If you are a non EU/EER citizen and your stay in The Netherlands will be longer than 90 days, you probably need a residence permit. To make sure if this applies to you, you can do the visa wizard check.
Introduction to Dutch residence permits
The residence permit is a plastic card the size of a credit card. This card serves as proof of your identity, nationality and lawful residence in the Netherlands.
Your residence permit allows you to enter and exit the Netherlands and travel through the Schengen area. Your stay in other Schengen countries is limited to a maximum period of 90 days within a period of 180 days. If you intend to stay abroad longer, you must comply with the immigration regulations of that country. Use the Short-stay Visa Calculator to calculate your remaining travel days under a Schengen short-stay visa.
The full rights you receive depend on the residence permit’s purpose of stay.
Types of residence permits for highly skilled people
Each residence permit is given for a specific ‘purpose of stay’, which dictates the rights attached to the residence permit.
Scientific staff
Other academic highly skilled staff:
| Scientific researcher under EC directive 2016/801 | Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme | European Blue Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can apply: | Host organisation only | Employer only | Both you and your employer can apply If your employer applies, the procedure is quicker and they will take care of all the follow up administration |
| employment contract & financing | Guest agreement compulsory in which is stated when, where and on what you will do you research. Employment contract allowed but not required. | Employment contract compulsory (exception for guest lecturer). Minimum salary requirement may apply. | Employment contract compulsory. Minimum requirement of a little over 60.000 gross per annum applies. |
| Work permit | Not required. The researcher is free on the Dutch labour market, as long as the conditions of this residence permit are complied by. | Not required for the contracted work nor for self-employment. | Not required for the contracted work. |
| Intended duration of application procedure | Two weeks | Two weeks | Two weeks when host organisation applies, |
| Validity of residence permit | Same period as contract with a maximum of 5 years. After which it can be extended. | Same period as contract with a maximum of 5 years. After which it can be extended. | Same period as contract with a maximum of 5 years. After which it can be extended. |
| Family members | Fast immigration procedures available at any time. They are free to work in the Netherlands (no work permit required) | Fast immigration procedures available at any time. They are free to work in the Netherlands (no work permit required) | Fast immigration procedures available at any time. They are free to work in the Netherlands (no work permit required) |
| Other requirements | 1. You need to be qualified to work as a researcher (including PhD -level). 2. Research must cover minimally 50% of your work. 3. Your host institution must be registered with the IND for this procedure. | Academic requirements: a diploma which shows at least 3 years higher education at a recognized university, diploma has to be evaluated through IDW. | |
| Extra | Possibility to obtain an EC residence permit for long-term residents. Flexible rules with regard to mobility within the EU apply. (Mind: your host needs to notify your mobility to the government 1 month prior to your leave) No MVV is needed when moving from another Schengen country. | No MVV is needed when moving from another Schengen country. | Possibility to obtain an EC residence permit for long-term residents. No MVV is needed when moving from another Schengen country. |
Orientation Year Highly educated people
Going abroad during your stay
If you are going abroad for research purposes different rules apply to you depending on your residence permit, the lenght of your stay and the country you are going to.
Residence permit 'scientific staff under EU directive 2016/801'
for a stay up to 90 days
With a valid Dutch residence permit, you have free access to other Schengencountries for maximally 90 days within a period of 180 days. This means you can travel to other Schengencountries often, as long as you only spend 90 days in other Schengencountries in 180 days.
The conditions of your stay abroad depend on the country you visit. Your stay abroad has no impact on your status in the Netherlands.
Check if your residence permit is still valid by the date of your return, so you have access back into the Netherlands. If your residence permit expires during your stay abroad, you can apply for a return visa before you leave the Netherlands.
for a stay from 91 up to 180 days
Your residence permit in NL will stay valid. You will need to comply to the procedure of the receiving country. In each EU country where directive 2016/801 is implemented the procedure will be easy.
You have to notify your HR in time of your travelplans, so they can notify the government at least 1 month before your leave. This notification is part of an obligatory EU registration of researchers mobility.
Implementation period: This new EU regime has been implemented by Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Hungary.
It has nog yet been implemented by the other EU countries. As long as it has not been implemented yet, the rules apply as are laid down in the next tab (all other countries).
You will have to comply to the immigration procedures in your receiving country. During your stay abroad, your Dutch residence permit will remain valid. Before you leave, make sure your host knows about your stay abroad. This will secure your residence permit validity.
for a stay from 181 days
If you are going to this other country as part of the research that you are doing in the Netherlands, your Dutch residence permit will stay valid during this time abroad.
You have to notify your HR in time of your travelplans, so they can notify the government at least 1 month before your leave. This notification is part of an obligatory EU registration of researchers mobility.
Implementation period: This new EU regime has been implemented by Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Hungary.
It has nog yet been implemented by the other EU countries. As long as it has not been implemented yet, the rules apply as are laid down in the next tab (all other countries).
for stays up to 8 months - your residence permit in the Netherlands will remain valid. Please notify your HR of your stay abroad, so they can make sure the system will recognize you as holder of a valid residence permit in the Netherlands.
for stays longer than 8 months, you can no longer use your Dutch residence permit. Contact your HR to find out what your next steps will be. Most likely they will apply for a new residence permit for you once you return from your time abroad.
Application procedure done by your host institution
The Dutch residence permit system for highly skilled migrants and scientific Researchers is based on a contract between the immigration services (IND) and the host institutions, which recognizes the host institution/employer as a recognized sponsor. Only with a recognized sponsor label can a host institution, (like a company or research institution) receive third country nationals for the purpose of highly skilled work such as scientific research. This contract allows for quick and smooth procedures and exemption for a work permit application.
Three consequences
- Firstly you cannot apply for your residence permit yourself, this can only be done by a host who has a contract with the IND.
- Secondly being a recognised sponsor gives vcertain responsibilities to your host institution.They will have to act as a responsible partner to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service, and they will need to gather certain personal information and documentation on their behalf. You will need to inform your host institution of any changes in your residence status and they are your first point of call for questions.
- The procedures are extremely slim and quick.
Duration of a residence permit
The duration of a residence permit for scientific work equals your contract, with a maximum of 5 years. If your stay will exceed this duration. Your host organisation will apply for an extension. (make sure they apply for this extension in time, so you will not end up with a gap in your years of residence.) When you change employers or tasks, a change of residence permit might be necessary. If this is the case, this will also be dealt with by your (future) employer/host organisation. Of course if you will no longer work for an employer, you will have to take care of this yourself.
More information
For more information please contact your employer/host organisation, or the website of the Dutch Immingration and Naturalisation Services IND.