O. R. SalahudeenThis write-up living and working in the Netherlands is designed purposely for non-EU immigrant desires to stay in a European Union country.
Are you one of those people who are focusing one way, concentrating their whole efforts on the two North American countries struggling without much success in their quest for living and working abroad. It is about time you broaden your horizon and look beyond English-speaking countries, shift your gear forward and let us take you on living and working in the Netherlands, an amazing country worth consideration.
For any non-European Union citizens planning to live and working in the Netherlands there are two viable options available for him or her to make a choice:
1. STUDY TO WORK LATER OPTION
2. PROCESSING THE WORK VISA STRAIGHT AWAY.
THE PREAMBLE
No matter the option you choose, bear in mind that The Netherlands is a friendly country ready to allow immigrants to work if you can adapt to their rules and regulations, and meet their general requirements. It is definitely not a hostile environment.
ADVANTAGES OF LIVING AND WORKING IN THE NETHERLANDS
1. It is common knowledge that in living and working in The Netherlands life is good, you study and live with peace of mind, everything is done according to the laydown rules.
2. No security threats – you move around without molestation and fear, knowing fully well you’re in a secure environment.
3. The Netherlands is an immigrant-friendly country, xenophobia is at the barest minimum.
4. You can travel the whole of Europe with ease and at a reasonable cost.
5. Living in most of the Netherlands cities are pleasure and experience of a lifetime.
6. Most of their Universities are adjudged to be of high academic standard and prestigious with world-class facilities.
7. The Netherlands is a very good country with good and comparatively affordable higher institutions.
8. Living and working in the Netherlands generally life is good, you go about your daily routine with peace of mind, knowing fully well that you’re in one of the best countries in the world.
THE STUDY TO WORK LATER OPTION
If you choose the option of studying to work later in other to be fitted into society systematically, these are the steps to take to achieve your goals :
1. SEARCH FOR SCHOOL ADMISSION: Do an intensive search for a University that is fitted into your area of interest. That is choosing a course of study that will enable you to secure a good job. Avoid anyhow course, it may not take you there.
2. LETTER OF ADMISSION: Obtain a letter of admission or acceptance offers from your prefered University in the Netherland.
3. PAY THE SCHOOL FEES: Be sure you pay the required school fee to strengthen your visa request.
4. MAKE ENQUIRIES: Do or make enquiries from someone currently studying in the Netherlands.
5. APPLY FOR STUDENT VISA: Do not take the easy Schengen visa, it may lead to problems in the near future
THE TYPES OF VISA THAT CAN ENABLE YOU TO ENTER THE NETHERLANDS
1. SHORT TERM VISA: Otherwise known as Schengen visa. This is a type of visa that allows you to stay in The Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days. With the freedom of travelling all over Europe. However the holder is not permitted to engage in work activities, and it may be difficult to obtain a residence permit.
2. LONG TERM VISA
If you are non-EU or coming from an area where there is no visa abolition agreement, please note that for studies purposes, you need a long-term visa. This is the type of visa issued for a stay exceeding 90 days.
– APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT (MVV Machining to Voorlopig Verblijf)
For a Student Visa Applicant, you must apply for a temporary residence permit MVV through the Netherlands embassy in your country. This is a type of visa needed to enter the Netherlands for studies exceeding 3 months which will enable the holder to process a Residence permit on arrival in the Netherlands.
Because the processing of the MVV takes a long time, it is advisable to commence the visa application processing at least three months prior to your arrival in the Netherlands.
THE NETHERLANDS STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
1. Your International passport with at least 6 months validity.
2. Letter of admission or acceptance of an offer from a University in the Netherlands.
3. Police clearance certificate
4. A declaration that you are not a danger to public order or national security in the Netherlands.
5. Evidence of payment of required school fees.
6. Proof of ability to finance your education in the Netherlands.
7. If you have a sponsor, the person’s must provide:
– Letter of sponsor
– Bank account statement duly signed by the sponsor’s Bank
– Evidence of the sponsor’s financial capabilities for the entire period of your study in the Netherlands.
8. All the documents used in processing the admission. (Certificates and academic transcripts etc)
9. Your birth certificate.
10. Photocopy of the data page of your passport.
11. Medical health insurance.
12. Proof of tuberculosis test (if you’re coming from tuberculosis endemics area)
13. Two recently acquired passport sized photographs with white background.
14. At the point of submission:
– Do the biometric fingerprint formality.
– Pay the visa application processing and biometrics fees and attach the receipt.
15. Set of photocopies of all original documents you’re submitting.
16. The legalisation of all the required documents.
STILL ON LIVING AND WORKING IN THE NETHERLANDS
OBTAINING THE STUDENT VISA AND GETTING ASSISTANT IN OBTAINING MVV
It is possible for you to apply for an MVV through the University that you’ve selected to process your admission, provided you can pay their charges
For example, some universities changed about US$423 to apply for a student visa and residence permit and do the processing for the applicant.
If your application is successful, you will be issued MVV provisional or temporary residence permit which will allow you unhindered entry to commence your studies in the Netherlands.
Upon your arrival in the Netherlands, the basic thing to do is to register in the Municipal Personal Record Database (BRP). That’s in the area you are going to reside in.
RESIDENCE PERMIT PROCEDURES
Having obtained the temporary residence permit MVV, the next stage is to process Entry and Residence Procedure TEV.
Unless you have a sponsor in the Netherlands who can process it, you have to apply for TEV before arriving in the Netherlands at their embassy in your country.
It is also possible to process the residence permit after you arrived in the Netherlands by going directly to the office of Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to submit your completed application.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT.
1. Completed application form duly signed by you.
2. Application processing fee – payment in cash or credit card.
3. Biometric fingerprint
4. Passport-sized photograph
5. Photocopy of your temporary residence permit MVV
6. Some applicants are expected to do a tuberculosis test.
Please note without the MVV your application for TEV will be rejected.
PART-TIME JOBS WHILE STUDYING
While studying the system allows you to work ten hours a week and full-time during the holidays.
STAYING TO WORK AFTER STUDY IR GRADUATION
At the conclusion of your studies and having familiarised yourself with the country and their system, you can search for work that offers reasonable pay, depends on your course of study.
Having made up your mind to stay upon graduation as a non-EU citizen, and if you’re not from those countries where there is a visa abolition agreement with the Netherlands, you must obtain or process a work permit to allow you to engage in work activities.
WORK PERMIT
Work permits and Residence permits are closely related. Any foreigners who intend to stay in the Netherlands will receive a single permit that is equivalent to Residence and work permits.
It is called Gecombineerde Vergunning Voorlopig Verblijf en Arbeib.
(GVVA)
It is the duty of your employer or yourself to apply for the combined permit at the office of Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
The advantage of studying to work later is that if you are recently graduated you will be excepted from a work permit.
SOME USEFUL SITES IN SEARCHING FOR JOBS
1. Indeed
2. Rabota.ria.ua
3. Acces-nl
4. Career Jet
5. AngloInfo
6. Tesall
THE BOTTOM LINE
As jobs are increasingly difficult to obtain in Europe and elsewhere, it is advisable for foreigners seeking employment in Europe to consider living and working in the Netherlands as a viable alternative.
That’s all for now on living and working in the Netherlands, for more information you can contact this website.
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