Finding the right visa or residence permit is a crucial first step. Without it, even the best job opportunities may not be possible. Use the official Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) tool to find which visa and/or residence permit you qualify for.
Some common options include:
- EU/EEA free movement (for Europeans)
- EU/EEA and Swiss nationals don’t need a visa or residence permit to live or work in the Netherlands.
- Highly skilled migrant (for non-EU professionals)
- Designed for non-EU workers with specialized skills.
- Requires an employment contract with a recognized sponsor (employer approved by the IND)
- Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT; for US-citizens)
- Allows US-citizens to start a business or work as self-employed entrepreneurs in the Netherlands with lower requirements than other nationalities.
- Study + Orientation Year (for international students)
- Non-EU students can move to the Netherlands if accepted into a recognized Dutch university or higher education institution. After graduation, they can apply for the Orientation Year (zoekjaar) permit to look for work.
- Family/partner reunification
- Non-EU nationals can join a partner, spouse, or parent in the Netherlands.
- Au pair residence permit
- For young non-EU nationals (aged 18 – 25) who want to live with a Dutch host family. They help with childcare and light household tasks.
You can find more information about the different type of visa and/or residence permits on the IND website.