Work permits for employees in the Netherlands: A complete guide for employers

Expanding your global workforce goes beyond payroll. Before hiring someone moving to or already residing in the Netherlands, it’s essential to confirm their work permit and residence permit status. Ensuring your potential employees are legally authorized to work in the country will help you avoid any potential penalties or bans.

Before onboarding your first Dutch employee, read this guide on the Dutch requirements for a work permit, who needs one, how to apply for one, and other frequently asked questions about work permits in the Netherlands.

What is a work permit in the Netherlands?

Requested by the prospective employer, a work permit (or Netherlands work visa) is a document issued to any non-EU citizen the company wants to hire so they can work legally in the country. The work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV) is only valid under the company that initially requested it. If the employee leaves the company, the work permit expires and the employee has three months to find new employment.

Only a TWV work permit is necessary if the employment is less than 90 days. However, if the employment contract exceeds 90 days, the foreign employee will need a combined residence and work permit (GVVA) also called a single permit.

The Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen – UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) issues GVVA work permits in the Netherlands. The other types of work permits are issued by the Dutch Immigration Authorities. As an employer, you must make reasonable efforts to fill the position within the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland before considering a foreign worker.

Who needs a work visa in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, work permits are not needed for citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA- Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland. All other foreign nationals will need a work permit to work in the Netherlands legally.

There are a few exceptions for certain individuals:

• Individuals that already have a residence permit with a note that allows them to work, shown as “work is freely allowed” (or ‘arbeid is vrij toegestaan’ in Dutch).
• Self-employed foreign nationals with a resident permit for self-employed individuals
• Foreign nationals who have a residence permit that allows them to found a start-up
• Work Permit Holders with a “Highly-Skilled Migrant" Work Permit whose work experience and knowledge bring excellent skills to the Dutch economy
• Work Permit Holders who work across EU borders with a “Blue-Card” Work Permit
• Foreign workers outside of the Netherlands performing short-term tasks like attending work-related meetings in the Netherlands

Hiring in the Netherlands? Learn how to create a compliant offer letter with our guide.
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How long does it take to get a work permit in the Netherlands?

It depends. If the employment contract exceeds 90 days, the employee will require a Schengen long-stay visa to enter and reside in the Netherlands.

If the employer is a recognized sponsor in the Netherlands, the single permit (combined permit for residency and work) will take around 12 weeks (3 months) to be issued by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). If the employer is not a recognized sponsor, it will take up to 24 weeks (6 months) as the employer will first need to apply with the Dutch Immigration Authorities to become a sponsor before the Employee’s work permit is processed.

Once the application is approved, the employer will receive the employee’s Regular Provisional Residence Permit - MVV (a type of visa) and work permit. It is recommended that this process be initiated while the employee is not residing in the Netherlands to avoid any issues if not approved.

Types of work visas in the Netherlands

There are two main types of work permits in the Netherlands. If you want to hire foreign workers from outside an EU member state, you’ll need to request work permits for them as an employer. In the Netherlands, the UWV considers an employee any person for whom you are applying for a work permit, including an intern or contractor.

The work permit sponsored by employers that are chosen will depend on the duration and type of employment, as the UWV reviews both types of applications with the same criteria. These are the two work permits available to employers:

• Highly Skilled Migrant Permit or an EU Blue-Card Work Permit are  issued  by the Dutch Immigration Authorities to employees who work for a recognized sponsor in the Netherlands on the basis of a work contract and fulfills specific age, salary and experience requirements.
  
  For highly-skilled migrants age 30 or older, a higher income requirement applies than for highly-skilled migrants under the age of 30 or for those who have graduated in the Netherlands. The amounts are index-linked on a yearly basis. For 2023, the monthly gross income excluding vacation pay is €5,008 for employees 30 years and older, €3,672 for employees under 30, and €2,631 for a highly-skilled migrant employed during the Orientation Year for graduates of a Dutch University/highly educated persons. For a EU-blue card holder, the amount is  €5,867.
• This income requirement does not apply to highly-skilled migrants performing scientific research or to physicians in training to become specialists. In these cases, the income must at least meet the provisions listed in the Dutch Minimum Wage Act (wml).

Depending on the employee’s home country, the employer may need to file an MVV, an entry visa, at the same time as the combined residence permit. The entry visa will allow the employee to travel to the Netherlands and pick up their residence permit. There are a few country exemptions to this visa.

