GVVA — professional top athlete or coach

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which athletes, coaches, technicians, officials or other sports professionals does the pathway cover?

Professional football players from outside the EU and other top athletes from around the world coming to compete in the Netherlands; the scheme also applies to coaches and trainers from non-EU countries working at a Dutch club.

See recorded sources

https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
Professional football players from outside the EU, as well as other top athletes from around the world, come to the Netherlands to compete.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
The scheme also applies to coaches and trainers who come from a non-EU country to work at a club in the Netherlands.

What club, federation, governing body or recognised organisation relationship is required?

The club (football, or another club such as a hockey or baseball club) is the employer and sponsor and submits the application to the IND, which forwards it to UWV; playing for the club must be the main purpose of stay, and the IND can only issue the permit after a positive UWV recommendation.

See recorded sources

https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
As an employer, the football club or any other club like hockey or baseball club, is the so-called sponsor and has to submit an application for the required permit to the IND. The IND assesses whether the application is complete and forwards it to UWV.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
Playing for the club must be the main purpose of stay in the Netherlands.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
The IND can only issue the residence permit if UWV issues a positive recommendation.

What sporting level, achievement, professional status, recognition or other sports-specific condition distinguishes the pathway?

Top athletes must be paid a competitive salary and play for their club in the highest Dutch division. Professional football players must also play in one of the two highest leagues (first division and eredivisie), have experience in a league at an equal or higher level or have been selected for their national team, meet a salary criterion of at least EUR 300,000 if under 21 and EUR 600,000 if older than 21, and be at least 18 years old.

See recorded sources

https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
The top athlete must be paid a competitive salary and must play for their club in the highest division in the Netherlands.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
Additional requirements apply to professional male and female football players. They must: play in one of the two highest leagues (first division and eredivisie) in the Netherlands; have experience in a league at an equal or higher level, or at some point have been selected for their national team; meet the salary criterion: a minimum of €300,000 if under 21 years of age, and €600,000 if older than 21 years of age; be at least 18 years old.

What sporting/work activity is permitted, what club or activity restrictions exist, and what is the family position?

The permit is linked to a single club, and playing for the club must be the main purpose of stay. The official source does not state other activity restrictions or the family position.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The source does not state the family position or other activity restrictions.

https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
and is linked to a single club.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
As an employer, the football club or any other club like hockey or baseball club, is the so-called sponsor and has to submit an application for the required permit to the IND. The IND assesses whether the application is complete and forwards it to UWV.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
Playing for the club must be the main purpose of stay in the Netherlands.
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
The IND can only issue the residence permit if UWV issues a positive recommendation.

How long does the status last, how does renewal or change of club work where stated, and what longer-term residence possibilities exist?

The GVVA is valid for a maximum of three years; on a transfer or loan, the new club must reapply. The official source does not state longer-term residence possibilities.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The source does not state longer-term residence possibilities.

https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
The GVVA is valid for a maximum of three years
https://ind.nl/en/about-us/background-articles/ind-and-uwv-are-helping-to-get-top-athletes-onto-the-field-of-play
In the event of a transfer or loan, the new club must reapply.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

GVVA — professional top athlete or coach

Which athletes, coaches, technicians, officials or other sports professionals does the pathway cover?

What club, federation, governing body or recognised organisation relationship is required?

What sporting level, achievement, professional status, recognition or other sports-specific condition distinguishes the pathway?

What sporting/work activity is permitted, what club or activity restrictions exist, and what is the family position?

How long does the status last, how does renewal or change of club work where stated, and what longer-term residence possibilities exist?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.