Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
  • About
    • Locations & Coverage
    • Press Releases
    • Recognition
    • Pro Bono
  • People
  • Services
    • Column 1
      • Auditing
      • Business Visas
      • Citizenship
      • Comparative Country Analysis
      • Compliance
      • Consular Services
      • Consulting
      • Covid-19 Task Force
    • Column 2
      • Data Analytics
      • Document Acquisition and Authentication
      • Employment Visas
      • Forecasting
      • Government Strategies
      • Knowledge Management
      • Management Reporting
      • Outsourcing
    • Column 3
      • Passport Services
      • Permanent Residence
      • Program and Policy Services
      • Sports and Entertainment
      • Strategic Planning
      • Technology Solutions
      • Training
  • News
  • Resources
    • Global Trends
    • Events
    • Advisor
    • Country Overviews
    • BAL Perspectives
    • DACA Resource Center
  • Careers
  • Share
  • Client Login
Client Login
  • Home
  •  /  Resources
  •  /  Country Overviews
  •  /  Netherlands
  • Country Overviews

Netherlands

At a Glance

Capital Amsterdam
Language Dutch
Population 17,135,000
GDP Total $914.1 billion
GDP Per Capita $53,583.10
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to the Netherlands, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to the Netherlands, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business meetings or the conclusion of agreements with companies and institutions for a maximum of 13 weeks in a 52-week period
  • » Tour a company facility
  • » Receive training or instruction on the use of goods manufactured in the Netherlands, or services to be performed in the Netherlands, for a maximum of 12 consecutive weeks in a 36-week period

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for the Netherlands?

Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 26 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to the Netherlands and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.

 

Working in the Netherlands

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Dutch law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in the Netherlands, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » Facilitating training
  • » Performing audits
  • » Consulting
  • » Market planning

 
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required to determine whether an exemption is applicable.

 

If I am traveling to the Netherlands for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in the Netherlands. The most common types of work authorization for the Netherlands are:

  • » Short-Term Highly Skilled Migrant Work Permit (work authorization for professionals residing up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
  • » Highly Skilled Migrant Permit (long-term work and residence authorization for highly-skilled professionals)
  • » EU Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit (work and residence authorization for the transfer of senior management, specialists, and trainees of a company located outside the EU to a local branch belonging to the same company or group of companies)
  • » National Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit (work and residence authorization for the transfer of senior management, specialists, and trainees of a company located within the EU/EEA/Switzerland to a local branch belonging to the same company or group of companies)
  • » EU Blue Card (work authorization for highly-skilled direct hires)
  • » Work and Residence Permit (long-term work and residence authorization for direct hires)
  • » Residence Permit for Essential Start-up Personnel (highly-skilled work and residence authorization for employees of innovative, scalable, start-up companies)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization to work in the Netherlands. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in the Netherlands.

Additional work authorization exemptions are available in the Netherlands under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.

 

What else should I know?

 

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA's impact in the Netherlands.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

4 May 22

Immigration appointment delays to be expected

Netherlands

7 Apr 22

Ukrainian nationals exempted from work permit requirements

Netherlands

22 Mar 22

COVID-19: Entry requirements to be lifted

COVID-19 Netherlands

11 Mar 22

Visa guidance provided for Ukrainian nationals

Netherlands

23 Feb 22

COVID-19: Quarantine to be ended, entry requirements to...

COVID-19 Netherlands

27 Jan 22

COVID-19: Quarantine requirements to be eased

COVID-19 Netherlands

5 Jan 22

COVID-19: US added to ‘very high-risk list,’ entry...

COVID-19 Netherlands

30 Dec 21

Wage minimums for permit holders set to increase

Netherlands

22 Dec 21

COVID-19: New entry rules for travel from outside...

COVID-19 Netherlands

17 Sep 21

Brexit application deadline upcoming

Netherlands

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • Next

At a Glance

Capital Amsterdam
Language Dutch
Population 17,135,000
GDP Total $914.1 billion
GDP Per Capita $53,583.10

Related News

  • Immigration appointment delays to be expected

    NETHERLANDS   4 May 22

  • Ukrainian nationals exempted from work permit requirements

    NETHERLANDS   7 Apr 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements to be lifted

    NETHERLANDS   22 Mar 22

  • Visa guidance provided for Ukrainian nationals

    NETHERLANDS   11 Mar 22

  • COVID-19: Quarantine to be ended, entry requirements to...

    NETHERLANDS   23 Feb 22

  • COVID-19: Quarantine requirements to be eased

    NETHERLANDS   27 Jan 22

  • COVID-19: US added to ‘very high-risk list,’ entry...

    NETHERLANDS   5 Jan 22

  • Wage minimums for permit holders set to increase

    NETHERLANDS   30 Dec 21

  • COVID-19: New entry rules for travel from outside...

    NETHERLANDS   22 Dec 21

  • Brexit application deadline upcoming

    NETHERLANDS   17 Sep 21

  • COVID-19: Quarantine requirement removed for qualifying travelers

    NETHERLANDS   17 Sep 21

  • New income requirements released for family reunification

    NETHERLANDS   9 Jul 21

  • Residence permit for essential start-up personnel launched

    NETHERLANDS   10 Jun 21

  • Residence application deadline extended for UK nationals

    NETHERLANDS   4 Jun 21

  • Details provided for employers with highly skilled migrants...

    NETHERLANDS   31 Mar 21

  • COVID-19: Travel restrictions, entry requirements updated

    NETHERLANDS   29 Jan 21

  • COVID-19: Negative coronavirus test to be required for...

