Jobs In Netherlands for Indian Students: Discover Top Jobs & How to Apply

According to 2022 statistics, some of the top employment sectors for jobs in the Netherlands are health and social work activities, wholesale and retail, renting, and other business support sectors. If you are an international student looking to start your career, these are some of the sectors you can look at. Read on to find eligibility criteria, work permits, and other rules and regulations for international students to work in the Netherlands.

Work Permit for International Students in the Netherlands 

There are different types of work permits for those interested in working in the Netherlands, such as a Highly Skilled Migrant visa, Residence Permit for Orientation Year, Single Permit: GVVA visa, Residence Permit Researcher Visa, Residence Permit Self-Employed Person, International Trade Regulation visa, Paid employment: Residence Permit Only Visa, Residence Permit for Work Experience under EU Program, etc. 

A ‘Residence Permit for the Orientation Year’ is recommended for international students who want to work in the Netherlands right after graduation or post-graduation. If you are enrolled in a Dutch university and have a valid residence permit, you can follow the below steps to apply for a Residence permit for orientation year work visa: 

1. Go to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website and click on the “residence permit for orientation year.” 
2. You must fill in the application and add these details (V-number, Dutch citizen service number, your name, date of birth, country, place of birth, nationality, email ID, phone number, civil status, home address, and travel document. 
3. You should get tested for tuberculosis (TB) test. 
4. You must submit the required documents, such as a copy of your passport, Appendix Antecedents Certificate, and your educational qualification. 
5. You need to pay the fees, i.e., EUR 228 (INR 20,588). After the payment, your application will be processed.
6. Your application will be delivered to IND. If your application is approved, you will get an email from IND. 

The requirements for a work visa in the Netherlands will vary depending on the type of Dutch resident permit you are applying for. However, you need to meet numerous standard requirements to obtain a work visa in the Netherlands, which include:  

• You and your employer must have an employment contract (written contract) in the Netherlands.
• You should get at least the minimum wage that is set forth for employees who are above 23.
• Your employer is required to provide proof that your employment position could not have been filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA citizen.

Eligibility Criteria for Jobs in Netherlands 

When applying for the ‘Residence Permit for the Orientation Year’, the following criteria must be met-

General Criteria: 

• You must carry a passport or a valid travel document. 
• You should not have any criminal background and fill in the Appendix Antecedents Certificate. 
• You should get tested for tuberculosis (TB) test. 

Specific Criteria:  

• You should have conducted research in the Netherlands within the past 3 years under the EU Research Directive or had a residence permit for highly skilled migrants.
• You should have earned a Master's degree in the past 3 years through an Erasmus Mundus program.
• You should have completed one of the following within the past 3 years:
  • Accredited Bachelor's or Master's degree program in any recognized university in the Netherlands 
  • One-year (minimum 10 months) post-master's program in the Netherlands.
  • Dutch study program under the Cultural Policy or Development Cooperation programs.
  • Master's, Doctoral, or post-master's program at a recognized foreign university.
• Minimum score of 6.0 on IELTS (Academic or General Training) or another approved test (TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge).
• Your qualifying program (post-master's, master’s, or doctoral course) must have been in English or Dutch.