Highly educated persons can apply for a residence permit for orientation year. As a holder of this residence permit, you are allowed to work in the Netherlands without any restrictions for 1 year. Find out who can apply for this residence permit and how to apply.
The Dutch government considers it important that highly educated persons have time to launch their careers or start a business in the Netherlands. Dutch employers also benefit because recently graduated talent stays in the Netherlands or is attracted to move here. This is why the residence permit for orientation year was created.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘orientation year for highly educated persons’ or ‘orientation year’, this is a 1-year residence permit for recently graduated students, PhD graduates, and researchers. The permit offers the holder time to search for a job as a highly skilled employee or to develop a business idea. During the year, employers do not need to apply for a separate work permit ( tewerkstellingsvergunning , TWV) for the employee.
You can apply for the ‘orientation year’ within 3 years of completing your studies, obtaining your PhD, or finishing your research. The permit is often used by students and researchers who were based in the Netherlands for their study or research programme. Students from other international educational institutions can also apply if they meet the conditions mentioned below.
To make use of the residence permit for orientation year, you must meet the following conditions: