Orientation year — Dutch higher education, doctorate or research

If you want to look for work in the Netherlands after your graduation, doctorate or research, then you need a residence permit.

You have conducted scientific research in the Netherlands in the 3 years before the date of application.

You obtained a master’s degree in the 3 years before the date of application in the context of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme.

You completed one of the following study programmes in the 3 years before the date of application: An accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree programme at a Dutch higher education institution. A post-master’s study programme in the Netherlands for at least one academic year (at least 10 months). A study programme in the Netherlands in the context of the Cultural Policy (Special-Purpose Funding) Act. A study programme in the Netherlands in the context of the development cooperation policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You completed one of the following study programmes in the 3 years before the date of application:

You had a residence permit in the Netherlands for research purposes according to Directive (EU) 2016/801 (in Dutch: onderzoek in de zin van richtlijn (EU) 2016/801). Or you had a residence permit highly skilled migrant based on scientific research. Your contract or appointment letter states a job name and job code from the University Job Classification System (UFO). You only are seen as a scientific researcher when the job code starts with 01.

You have not previously held a residence permit for an orientation year for the same research for which you are now applying. Nor have you held such a permit following the completion of the same study programme or doctoral programme.

You may work freely in the Netherlands or do an internship. Your employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). You may also work freely as an independent entrepreneur, self-employed person or freelancer.

The residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons is valid for 1 year.

You cannot extend the residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons.

Did you find a job during your orientation year and you want to stay in the Netherlands? You can apply for a residence permit that allows you to work. For example, a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant, start-up or self-employed person.

The IND can give a residence permit for an orientation year after each performed research project. Or after each completed study programme at a Dutch higher education institution, or a doctoral programme. However, the new study programme or doctoral programme must have been completed after your previous orientation year. The new scientific research must also have been conducted after your previous orientation year.