The orientation year (zoekjaar): a full year of open labour-market access with NO work permit
Recent graduates (within 3 years) of a Dutch bachelor/master/PhD - OR of a top-200 world university (master/PhD) - can get a 1-year orientation-year permit. During it you can take ANY job, freelance, or start a business: your employer needs NO work permit (TWV) and does NOT have to be a recognised sponsor. That removes the single biggest reason non-EU candidates get screened out. How: apply within 3 years of graduating, fee about 254 eur. Conditions: valid 1 year, cannot be extended; top-200 foreign grads must prove English (e.g. IELTS 6.0+).
Get the rest of it, in your own language.
MAS reads your IND letter, checks whether an employer can legally sponsor you, and finds work that will actually take you. Free, no account.
More on visas and permits
- The startup permit: an easier on-ramp than the self-employed permit (no points system)
- US founders (and Japanese nationals) get a self-employment permit with only 4,500 eur and no points test
- A partner/family permit can come with FULL, unrestricted work rights
- Married to a Dutch national? Naturalise after 3 years and skip the permanent-permit prerequisite
- EU Blue Card buys EU-wide mobility; the national knowledge-migrant permit does not
- Permanent residence: ask for the EU long-term resident permit, it is a free upgrade