Application process for the Netherlands work visas

For a short-stay work permit

If the employee has a short-stay and only needs a TWV work permit, the employer must apply for them. The employee cannot apply on their behalf. Confirm that the employee has a valid short-stay visa in the country for up to 90 days. You can apply through the TWV via the employer portal, and the process will take up to five weeks.

For a long-stay work and residence permit
Foreign citizens from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland must apply for a GVVA permit if they are coming to work for a Dutch employer for more than three months. Either the employee or employer can apply for a GVVA at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), but the employer is recommended as they will manage the entire process.

The single permit will allow them to live and work in the country past 90 days. Here are the general requirements for the work visa application:

• A valid passport
• Employment contract
• MVV application, if applicable
• A clear criminal record
• Two passport photos
• Health insurance
• A medical test for tuberculosis, if applicable
• Sufficient income earning for the Netherlands as of January 1, 2023
• List of qualifications or updated CV (resume)
• The recognized employer by the Dutch government

All documents must be notarized and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German. The employer must apply to the Dutch Immigration Authorities, “IND” for the single permit, and it is recommended that the employee is not yet in the country in case of denial. The Dutch Immigration Authorities, “IND” will take up to 90 days for a decision after the application is submitted and paid. When the single permit is ready to pick up, the Dutch Immigration Authorities, “IND” will notify the employer.

It’s vital to your company’s reputation to stay compliant and to double-check local requirements per Dutch law. You can incur penalties and even get banned from operating in the Netherlands by failing to do so.

Rippling can connect you with immigration services to help you sponsor work visas around the world. Talk to our team

Frequently asked questions about work permits for employees in the Netherlands

Do US citizens need a work permit to work in the Netherlands?

​​Yes. While US citizens can enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days without applying for a long-stay visa, they must have a work permit and residence permit obtained through the Dutch Immigration Authorities, “IND” that allows them to work and stay in the country past 90 days.

How long does your company need to list a vacancy before employing a foreign national in the Netherlands?

The vacancy must be open for at least five weeks and a minimum of three months. You can only employ a third-country national worker if you’ve exhausted your search inside the European Union, as the UWV requires.

What documents are required to apply for a Dutch work permit?

When applying for a Dutch long-stay work permit, a worker will need at a minimum:

• A valid passport
• Employment contract
• MVV application, if applicable
• A clear criminal record
• Two passport photos
• Health insurance
• A medical test for tuberculosis
• Sufficient income earning for the Netherlands
• List of qualifications or updated CV (resume)
• The recognized employer by the Dutch government

Before submitting your employee’s application, consult the IND and the UWV’s websites to make sure the application is complete, and there are no new requirements. All documents need to be in English, Dutch, German or French.

What’s the fastest way to get a work permit in the Netherlands?

Before expanding your workforce into the Netherlands, it’s essential to apply to be recognized as a sponsor by the Dutch government to expedite future work permits from 90 days to seven weeks. The recognition of the sponsor application fee is €4,326.

Only two categories apply for accelerated processing:

• Employees in senior management and specialists that come to the Netherlands to learn additional skills as apprentices
• Top artists in dramatics, theater, musicals, and dance

How much does it cost to get a Dutch work permit?

If your company wants to hire a foreign national or move an existing employee to a Netherlands office, the transferee’s first application will cost €350, with each extension also being €350. Each family member costs €210 for their first application, including a spouse and children under 18.

Are family members included in work visa applications in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, family members can be included in work visa applications, depending on the type of work permit the employee will be under. For example, if the employee is a transferee, the single permit application can include immediate family members like a spouse and children under 18.

Family members will not be automatically included in a seasonal work permit and may need to make separate visa applications under personal circumstances.

How do you renew your Dutch work permit?

A single permit is valid for a maximum of three years but validity depends on the duration of contractual employment. The employer must submit for an extension if the employment contract is extended and if the visa will expire. The short-stay seasonal work permit for less than 90 days is valid for a maximum of one year, after which you can apply for a renewal.

The renewal must be started within three months of the expiration date to prevent a resident gap. You can renew up to four weeks after expiration by including a letter explaining your delay.

If the employee has a single permit or combined residence permit through your company, or is a holder of a European blue card, they can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years.

Is there a limit on the number of work permits you can obtain in the Netherlands?

With ever-changing regulations by the Dutch government, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis as you can move to a different type of visa, or there may be tasks that you don’t need a work permit for. It’s important to consult a local legal entity to confirm the employee’s work permit status.

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Rippling can connect you with immigration services to help you sponsor work visas around the world; enquire for more information.

Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.