orange Tulip Scholarship. Fourteen universities across the country offer over 40 grants for various specialisations, from economics to medicine. Other popular scholarships are listed on the Study in Holland website, where you can also find general information about studying in the Netherlands.

Highly talented students can also apply for government grants in the Netherlands, such as:

• NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship): Available to students who meet university requirements and do not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution. The scholarship offers a one-time payment of €5,337.
• Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP): This scholarship is a Dutch global development programme offered in 54 countries. The programme is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dutch universities also offer both merit-based and need-based scholarships:

• Merit-based scholarship from the University of Amsterdam: To apply, you must be enrolled in an English-taught program at the university. The scholarship is valid for one year but may be renewed based on the student’s performance.
• Scholarships from Delft University of Technology: These are specialized scholarships for master’s students in specific fields.
• Need-based scholarship from Utrecht University: Usually covers part of the expenses and is available to both bachelor’s and master’s students. You must provide information about your family’s income to apply.
• Scholarships at the University of Twente: Mainly available for master’s and doctoral students. To apply, you must be enrolled in a program. Awards range from €3,202 to €23,484.

Many believe that employment opportunities abroad have drastically reduced since February 2022. However, the experiences of our clients who received offers as recently as March 2024 prove otherwise. Let’s break down what you need to know.

If you already have work experience and your profession is in demand, you can confidently apply for a Highly Skilled Migrant visa or Blue Card. Common professions include not only IT specialists but also marketers, logistics professionals, energy experts, creative professionals, and more.

The most popular options to find a job with a work visa in the Netherlands include:

• Indeed
• Glassdoor

Local portals:

• Monsterboard
• Imexpat.nl
• Young Capital
• Tempo-Team
• Start People

Major aggregators: Randstad and Stepstone.

For IT/web jobs: Ictergezocht.nl, Careers.stackoverflow.com, Webdesign.nl.

Job listings for expats: Undutchables.nl, Togetherabroad.nl.

Here are three recruitment agencies in the Netherlands where you can send your CV:

• Blue Lynx
• Undutchables
• Unique Multilingual

Job hunting through social media can be more effective than through career websites.

Follow the pages of companies and communities that interest you. Stay updated on news and announcements, and share your own experiences. Engage in case studies and interact with colleagues—one professional comment might catch a recruiter’s attention and lead to further communication.

Try finding acquaintances and former colleagues who could recommend you for a position at your desired company. In Europe, job placements often rely heavily on networking and recommendations.

Don’t hesitate to contact recruiters or even company leaders where you’d like to work, even if there are no current vacancies. They might return to you with an offer when a suitable position opens.

You can find a recruiter’s contact details on the company’s website or use services like Hunter.io by entering the company’s domain.

A brief message of 5-7 sentences with an attached CV will suffice. Keep it concise: quickly explain how you can benefit the company.

Attend thematic events, network, and make new contacts. You can find such meetings in specific Telegram channels or on websites like Meetup.

Here are some tips on how to create an effective CV that won’t be overlooked by recruiters and help you find a job with a work visa in the Netherlands:

1. Your CV should have a minimalist design, with consistent fonts and text divided into sections. While it may seem obvious, many applicants underestimate the importance of harmonious formatting and go overboard with creativity. The simpler, the better: avoid bright colors, graphic elements like stars, underlines, etc.
2. Measure twice, cut once: always check your CV for grammatical errors. You can use tools like Grammarly for this.
3. It’s important to fill out your CV so that the recruiter understands who you are and what you’re about within the first 10 seconds. Review the key requirements for the positions you’re applying for and create a list of keywords to include in your description. For example, if the job posting for a marketing role mentions “performance,” ensure that word is in your CV. The more such matches, the easier it will be for the recruiter to see that you’re a perfect fit for the job.
4. Include not only your responsibilities but also your achievements using the structure “skill – activity – result.” For example: “Created a landing page with a 50% conversion rate, generating an additional €100,000 per annum in revenue for the company.” Pro tip: If you are looking for a job in the EU, convert all the currencies in your CV into Euro (€). It will make it easier for recruiters to read.
5. Make sure to save your CV with your name in PDF format, so the formatting doesn’t change when opened on another device. For example: John_Doe.pdf.

The most important thing when applying is to slightly tailor your CV to each job ad. To do this, you should:

• Highlight the exact requirements mentioned in the job description.
• Reflect relevant achievements from your previous position.
• Write a cover letter or at least a brief message demonstrating your interest in the job and your value.

Consistency is key in job searching. Set aside specific times for it: for example, half an hour each weekday and several hours on weekends.

Don’t send out hundreds of identical applications: focus on quality over quantity. We also recommend keeping a spreadsheet of all your applications so that when a recruiter calls, you don’t find yourself thinking, “Wait, did I apply there?”

Rejections are inevitable, but they’re not a reason to get discouraged. On average, only 10% of companies respond with an interview invitation out of 300 applications. Be patient and keep searching.

If you keep getting rejected, analyse your applications and learn from your mistakes. You can also ask recruiters for feedback. Send a short email like: “Good afternoon. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated in helping me grow professionally. Could we have a quick five-minute call?”