Post Graduate Work Permit In Netherlands

A Post-Graduate Work Permit in Netherlands is obtainable to non-Dutch graduates from Dutch universities under the 2+1 rule. The Post Graduate work permit is a unique and easy to obtain work permit as it does not require the employer to apply for it. All you need is an offer letter from your prospective employer, proof of financial support, and be enrolled in a post graduate program at or above master’s level within the authorized field of study.

If you have completed your graduation then you may be wondering how to enhance your career. If yes, then working on a post graduate program should help you in enhancing your skills. The best way to know about the post graduate work permit in Netherlands is to find out more about the Dutch immigration policy of recruiting foreign graduates.

The Netherlands offers International students a great way of staying back in the country to continue their studies. Being a part of EU, Netherlands attracts students for its high quality education system and work permit opportunities it offers to the international students.

Post Graduate Work Permit In Netherlands

As a member state of the European Union, Netherlands has a huge list of offers for the international students. In addition, the country’s main industries are education, agriculture and designing which makes it one of the most sought-after destinations for international students. The Netherlands attracts many students every year from all across the world to pursue higher studies in any of its universities. It is not always possible for all international students to go there for a degree program but if you have the opportunity then do try out atleast one degree program outside your country. While changing your environment and studying in an entirely new place is something exhilarating, it can also become expensive if you are not careful. While you are away from home and probably missing you parents, there is no option but to be careful on how you spend your money. And this depends entirely on how wisely you choose to spend your hard-earned money. Though higher education in Netherlands might seem cheap, it is quite on the contrary or rather very expensive than what it seems to be. Post-Graduation complications can even cost more than what you would expect to pay while pursuing an undergraduate degree in your country. Knowledge costs money and therefore spending more than expected during post-graduate studies can feel like utter stupidity especially

Netherlands’ as a study abroad destination offers unique opportunities to international students. The most pronounced one is the post study work permissions – called the Search/ Orientation Year or ‘zoekjaar’ in Dutch. Simply put, students completing their bachelors’ or/and masters’ from an accredited Dutch University are eligible to apply for a Residence Permit for ‘Orientation Year’ which is valid for one year. Not only that, as per new regulations in effect from March1, 2016 – students have three years after completion of their degree program to apply for this permit. What it suggests is that if you have completed your bachelors/ masters or research work in 2016 then you have till 2019 to apply for the permit to arrive and work in Netherlands and find a relevant job. Even graduates of Top 200 Ranked Universities of the World* can also apply for this permit to find meaningful employment in Netherlands. This article deals in explaining the eligibility in detail, what all does the Orientation year entail and how to convert the same to a Work Permit.

*Top 200 as per

• Times Higher Education World University Rankings
• QS World University Rankings
• Academic Ranking of World Universities

Eligibility Requirements for application for a residence permit for Search/ Orientation year

As an International Student you are eligible to apply for a permit for Orientation Year in Netherlands if:

• You have completed bachelors/ master’s programs from a Dutch higher education institution, or
• You have completed a postgraduate course of minimum 12-month duration in Netherlands, or
• You are a PhD graduate from a Dutch University, or
• You have completed a scientific research and fall under the highly skilled migrant category (under the directive 2005/71/EC)
• You have completed an Erasmus Mundus Master’s course, or
• You have completed training in the framework of specific cultural policy development cooperation policy, or
• You have completed a master’s degree or postgraduate training from a foreign top 200 university* – this is to ensure that the candidate has relevant English language proficiency and is well versed in the subject (high skilled professionals)

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Rules pertaining to Residence Permit for Orientation Year in Netherlands

There are certain rules related to validity, minimum income criteria, and application fee, which a candidate needs to fulfill in order to obtain a permit for the Orientation year.

Validity

This residence permit is valid for one year only and cannot be extended. If, however, you pursue another course (as per requirements mentioned above) then the validity of this residence permit is renewed. For example, if you undertake a research program, then even if you have had one orientation year, you can apply for another on completion of the research program.

Working & Work Permit Requirements

As per the new guidelines, you do not need a work permit to work while on this residence permit as against the working while studying guidelines for international students on Student Visa for Netherlands.

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Sufficient Means of Support

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) of the Netherlands requires proof of sufficient means of support. However, the same is not applicable during the orientation year. If, however, you do get a job then not only do you need to get the visa changed to a relevant work permit, you also must meet the sufficient means of support criterion as laid down by IND. At present IND mandates that you must have a job which pays you a minimum of €3,108 or €4,240 monthly for highly skilled migrants of below 30 years and above 30 years respectively. However, if you have completed or were in an orientation year, then this income requirement is reduced to €2,228 per month.

Application & Fee

On completion of your graduation, while you still have a valid residence permit, you can apply at the local IND office for ‘Orientation year for highly educated persons’. The application form is available online. You would require specific documents basis your category. Also, effective Jan 1, 2016, a non-refundable fee of €622 is chargeable for the application of this residence permit. The application would also include:

• Health Charde: €624 per applicant
• Additional visa cost: €700 per applicant
• Special cases can avail €55 discount on their application

How to apply for a Residence Permit extension?

One can apply for the Residence Permit extension 3 months before the expiration of your present residence permit.

Process of changing the residence permit:

Step 1: You need to apply online through digid account

Step 2: Upload all the requested documents

Step 3: Pay application fee of €174

Step 4: You will receive a confirmation email from IND once they receive your application

Step 5: IND will inform you through a letter to collect your residence permit when it is ready

Step 6: Within 4 months of receiving the letter, you need to make an appointment with IND,

it will also share your appointment code on your registered email ID

Step 7: Residence permit will be issued after verifying your documents

Documents to carry to IND while collecting a new residence permit

• Appointment code
• Passport or any other travel-related documents
• Present residence permit

Getting a Citizen Security Number

• Once you collect the residence permit, you need to make an appointment with the local municipality
• Register with the personal record database and submit your residence permit
• After successful registration, you will get a Citizen Registration Number