Immigration to the Netherlands

Why it is worth immigrating to the Netherlands and which visas are suitable for this

The Netherlands is one of the three European countries in terms of high indicators of economic stability, social security system and favorable conditions for doing business. That is why this country is increasingly seen as the most attractive option for those planning to move to Europe for permanent residence. Additional factors favoring the Netherlands are a high standard of living, a low unemployment rate and a fairly comfortable tax environment.

There are several types of immigrant visas. Here are the main ones:

• Entrepreneur visa
• Blue card
• Startup visa
• Partner visa
• Skilled migrant visa – kennismigrant
• student visa

Let's consider the above options in more detail.

Entrepreneur visa  - This is one of the types of work visa, the basis for obtaining which is the desire to open your own business in the Netherlands. To obtain it, you will need to submit a detailed business plan and convince the migration service of the viability of your business idea, its profitability and the value of the future business for the country’s economy. The peculiarity of this visa is that the decision on its issuance is made by two government agencies: first the RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland - a service that works with entrepreneurs), and then the IND - the Dutch Migration Service, which will make the final decision. You cannot do this without the help of a migration lawyer. Your education, successful entrepreneurial experience, as well as your network of potential partners and consumers in the Netherlands will play an important role.

Blue card or blue card - not the most common option for migration to the Netherlands, as it has high requirements for the annual income of the person who requests it. But this visa is especially attractive because after receiving it you have the opportunity to work in any country of the European Union, on the territory of all its other countries. The transfer from one state to another is very simple, and the years of residence in all countries are read cumulatively. The holder of such a visa can apply for Dutch citizenship under an abbreviated procedure. However, it should be noted that this visa is not suitable for people with young children, since in the EU countries there is a strict system of compulsory education, and the link to the place of study is very serious.

Startup visa - This is one of the types of business migration, which has its own characteristics. If you want to develop your startup in the Netherlands, you need a curator, that is, a company that can assess how innovative and viable your idea is. This moment is decisive for this type of visa and you need to be able to justify it well. It is also necessary to remember that in a year your project will be tested for the level of its performance and profitability. Based on the results of such a check, the decision on the visa may be changed.

Partner visa implies with itself the so-called "bride / groom visa" who come to the country to a citizen of the Netherlands or a person with a local residence permit. The process of obtaining this type of visa depends on the citizenship of the immigrant: if you are a citizen of any country of the European Union, then it is quite simple. A more difficult path for people who have only a residence permit in the EU countries, and the most bureaucratic and difficult process is faced by citizens of "third countries". In order to obtain a partner visa, you must be in your home country at the time of the request, as well as pass the Dutch language proficiency test. The only exception is the wives of qualified migrants, they do not need to know the language. It is important to know that in order to obtain this visa it is not necessary to get married, you can register a partnership. However, before that, you must provide an official certificate stating that you are not currently married.

Skilled Migrant Visa (kennismigrant) has certain requirements for the list of specialists invited to the country. Their high qualifications also correspond to the wage requirements: such a specialist is quite expensive for the company, in addition, his salary depends not only on the position held, but also on the age of the migrant. There is a list of referent companies that have the right to bring kennismigrant. More detailed information on this type of visa can be obtained here.

Student visa issued at the invitation of the university. This visa has a prolonged effect and is valid for an additional year after graduation (zoekjaar). This time is given to find a job in the country. Not only students from Dutch universities have the right to look for work in the Netherlands, but also students from universities in other countries; a complete list of accredited educational institutions is available on the IND website. That is, after graduating from one of these universities, the graduate has the opportunity to obtain a student visa for a year and try to find a job in the Netherlands.

In addition to the above visa options, there are also visas for nannies (au pair), religious workers, as well as humanitarian visas. They have their own characteristics, and often have strict time limits without the possibility of renewal.

If you are planning to move to the Netherlands according to one of the above options, contact the specialists for help, who will not only advise you on all the possibilities, help you determine the most suitable option for you, but will also help you realistically assess your chances. This will save you not only from rash actions, but also from pointless spending. You can sign up for a consultation at our email address info@nalog.nl, phone +31 (0) 85 54 00 200, (06) 50 128 355, or write to our specialists in the chat.