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Besides the widely known highly skilled migrant visa and European blue card visa, the Netherlands also offers a range of residence permits tailored to highly skilled professionals, researchers, recent graduates, and creatives. These permits are governed by national and EU legislations to facilitate mobility, economic growth, and international collaboration. These visas can be applied by the employee, employer and the institution such as universities in the Netherlands and the recognised referents that are registered at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
The intra-corporate transferee permit, as known as the ICT permit, is based on the EU Directive 2014/66 and it is intended for non-EU employees temporarily transferred within a multinational company to the branch in the Netherlands. It also aims to harmonize the rules for intra-corporate transfers across EU member states. It allows managers, specialists, and trainees to work in the Netherlands while remaining on a foreign employment contract. The validity of the ICT permit can be one or three years, depending on the length of the transfer contract and the job position of the personnel (one year for trainees; and three years for managers or specialists). Upon obtaining the ICT visa, the transferee may also enjoy short-term mobility within the EU.
To qualify for the ICT visa in the Netherlands, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
Additionally, the applicant must have been employed by the company for at least three months prior to the transfer and must continue to be employed by the foreign company during the transfer. Certain industries require a professional license, such as doctors and architects. In this context, the applicant must show that he/she is allowed to practise that profession in the Netherlands.
It is important to understand that the ICT work permit is issued only once for a fixed term of one or three years, and the permit itself is not renewable. The rationale behind is that the nature of the ICT permit focuses on the term ‘transfer’, which implies short and temporary. If the employee wishes to apply for a new ICT visa again, he/she must leave the EU for at least six months before submitting a new application for the ICT visa. It means that it is impossible for the ICT visa holders to apply directly for the long-term residence or naturalisation in the Netherlands.
Family members of the ICT holders are entitled to family reunifications. Family members include the spouse, unmarried partner and/or children who are under 18 years old.
If the corporate agrees to extend the employment of the staff concerned in the Netherlands, they may convert the ICT visa to another work visa of non-temporary nature, for instance, highly skilled migrant or European blue card. Same applies to employee who does not wish to leave the Netherlands after the ICT visa expires. These personnel may also apply for other residence permits, such as work permit of non-temporary nature, family reunification permit, student and researcher visa whilst they are in possession of the ICT visa. They are not required to return to their home country to reapply for the MVV (provisional visa).
The ICT visa is a valuable tool for international companies looking to transfer essential staff to the Netherlands, offering a legal and efficient route for temporary assignments. Understanding its requirements and limitations helps ensure compliance and smooth relocation. For companies and transferees considering this route, it is advisable to consult with our professional lawyer team at Amice Advocaten, to navigate the complexities of the application process and make the most of the opportunities the ICT visa offers.
The Netherlands is a hub for international research and innovation, drawing top talent from around the world. To facilitate mobility for non-EU researchers, the Dutch government offers the researcher permit based on the EU Directive 2016/801, which standardizes the conditions of entry and residence for researchers, students, trainees, volunteers, and au pairs across the EU.
EU Directive 2016/801 is designed to make the EU more attractive for talented individuals by offering a clear, streamlined pathway for non-EU nationals to engage in research and education-related activities across member states. It ensures consistent rules across the EU and offers mobility within the EU for researchers.
The Dutch implementation of this Directive allows recognized Dutch research institutions to host non-EU researchers under a special residence permit.
To qualify for a Researcher Permit in the Netherlands, you must meet the following criteria:
A hosting agreement is a formal arrangement between the researcher and a recognized research institution (such as a university, public research body, or private R&D institute) stating the details of the research project, the duration, remuneration and the support provided.
Only recognized sponsors listed by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) can offer hosting agreements under this scheme.
Depending on the duration of the project, the researcher visa is issued for a maximum period of five years. If the project is further extended, the researcher visa can be renewed. It is worthy to note that the hosting agreement must clearly define the nature and funding of the research. If the researcher visa holder wishes to travel and conduct research in another EU member state, it is possible but an advance notice and paperwork in both member states are required before the travel. Otherwise a residence gap may occur.
The Researcher Permit based on EU Directive 2016/801 is a powerful pathway for international researchers to live and work in the Netherlands, with the added benefit of EU-wide mobility. It supports academic collaboration and contributes to the Netherlands’ reputation as a centre of innovation and research.
If you’re a researcher considering a move to the Netherlands, connecting with a recognized research institution is the first step. Once you have a hosting agreement in place, the rest of the process is well-structured and designed to welcome international talent. If you have question about the researcher visa, or if the research institute is not able to submit the visa application for you for whatever reason, you can contact our lawyers at Amice Advocaten for assistance.
