If your business is planning to expand into the Netherlands, a fundamental part of the process is likely to be hiring foreign employees to help with the expansion. For these employees to work in the country, they will need work visas for the Netherlands.
Applying for work visas for the Netherlands can be complicated, with a range of administrative and regulatory hurdles, a language barrier, and more all having the potential to cause delays.
At Horizons, our foreign expansion experts provide a wide selection of Netherlands work visa solutions, immigration support, and outsourcing to give your business everything it needs to expand rapidly in the Netherlands with only the best global talent.
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Basic requirements for Netherlands work visas
- A valid passport and photos
- Police check
- Proof of funds
- Health check
- Proof of claims made as part of the application (such as qualifications)
Types of work visas and permits for the Netherlands
Nationals of countries in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland are able to enter and work in the Netherlands without any special documentation. For workers from outside these countries, however, a visa or permit is needed.
For roles lasting fewer than 90 days, employees can use a short-stay visa. For any roles lasting more than 90 days, they will need a residence permit. There are various kinds of residence permits. The permit for work in paid employment is generally the most suitable for foreign workers, but it is important to confirm this before applying as there are some exceptions to this.
How to get a work visa for the Netherlands
Your prospective employees will need to apply for their Netherlands work visas and permits through their local Dutch embassy or consulate. They will generally need to attend in person and supply all the requested documents along with application forms and fees.
Other considerations
Foreign workers are required to officially register their presence within five days of arrival to obtain a Citizen Service Number (BSN).
Additionally, the visa/permit application process can take anywhere between several days and several weeks, so you and your employees should always prepare well in advance to avoid any unexpected delays.
How can Horizons help?
At Horizons, we help organizations successfully expand to the Netherlands, and we are experts in the process of obtaining work visas for foreign workers. Our Netherlands work visa specialists offer reliable advice and tailored outsourcing services to support you. We will ensure that you and your valued workforce are in total compliance with the Netherlands’ immigration and employment regulations, save you time, and provide answers to any queries you may have.
Beyond this, we offer a wide range of outsourcing solutions to cover recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more to help your organization start trading in the Netherlands, even if you don’t have a registered entity in the country.
