Post Study Work Permit in Netherlands for Indian Students

What is Post-Study Work Permit in Netherlands?

Students who have completed their studies in the Netherlands are eligible to apply for a residence permit for an orientation year (post-study work visa) within three years of graduation. This will enable graduates to return home after graduation and subsequently return to the Netherlands. However, students can also apply for an orientation year directly. With the help of the orientation year residence permit, graduates and researchers are free to work in the Netherlands without any restrictions.

Importance of Netherlands Post Study Work Visa

Applicants who have well-thought-out reasons to study in the Netherlands also have in the back of their minds the intention to stay after graduation to work. While gaining hands-on experience is essential, the significance of a Netherlands post-study visa comes into play, allowing highly skilled graduates and researchers to work freely in the Netherlands without any restrictions. Apart from this, there are other points which make getting a PSW in the Netherlands after studying even more important and they are as follows:

1. The post-study work permit in the Netherlands serves as a bridge between holding a student visa in the Netherlands and obtaining a post-study work visa to gain work experience.
2. Applicants can extend their stay after graduation and gain work experience of give them time to set up their own business.
3. If applicants do not secure a job immediately after graduation, they retain the flexibility to apply for a visa within three years of their graduation date.
4. It is also important to avail post study work permit in Netherlands to earn and also contribute to the Dutch economy.

These points are essential for applicants to understand why getting a post study work permit is essential after graduation. 

How to Get Post-Study Work Visa Netherlands After Studies?

You are putting your career first by applying for study in the Netherlands. Dutch Universities are popular worldwide for their quality education and excellent links to the large multinational companies based there. As the Netherlands has strong ties to successful businesses, it is not surprising that many international students choose to stay in the Netherlands after completing their studies. After earning a degree from top universities in the Netherlands, students have numerous options that allow them to continue living and working there. Students can start their journey to studying, living, and working in the Netherlands with a foundation programme designed especially for international students at Holland International Study Centre.

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 the Orientation Year in the Netherlands if you have completed:

• a Master’s degree in the past three years, and it is related to the Erasmus Mundus Master's Course, or
• Bachelor/ Master’s programmes from a Dutch higher education institution, or
• a post-Master’s course of a minimum 10-month duration (at least 1 academic year) in the Netherlands, or
• a Ph.D. from a Dutch University, or
• a scientific researcher and fall under the highly skilled migrant category (under the directive (EU) 2016/801)
• a study in the Netherlands in the context of the Cultural Policy (Special-Purpose Funding) Act, or
• a study programme in the Netherlands, and the programme is related to the development cooperation policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or
• a Master’s degree or postgraduate training from a foreign top 200 university (as per the Times Rankings, the QS Rankings, and the Shanghai Rankings)

Also, it is ensured that the candidate has relevant English language proficiency and is well-versed in the subject (highly skilled professionals). This condition must be met with either of these:

• At least 6.0 on the IELTS, or
• At least 6.0 on the TOEFL, TOEIC and Cambridge English grades and scale.
• The Master’s, Doctoral, or Post-Master’s degree was in Dutch or English.

Moreover, it is mandatory to get all the foreign diplomas evaluated by Nuffic (except those from accredited higher education programmes in Flanders, Belgium).

Rules about Residence Permits for Orientation Year in the Netherlands

There are certain rules related to validity, minimum income criteria, and application fee, which a candidate needs to fulfil to obtain a permit for the Orientation year (Netherland post study work visa).

Validity

This residence permit is valid for one year and cannot be extended. If, however, you pursue another course (as per the abovementioned requirements), then this residence permit's validity is renewed. For example, if you undertake a research programme, even if you have had one orientation year, you can apply for another upon completing the research programme. This residence permit cannot be extended.

Orientation Year for a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa

Highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands can find employment or start their businesses after completing their studies. This is why the orientation year for highly educated persons' visas is introduced. You can apply for this residence permit within three years after completing your studies or obtaining your Ph.D. in the Netherlands or abroad. The orientation visa also allows graduates to work in the Netherlands. Highly educated persons can apply for a Netherlands visa valid for one year, the so-called 'Orientation year, highly educated persons' residence permit.

As a holder of this residence permit, graduates can work in the Netherlands without any restrictions. The monthly salary (without holiday allowance) must amount to €1,934.40, and the monthly salary (with holiday allowance) must amount to €2,089.16.

Explore the most popular job sectors in the Netherlands 

Application and Fee for Residence Permit for Orientation Year

International students looking to work in The Netherlands after graduation, doctorate, or research require a residence permit. The application forms can be submitted online after meeting all the requirements given below:

• You are living in The Netherlands
• You have graduated, obtained your doctorate, or researched in The Netherlands.
• You have a valid residence permit for that purpose
• You have a Citizen Service Number (burgerservicenummer or BSN).
• You must be registered in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen or BRP).
• You will require DigiD with SMS verification and internet banking (iDEAL).

Application fee: The application fee for the residence permit is €210.00.

How to apply for a Residence Permit for Orientation Year?

One can apply for the Residence Permit for Orientation Year, three months before your present residence permit expires. Check the steps given below to apply for the extension:

• Make sure all the requirements have been met before you apply
• Collect all the documents that are required to apply
• Apply online or by writing via post
• Pay the application fee
• Wait for the decision from IND (Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service), which decides within 90 days (the decision period).
• Make an appointment to collect the residence permit. Once the residence permit is ready, you will receive a letter at an IND desk.

What all work can be done with post study work permit in the Netherlands?

• You are free to work in the Netherlands, and your employer does not require a work permit.
• You can work as an independent entrepreneur.
• You can work as a self-employed worker.

How to Get PR in Netherlands?

After a five-year stay in The Netherlands, one can get a residence permit. To get a PR in the Netherlands after study, one needs to meet the following conditions:

• A valid Dutch residence permit for five years or more directly before the application
• Have always met and are still fulfilling the conditions of your residence permit
• A residence permit for a non-temporary purpose
• An uninterrupted five-year stay in The Netherlands before the submission of the application
• An independent, sustainable and sufficient income
• A civic integration Diploma

For additional details on how to get a PR for Netherlands, Indian applicants can check - PR for Netherlands After Studying.