Work permit

Who needs a work permit?

International students who do not have an EU/ EEA or Swiss nationality need a work permit if they want to work in the Netherlands. Student-trainees do not need a work permit if they submit the trainee-agreement. Download the Dutch Student – Trainee Agreement (Word, 175 kB)

How do you acquire a work permit?

You cannot apply for a work permit yourself. An employer must apply for the work permit, so first you have to find an employer or employment agency willing to do this for you. A work permit is always issued for a specific employer.

Conditions

  • You need a residence permit before your employer can apply for a work permit. Note that the application for a residence permit usually takes approximately 2 months. After that it takes about 6 weeks to process your work permit.
  • You must have a 'Burger Service Number', for which you need to register with the city. The path finder tool provides more pactical matters information. 
  • You are allowed to work either full-time in June, July and August OR no more than 16 hours per week throughout the academic year.
  • The work permit is valid for the same time as your residence permit. When you extend your residence permit, you also have to extend your work permit.