When you migrate to the Netherlands to work here, there are many things you need to take into account. The Legal Expat Desk can assist you with legal matters such as questions regarding your employment, your resident permit for short or long stay as ‘

1. Manage your
MIGRATION
Just moved to the Netherlands and not met your (administrative) requirements for living here yet? Or as a
company planning to hire foreign employees?
GMW Advocaten can assist you from Application procedure to Business visa and back! Please contact us
for further information!
When you migrate to the Netherlands to work here, there are many things you need to take into account. The Legal Expat
Desk can assist you with legal matters such as questions regarding your employment, your resident permit for short or long
stay as ‘Knowledge Migrant’ or ‘Labour Migrant.’
The Dutch labour market is attractive to migrants because of its career perspectives, salary level, the quality of the higher
education and the overall knowledge structure. Entrepreneurs and employees from all around the world come to the
Netherlands to work and live here for shorter or longer periods. The Labour Migration Law includes all rules and regulations
with regard to employment, admission and residence right of the entrepreneurs, employees and their family members.
Work Permit for non-EU nationals
If you wish to reside in the Netherlands, you need to obtain a residence permit for a limited term at the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (IND). The duration of the residence permit is equal to the length of the work permit which
is generally required as well. A work permit should be obtained from the ‘UWV WERKbedrijf’ by your employer. The
application proceedings for the residence permit and the work permit should be regulated well, as the permits are dependent
upon each other.
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2. Knowledge migration
In order to stimulate the economy, the Dutch government aims to attract highly skilled migrant workers. In 2004, a
special admission procedure was introduced to reach that goal, known as ‘Knowledge Migration Program’. This program
makes it easier for employers to employ highly skilled employees outside the European Union who’s salary meets the
requirements. Employers can reach a special settlement with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, where after their
employees can be provided with a residence permit within a few weeks. The salary requirement differs for some categories
of employees, such as employees under the age of thirty and scientists. In all cases, the employees salary should be in line
with the legal minimum wage. Employees with a Knowledge Migrant residency permit and their partners can work in the
Netherlands without a work permit.
Our role
The Labour Migration Law is continuously subject to change due to the political developments. GMW’s LED lawyers are
aware of the changing laws and the dynamics of the Immigration and Naturalization Services policies. We can advise you
on the following matters:
- application for residence permits (knowledge migrants, employees and entrepreneurs);
- application for authorization for temporary residence (MVV) and work permits;
- application for visa.
GMW’s LED lawyers are qualified to represent you in court, should that be necessary.
Please note that they do not deal with asylum related matters.
About GMW Advocaten
GMW Advocaten is one of the biggest legal firms
based in The Hague, offering a unique mix of legal
services. The 25 attorneys at GMW offer top legal
expertise in a wide variety of fields, combined with a
down-to-earth, hands-on approach. Working together
in teams, our attorneys can quickly gather information
and legal opinions for cases that require more than one
field of expertise.
Our attorneys are in court on a daily basis; changes
in the legal system and innovations in the handling of
cases are promptly implemented in new and efficient
solutions. Many of them are trained mediators and we
have gained a reputation for finding quick and efficient
ways to solve difficult situations out of court .
We have a foot in both camps – we’re local experts
with an international mindset, always focussed on
the bigger picture of the unique situation you are
facing. Aware of the ins and outs of the expat lifestyle
GMW has established a Legal Desk for Expats,
assisting expatriates in all realms of their lives in The
Netherlands.
Scheveningseweg 52
Postbus 85563
2508 CG Den Haag
t (070) 3615048
f (070) 3615400
info@gmw.nl
www.gmw.nl
@GMWadvocaten
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