The Netherlands offers a unique and welcoming option for recent graduates and researchers: the search year visa (Dutch: Zoekjaar), also known as the orientation year permit. This visa is designed to give international talents more time to find a job or start a business after their studies or research in the Netherlands or abroad.
Whether you are finishing a bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands, or a master’s degree, PhD, or research program in the Netherlands or internationally, the search year visa provides a low-barrier path to continue your journey in the Netherlands.
The Orientation Year Visa allows recent graduates and researchers from non-EU countries to stay in the Netherlands for up to one year to seek employment or start a business. During the search year, the visa holder is free on the labour market, meaning he/she can take any job without restrictions or minimum salary requirements that are typically imposed on foreign workers.
You can apply for the search year visa if you have completed one of the following within the past 3 years:
If you are not certain whether your school or your study qualifies the application requirements of the orientation year visa, you can contact Amice Advocaten and we can help you review complimentarily.
The search year is not renewable. The search year visa holders must convert it to other types of residence permit such as highly skilled migrant, European blue card or family reunification, or there will be a residence gap. Although the search year visa is of temporary nature, meaning that one cannot convert this visa directly to permanent residence or naturalisation, the one year that you possess the search year can be ap attributable toward the five-year residence for the purpose of applying for Dutch permanent residence or naturalisation.
For those who has obtained search year visa before and then go for a second study either in the Netherlands or overseas that qualifies for the search year visa, as long as the date of graduation of the second study is later than the expiry of the search year visa, he/she is eligible for the second search year visa. For doctoral candidates, the new scientific research must also have been conducted after your previous orientation year. During the new research, you must have had a residence permit in the Netherlands for research purposes according to Directive (EU) 2016/801, or for work as a highly skilled migrant.
The search year visa is one of the most flexible post-study work options in Europe, making the Netherlands an ideal launchpad for your international career. Whether you plan to work, start a company, or explore the job market, this visa gives you time and freedom to make your next move.
If you are finishing your studies or research, don’t miss the chance to take advantage of this opportunity to stay in the Netherlands and build your future. If you would like to know more about the search year visa in the Netherlands, you can contact our lawyer team at Amice Advocaten.
For those who do not qualify for highly skilled migrant, European blue card or the aforementioned work visa options, the GVVA (single permit for residence and work, or Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid) could be an alternative that allows non-EU nationals to work in the Netherlands, including elite athletes, coaches, and professionals in the arts and culture sectors. This permit combines a residence permit and a work authorization in one.
The GVVA (Combined Residence and Work Permit) is a residence permit that includes a work authorization. It is primarily designed for non-EU/EEA and Swiss nationals who intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days.
Certain categories of professionals—including elite athletes, coaches, and cultural creatives — can apply for a GVVA with sector-specific conditions, making it easier to obtain residence and employment rights in the Netherlands.
Applicants must demonstrate that their work serves the Dutch cultural interest, often through national or international acclaim, awards, or involvement in significant cultural projects. Also, an employment contract with a Dutch organization (e.g., theater, orchestra, studio, gallery, museum) is required. The Dutch employer must consult with the Dutch Labor Authority (UWV), which seeks advice from relevant cultural advisory bodies. Last but not least, the applicant must meet the salary threshold imposed by the IND. Different salary levels are imposed to different industries and positions.
Applicants must have a contract with a Dutch sports club or association affiliated with Dutch Olympic Committee. A positive recommendation from the Committee is highly advised. Your skill level must also be considered top-tier, meaning you compete at a national or international level actively. For coaches, they must demonstrable expertise and recognized coaching credentials are required.
The GVVA permit duration for sportsman and art industry personnel is typically tied to the contract, up to 3 years. Permit renewal is possible subject to a new labour market test. Also, when submitting the (renewal) application, the employer must justify why the position cannot be filled by a local or EU worker domestically. This is the most difficult part of the visa application and the applicant must demonstrate that they are the top-tier player in their field which substituting personnel cannot be found within the EU. Applicants should also maintain international recognition or credentials to qualify, since the IND works with expert bodies to assess the eligibility.
The GVVA visa route for elite sportsmen and arts & culture professionals reflects the Netherlands’ commitment to fostering world-class talent in sports and the arts. Whether you are performing on stage, leading a creative project, or competing at a professional level, this visa opens the door to living and working in one of Europe’s most dynamic cultural and sporting hubs.
If you believe you meet the criteria, connect with a Dutch employer or organization in your sector, they will play a key role in your application process. If you have questions about the sportsman visa or the GVVA permit, you can also contact our professional lawyer at Amice Advocaten.