EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT Expats are an essential component of the Dutch workforce, and office life has its cultural quirks.

• The Dutch workforce is internationally oriented, highly educated and multilingual. • Unemployment is at 3.4 percent (June 2019). • Demand for highly skilled workers remains high, and incentives for international employees include the 30 percent ruling tax benefit and a fast-track immigration programme for the highly skilled and entrepreneurs. • The GVVA (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid) is a single permit that combines the residence and work permit into one so employers no longer need to apply for a separate work permit for labour migrants. • Under the ‘Modern Migration Policy Act, if a worker needs a Dutch entry visa (MVV) and/or residence permit, their employer in the Netherlands can apply while they are still abroad, with fast-track applications possible (visit www.ind.nl). • While it always helps to learn the language when settling in a new country – and will certainly do your job prospects no harm – you don’t necessarily need to be a fluent Dutch speaker to secure a role in the Netherlands. WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS • If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, your employer will likely need to apply for a separate work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). • The TWV permit is specific to the job and employer, and is issued for up to three years. • TWV extensions can be applied for (www.ind.nl) • You can start work once your employer has been issued a work permit and applied for a residence permit.

• You do not need to wait for the IND to approve your residence application, but you must get a ‘residence endorsement' passport sticker from the IND. • If the residence permit application is rejected, the work permit is no longer valid. • After three years of employment on a Dutch work permit, other employers can hire you without needing a separate work permit. • When you renew your residence document, your new labour market position will be mentioned as ‘Arbeid is vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist’ (free to work, no work permit required).

WWW.EXPATFAIR.NL | THE NETHERLANDS | SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONALS 2020

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