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Netherlands Work Visa: All You Need to Know for Indian Applicants

TeamAckoNov 13, 2024

The Netherlands is now attracting skilled professionals all over the world due to its healthy economy, excellent quality of life, and many career growth opportunities. Indian professionals are also on the increase in their search for opportunities within this country. If working in the Netherlands is one of your future goals, a work visa to the Netherlands is the first step you need to take. This guide covers all the information to get a work visa to the Netherlands from India, including the kinds of visas, requirements, fees, and processing times.

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Contents

Types of Work Visas to the Netherlands
Application Procedure for Work Visa by Netherlands from India:
Requirements for Netherlands Work Visa for Indians
Work Visa Fees for Indians Applying For Netherlands Work Visa
Work Visa Processing Time For Applicants From India in The Netherlands
Benefits of Working in the Netherlands
Tips to Ensure Successful Visa Application
Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Work Visas to the Netherlands

Netherlands work visa for Indians is categorised differently based on the kind of employment, period, or other personal conditions. Some of the most common types of work visas in the Netherlands are:

Highly Skilled Migrant Visa - It is for highly skilled professional foreigners who are sponsored by employers based in the Netherlands. The company has to be a registered sponsor, and they have to agree on providing an offer of a job to the applicant before such an applicant can make an application. The ICT visa is mostly sought after by tech professionals, engineers, researchers, and executives.
Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Visa - For the employees working for global companies, the ICT visa takes care of the transfer of workers in the Dutch wing of a company. The ICT visa suits the managers, specialists, and trainees the most.
Entrepreneur Visa - Entrepreneurs who wish to set up in the Netherlands are also eligible for the visa. To get the visa, the applicants need to have particular qualifications. The qualifications for the visa include drawing a viable business plan.
Seasonal Work Visa - This is the temporary visa, which is specifically designed for seasonal workers in the agricultural industry. This visa allows a person to work for a short period of time, usually less than six months.
EU Blue Card - The EU Blue Card is another option for the highly skilled residents from non-EU countries. The process under this card allows the individual to stay permanently in the country. The work permit is issued to the holders, and they are allowed to work in various countries, including the Netherlands.

If an Indian citizen wants to work in the Netherlands, he or she must secure the right kind of work visa before getting hired there. The most commonly applied visa among Indian professionals is the work visa issued by the Netherlands for any one of the following sectors: IT, engineering, health services, or academia.

Application Procedure for Work Visa by Netherlands from India:

Job Offer: A confirmed job offer from an approved employer in the Netherlands should be for work visa applicants. Here, an employer should have to be registered as an approved sponsor of the IND.
Sponsorship: Once you get an employer to sponsor you for a work visa, he takes over and processes the appropriate visa application documents with the IND.
Application: Once the employer has applied, you are obligated to fulfil your part of the application process as well. You can do this either at the Dutch embassy or consulate in India.
Documents: You will be required to supply a number of documents as part of your application. These will include the following: Blank passport that has at least six months' validity remaining.
- Completed application for a visa
- Documentation related to the job offer and the employment contract.
- Sufficient financial resources for living from your stay in the Netherlands.
- Education qualifications, as well as relevant professional experience.
- Health insurance coverage.
Interview and Biometrics : You will be invited to an interview at the Dutch embassy and to provide biometric data, i.e. fingerprints and a photo.
Decision: Once your application is processed, you receive a decision. If approved, you are issued with a Netherlands work visa. This means that you will be allowed to travel to the Netherlands for purposes of employment.

Requirements for Netherlands Work Visa for Indians

Indian applicants who want to successfully apply for a work visa for the Netherlands from India, which will allow them to work in the Netherlands, have to meet some requirements. For this reason, as stated above, the most basic requirements are:

Valid Passport: You should have a valid passport with a validity period of at least six months.
Job Offer: You must have a guaranteed job offer from a reputable Dutch employer
Sufficient Funds: You must also demonstrate that you have sufficient means to be able to maintain yourself in the Netherlands.
Health Insurance: You must also provide proof of adequate health insurance to cover your stay in the Netherlands
Educational Qualifications: Depending on the type of work visa, you must also prove to have relevant educational qualifications and professional experience.
Clean criminal record: Certain work visa types demand that applicants can prove they do not have a clean criminal record.

Work Visa Fees for Indians Applying For Netherlands Work Visa

The cost of applying for a Netherlands work visa from India should also be considered. The fee payable for the visa varies with different types of visas and your circumstances. The Netherlands' work visa fees for Indians are usually in the range of €300 to €400 for most categories. You might have to pay an extra processing charge along with other services that can include collecting biometric data.

Work Visa Processing Time For Applicants From India in The Netherlands

Generally speaking, the IND takes two to six weeks to process a work visa. However, the processing times are rather shorter for some categories, such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa.

It is advisable to apply before you plan to travel so that you can accommodate any period of delay.

Benefits of Working in the Netherlands

There are various benefits to working in the Netherlands that will attract everyone to this country.

Quality of Life: The Netherlands scores very high on quality of life, good healthcare, a good education system, and proper balance with the job.
Diverse Cultural Background: The country is cosmopolitan in nature and has acceptance towards expats from other nations.
Career Opportunities: An aggressive economy and a rising demand for skilled professionals have made the Netherlands a fantastic destination to seek jobs, especially in tech, engineering, and health-based lines.
Work-Life Balance: Companies in the Netherlands are known to be great at striking the right balance between work and play; they ensure flexible working hours and generous holiday allowances.

Tips to Ensure Successful Visa Application

Apply Early: The moment you get an offer from a company, apply for the visa to avoid last-minute complications.
Ensure Accuracy: Always verify your documents and forms for accuracy to eliminate errors, hence ensuring that documents and forms are totally free of flaws and complete. An error can lead to delays in processing.
Follow-Up: Keep constantly in communication with your employer and the embassy regarding the status of your application and respond appropriately with any need for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers to some commonly asked questions are given below related to Netherlands work visa appointment.

How do I get a work visa for the Netherlands?

To obtain a work visa for the Netherlands, you generally need a job offer from a Dutch employer who will apply for a work permit on your behalf. Depending on your role and nationality, different visa categories apply, such as the highly skilled migrant visa.

Is it easy to get a job in the Netherlands?

While the job market in the Netherlands is competitive, sectors like IT, engineering, and healthcare often have a high demand for skilled workers, making it easier for professionals in these fields to find work.

How much salary is required for a work visa in the Netherlands?

For highly skilled migrants, the required salary depends on age. As of 2024, applicants under 30 must earn at least €3,672 per month, while those over 30 must earn at least €5,008 per month (gross salary).