    NETHERLANDS   11 Dec 20

  • Minimum salaries to increase for highly skilled migrants

    NETHERLANDS   1 Dec 20

  • Brexit: U.K. frontier workers can now apply for...

    NETHERLANDS   16 Oct 20

  • COVID-19: Some business travelers are now exempt from...

    NETHERLANDS   22 Sep 20

  • COVID-19: Travel restrictions updated

    NETHERLANDS   21 Jul 20

  • Reminder: ‘Pick-and-mix’ schemes can be a red flag...

    NETHERLANDS   21 Jul 20

  • Normal salary minimums can be adjusted for partners...

    NETHERLANDS   13 Jul 20

  • Embassies close consular departments

    NETHERLANDS   20 Mar 20

  • New biometrics requirements for residence permit cards

    NETHERLANDS   4 Feb 20

  • IND reissuing residence permits that lacked key authenticating...

    NETHERLANDS   14 Jan 20

  • Minimum salaries to increase for highly skilled migrants

    NETHERLANDS   4 Dec 19

  • Authorities tighten the rules for non-married partners applying...

    NETHERLANDS   21 Oct 19

  • Dutch passports to include BSN and QR code

    NETHERLANDS   10 Oct 19

  • My IND piloted ahead of expected launch this...

    NETHERLANDS   3 Oct 19

  • Dutch passports to include QR code

    NETHERLANDS   23 Aug 19

  • Immigration authorities expect delays to extend into August

    NETHERLANDS   31 Jul 19

  • Government aims to launch startup immigration pilot next...

    NETHERLANDS   9 Jul 19

  • Applicants with job in Netherlands exempted from portion...

    NETHERLANDS   16 May 19

  • No-deal Brexit contingency plans set

    NETHERLANDS   12 Apr 19

  • No-deal Brexit plan announced for UK citizens’ rights

    NETHERLANDS   9 Jan 19

  • New rules set for foreign nationals’ criminal background...

    NETHERLANDS   3 Jan 19

  • Inspectorate SZW’s 4-year plan: key focus on illegal...

    NETHERLANDS   26 Dec 18

  • Salary thresholds set for high-skilled foreign workers

    NETHERLANDS   4 Dec 18

  • Immigration authorities conducting weekly inspections of recognized sponsors

    NETHERLANDS   13 Nov 18

  • Work permit requirements for Croatians to end July...

    NETHERLANDS   29 Jun 18

  • Government to lower immigration fees

    NETHERLANDS   2 Apr 18

  • Inspections increased amid concern over recognized sponsor obligations

    NETHERLANDS   12 Mar 18

  • Posted worker notification requirement delayed

    NETHERLANDS   8 Mar 18

  • 2018 salary thresholds announced

    NETHERLANDS   5 Dec 17

  • Citizenship bill defeated in Senate

    NETHERLANDS   31 Oct 17

  • New government filing fees to take effect Jan....

    NETHERLANDS   31 Oct 17

  • Netherlands waives work permit requirements for certain cross-border...

    NETHERLANDS   1 Aug 17

  • VFS Global to assume responsibility for Dutch visa...

    NETHERLANDS, UNITED STATES   6 Apr 17

  • 2017 salary thresholds set for highly skilled migrants,...

    NETHERLANDS   20 Dec 16

  • Dutch law on EU Intra-Company Transfer permits takes...

    NETHERLANDS   17 Nov 16

  • New government filing fees to take effect Jan....

    NETHERLANDS   6 Oct 16

  • Changes announced on government filing fees, work permits...

    NETHERLANDS   15 Jul 16

  • Citizenship law nears passage

    NETHERLANDS   7 Jul 16

  • Dutch government: Japanese must apply for work permits

    JAPAN, NETHERLANDS   1 Jul 16

  • Changes to recognized sponsorship now in effect

    NETHERLANDS   22 Apr 16

  • Labor audit results published online

    NETHERLANDS   8 Mar 16

  • Program expanded for highly educated persons

    NETHERLANDS   8 Mar 16

  • 2016 salary thresholds set for highly skilled migrants

    NETHERLANDS   25 Nov 15

  • Entry requirements simplified for more foreign employees

    NETHERLANDS   13 Oct 15

  • Netherlands expands time frame for business meeting waiver

    NETHERLANDS   30 Jul 15

  • More foreign nationals exempt from tuberculosis tests

    NETHERLANDS   30 Jan 15

  • Japanese nationals exempt from work permits, court says

    NETHERLANDS   26 Jan 15

  • Salary requirements to increase for highly-skilled migrants

    NETHERLANDS   18 Dec 14

  • Court decision extends freedom to provide services in...

    NETHERLANDS   7 Nov 14

  • Saudi Arabia halts visa issuance to Dutch nationals...

    NETHERLANDS, SAUDI ARABIA   2 Jun 14

  • EU nationals no longer need to register

    NETHERLANDS   6 Jan 14

  • Annual Minimum Salary Increases for Highly-Skilled Workers

    NETHERLANDS   23 Dec 13

  • Foreign Workers Must Wait Longer to Get Access...

    NETHERLANDS   17 Dec 13

  • New Temporary Residency/Work Route for Investors

    NETHERLANDS   3 Oct 13

  • For Some Foreign Buyers, Work Permits Unnecessary for...

    NETHERLANDS   19 Sep 13

{{ text }}
  • Contact Us
  • BAL Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Legal Notice
  • Disclaimer

©2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden. All Rights Reserved. 2400 N. Glenville Dr., Bldg A, Richardson, TX 75082. Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner.