Residence permits

If you are a non EU/EER citizen and your stay in the Netherlands will be longer than 90 days, you will probably need a residence permit. The residence permit is a plastic card the size of a credit card and serves as proof of your lawful residence in the Netherlands. The full rights you receive depend on the residence permit’s purpose of stay.

Each residence permit is given for a specific ‘purpose of stay’, which dictates the rights attached to the residence permit.

Scientific staff

• Researchers under the EU directive 2016/801

Under Directive (EU) 2016/801 you are allowed to work as a researcher in the Netherlands. Find out what the requirements are on the IND-website.

Other academic highly skilled staff

• Highly skilled migrant scheme

You need a residence permit to work in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant. Only an employer recognised by the IND can apply for a residence permit for you. Read what the requirements are on the IND-website.

• European Blue Card

With a European Blue Card, you can work in the Netherlands as a highly educated migrant. Find out what the requirements are on the IND-website.

Researchers holding a residence permit under the EU Directive for researchers, traveling from another EU country might be legible to use the EU Intramobility scheme. Directive (EU) 2016/801 provides that researchers from outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can carry out their research in several EU countries. This is called intra-EU-mobility. Researchers choose a first EU Member State where they are going to carry out research. Afterwards the researcher can carry out parts of the research in one or more other EU countries. For more information please visit the IND webiste: EU Intramobility scheme.

The Dutch residence permit system for highly skilled migrants and scientific researchers is based on a contract between the immigration services (IND) and the host institutions, which recognizes the host institution/employer as a recognized sponsor. Only with a recognized sponsor label  can a host institution, (like a company or research institution) receive third country nationals for the purpose of highly skilled work such as scientific research. This contract allows for quick and smooth procedures and exemption for a work permit application. 

Three consequences

1. Firstly you cannot apply for your residence permit yourself, this can only be done by a host who has a contract with the IND.
2. Secondly being a recognised sponsor gives certain responsibilities to your host institution.They will have to act as a responsible partner to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service, and they will need to gather certain personal information and documentation on their behalf. You will need to inform your host institution of any changes in your residence status and they are your first point of call for questions. 
3. The procedures are extremely slim and quick.

The duration of a residence permit for scientific work equals your contract, with a maximum of 5 years. If your stay will exceed this duration. Your host organisation will apply for an extension. (make sure they apply for this extension in time, so you will not end up with a gap in your years of residence.) When you change employers or tasks, a change of residence permit might be necessary. If this is the case, this will also be dealt with by your (future) employer/host organisation. Of course if you will no longer work for an employer, you will have to take care of this yourself.

If you are going abroad for research purposes different rules apply to you depending on your residence permit, the lenght of your stay and the country you are going to.

Your residence permit allows you to enter and exit the Netherlands and travel through the Schengen area. Your stay in other Schengen countries is limited to a maximum period of 90 days within a period of 180 days. If you intend to stay abroad longer, you must comply with the immigration regulations of that country. Use the Short-stay Visa Calculator to calculate your remaining travel days under a Schengen short-stay visa.

If you are going abroad for a longer period of time, different rules apply to you depending on your residence permit, the length of your stay, the purpose of your stay abroad and the country you are going to. Researchers holding a residence permit under the EU Directive for researchers, traveling to another EU country might be legible to use the EU Intramobility scheme. Please notify the HR department of your insitution in time of your travelplans, so they can notify the government at least 1 month before your leave. This notification is part of an obligatory EU registration of researchers mobility. For Highly Skilled Migrants different rules apply. Please also note that the duration of your stay abroad could have implications for your residency status in the Netherlands. For more information please contact the HR department of your institution or visit the IND website.

• Residence permit for orientation year 

If you want to look for work in the Netherlands after your graduation, doctorate or research, you might be eligible for an orientation year permit. This permit allows you to look for a job in the Netherlands for the duration of one year. During this year you are free on the Dutch labour market. Applicants are able to apply for this permit themselves. For more information, please visit the IND-website or The Netherlands Point of Entry.

• Start-up visa

The Dutch residence permit for startups is for people from outside the European Union (EU), who are looking to start an innovative business in the Netherlands. The residence permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year. During this time, you must produce or introduce an innovative new product or service under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. For more information, please visit the IND-website.

• Residence permit self-employed person

You want to start working on a self-employed basis in the Netherlands. Find out what the requirements are to work as a freelancer and how to apply for the residence permit for a self-employed person on the IND-website.

For more information please contact your employer/host organisation, or the website of the Dutch Immingration and Naturalisation Services IND.