Netherlands Work Visa for Indians: How to Apply, Cost and Processing Time

The cross-border movement for exploring new work opportunities has become a common trend worldwide. For example, the Netherlands, in northwestern Europe, has gained popularity for offering employment and career opportunities to people from various parts of the globe. However, to travel there, an individual must possess a work visa.

Are you curious to know the steps to get a work visa for the Netherlands from India? Then, keep reading this article to get a complete guide.

A work visa is a form of a residence permit issued to foreigners. They can enter and stay in the Netherlands for employment purposes for a fixed period. Dutch or EEA nationals do not require such a visa to enter or live here. However, people from other nationalities, particularly Indians, must procure a work visa for the Netherlands to start working here.

First, you need to know the types of work visas to see if you qualify for any of these. These are as follows.

• Regular Employment
• Seasonal Labour
• Intra Corporate Transfer
• Highly-skilled Migrants
• European Blue Card
• Orientation Year Permits
• Permit for Researchers
• Permits for Entrepreneurs and Self-employed

If you plan to get a work visa in the Netherlands, you must check the eligibility criteria. Then, you can apply for a visa if you meet these conditions.

Regular Employment

This is a usual visa for individuals seeking residence in the Netherlands for doing regular paid work here.

• Applicants must have a contract of employment with an employer from the Netherlands.
• They must earn the minimum salary for employees over 23 years of age.
• Employers must prove that a Dutch individual or any other EU/EEA national cannot fill the specific position.

Seasonal Labour

This visa is for migrants who wish to work in the Netherlands for a specific season. It is commonly seen in the agricultural sector. It can be valid for about 24 weeks.

• Applicants must present an employment contract in the Netherlands.
• They must obtain a Single Permit (a combination of a work permit and residence permit).
• Finally, they need to earn the minimum percentage or wage for getting this visa.

Intra Corporate Transfer

You need this visa if you work outside the EU and get transferred to a branch in the Netherlands.

• Applicants must not be nationals of an EU/EEA state or Switzerland. In addition, they need to be residents of non-EU countries.
• The position must be a specialist or a trainee in the management department.
• They must have been working in their companies for a minimum of three months before getting a transfer and applying for this visa.
• Their salary range must fulfil the criteria of minimum wage.
• They need to stay in the Netherlands for most of the visa period and show proof of economic activities between the employers and the Netherlands branch.

Highly-skilled Migrants

Such migrants are called “knowledge workers" in the Netherlands, who enter the country to contribute to the knowledge-based economy of this nation.

• Applicants under 30 must earn at least € 3,299, while those over 30 need to earn at least € 4,500.
• They must present a contract with a research institution or an employer in the Netherlands.
• They need a sponsor recognised by the IND.

European Blue Card

With such a work permit, non-EU citizens can live and work freely in any part of Europe except Ireland, Denmark, and the UK.

• Applicants need to show employment contracts valid for a minimum of 12 months.
• They need a higher education diploma for a minimum of three years.
• Their higher education certificate needs to be evaluated and approved by Nuffic.
• They need to prove their standard of work quality by performing.
• Applicants must earn at least € 5,272.

Orientation Year Permits

• Finished studying accredited Netherlands MA or BA program.
• Had a Dutch visa for conducting scientific research in the Netherlands.
• Completed a minimum of one year of post-graduation courses in the Netherlands.
• Obtained an MA degree in an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course.
• Finished studying a higher education program which has been designated by the Ministerial Decree.
• Finished studying in the Netherlands within the Cultural Policy Act.
• Studied a course related to Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation policy.
• Finished doing postdoctoral studies or MA, or acquired a PhD at a designated educational institution overseas.

Permit for Researchers

If you want to work as researcher under Directive (EU) 2016/801, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Adequate education background to qualify for this job.
• The research institution where you want to conduct research should be recognised by the IND.
• The research Institute should approve your research.
• You must accept employment or host an agreement with the research institution.
• Receive adequate funds from grant sponsor or employer.

Permits for Entrepreneurs and Self-employed

You can apply for a residence permit if you want to work as a freelancer or  begin your business in the Netherlands only after the following requirements:

• Your business must bring benefits to the Netherlands.
• If you want to start a business in the healthcare sector of the Netherlands, you need to register yourself with the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (BIG).

Now that you know the eligibility, you must be wondering how to get a work visa for the Netherlands from India. The steps to do so are listed below.

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. Scroll down and click on the icon "Working in the Netherlands". 

Step 2: Check the different types of work residence permits available for foreigners. Click on the type that applies to you. 

Step 3: This will open a new page describing this visa type. Scroll down and click on "Online application". 

Step 4: Start filling out the online application with accurate details. Upload the required documents. 

Step 5: Pay the application fees and submit your application.

The requirements for a Netherlands work visa for Indian citizens change based on the visa type. Individuals need to produce the following documents and upload these while applying for the visa.

• Valid passport.
• Work contract.
• Proof of earning minimum wage.
• Work experience certificate.
• Education and degrees as per requirement.

If your application is complete, the processing time of a Netherlands work visa in India does not exceed more than two weeks. However, it can take up to seven weeks if the immigration experts need additional documents or permits.

A work permit in the Netherlands is usually valid for three months (or 90 days). However, it can be extended up to a maximum of a year. However, if employers wish to keep foreign employees for more than three months, they must apply for a combined residence and work permit or a provisional residence permit. However, there is no permit requirements for the following:

• Highly skilled migrants.
• Self-employed people.
• Trainees
• Employees transferred from international companies.

Some common reasons behind the denial of a Dutch visa are as follows. You must avoid these mistakes to get approval.

• Criminal records: Candidates with criminal records might not be able to get a work visa in the Netherlands. The immigration experts might reject their applications if they find such records while investigating their cases. Thus, it is best to follow and abide by the rules to avoid any criminal records.
• Falsified documents: If you present false and fraudulent documents with your application, it is likely to face a denial from the higher authorities. Therefore, you must cross-check all your documents and upload only the credible ones to avoid facing a rejection.
• Passport validity: You need to present a valid passport while applying for a work visa in the Netherlands. An expired visa can cause a denial of a visa application. Hence, make sure to renew your visa at regular intervals.
• Insufficient wage and funds: It is mandatory to prove that you are earning the minimum wage set by the European government. If you fail to prove sufficient funds and wages through bank statements, your application can be rejected. Thus, it would help if you had an idea about the minimum wage amount before applying for a visa.

Thus, as you can see, getting a work visa of the Netherlands from India is mandatory if you are planning to move there with an employment offer. First, however, you need to check all the eligibility conditions and assess the types of visas applicable to you. Furthermore, you need to complete the application process successfully with the required documents and pay the application fees for completing the process.