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How long is left on your zoekjaar?

The orientation year runs out faster than it feels. See exactly how many days you have left, and what the smart move is for the phase you are in.

The clock that actually matters

Twelve months sounds like a lot. It is not.

The orientation year gives you a rare thing: the right to work in the Netherlands without a sponsor, while you find the role that carries you forward. The trap is treating it as a year of runway. Hiring here is slow, and a knowledge-migrant permit has to be applied for by a recognised sponsor before your window closes, so the real deadline is weeks earlier than the date on your permit.

Work backwards. The last safe month to have a signed offer is roughly four to six weeks before the end, because the employer needs time to file. That means the serious applications have to go out months earlier, to companies you have already confirmed are recognised sponsors.

This clock keeps that honest. It shows the days you have left and the move for the phase you are in, so a quiet month does not turn into a scramble at the end.

Check if an employer is a sponsorGet matched with sponsors on MAS

Questions

What is the zoekjaar?
The orientation year (zoekjaar / search year) is a residence permit that lets recent non-EU graduates, and some other groups, stay in the Netherlands for up to 12 months to find work. During it you can work freely without a separate work permit.
What happens when it ends?
To stay, you generally need to move onto another permit before the window closes, most commonly the knowledge-migrant (kennismigrant) permit through a recognised-sponsor employer. The salary threshold for that route is lower during and just after the orientation year.
What salary do I need for the knowledge-migrant route?
The IND sets a reduced salary threshold for people who held an orientation-year permit, and standard thresholds otherwise, indexed each year. Always check the current figure on the IND website rather than an older number.

Guidance only, not immigration advice. Confirm current dates and salary thresholds on ind.nl.