TWV Work Permit Netherlands – Short-term Dutch Work Visa for Non-EU Workers

The Netherlands is increasingly popular with foreign migrants from outside of the EU, both for long term and short-term work. With its ease of access to the European Union, fast and modern transport system, laid back lifestyle, excellent job opportunities, wonderfully rich history and culture, friendly and warm people, and the fact that so many people speak English, the Netherlands is the natural choice for many. On this page, we will explain the purpose of the short-stay work permit for the Netherlands, who is eligible, and how to apply.

What Is the Netherlands Short-Stay Work Permit?

The short-stay work permit is for foreign nationals (i.e., from outside the EU/EEA) who wish to work for an employer in the Netherlands for a short-term assignment of fewer than 90 days. Work permits in the Netherlands (referred to as a TWV) are requested by the Dutch employer. They need to apply to the UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency), who will want to be satisfied that there is no Dutch, EEA/EU, or Swiss citizen with the necessary qualifications for the job. This is just one of several different types of residence permit; others include seasonal labour or work experience work permits, intra company transfer permits, start-up personnel permits, European blue card permits, guest lecturer permits, and permits for trainee doctors and researchers.

Normally for long-term (more than 90 days) work in the Netherlands, it is possible for the worker to gain a single permit which combines a residence permit and entry visa. For a short stay, workers need a separate work permit and visa. It will be down to your employer to apply for your short-stay work permit on your behalf. If granted, you will be able to use this with a short-stay/Schengen visa.

Am I Eligible for The Netherlands Short-Stay Work Permit?

There are a number of eligibility rules which must be met in order to acquire a short-term work permit for the Netherlands, as follows:

Your employer in the Netherlands will first need to satisfy the UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency) that there is no Dutch, EEA, EU, or Swiss national available who can do the job you are being offered – this is referred to as a labour market test. There is no need to carry out a labour market test if the employee is an intern, a foreign student who will work a maximum of 16 hours per week, an artist who earns above a certain income, employees with an important position in an international company, or an Asian chef.
The job you are offered must only be for a short-term assignment of up to 90 days in duration.
Your employer must be registered on the Commercial Register of the Chamber of Commerce.
You must be paid a sufficient income (these can be found online on the IND website). On this, the Department of Labour states, “As with Dutch employees, you must comply with the law with regard to working conditions for foreign employees. You must therefore pay the wages according to the collective labour agreement or what is in line with the market (which is normal in your industry). The working conditions and working relationships must also be equal to what is normal for the foreign employee. In addition, you are obliged to pay your foreign employee at least the statutory minimum wage for an employee of 21 years and older. Even if that employee is younger than 21 or works part-time”.

When working out your salary, IND will include any allowances and reimbursements included in your contract but not holiday allowances, payments in kind, and irregular pay (e.g., overtime pay).

How Do I Apply for A Short-Stay Work Permit?

The application is typically completed by the employer based in the Netherlands.

The application steps are as follows:

Employers must try to find a suitable candidate in the Netherlands or the EEA.
If a candidate cannot be found, the employer must then report a vacancy to the UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency) five weeks before applying for a work permit
The employer applies to the UWV for a short-term work permit – the Dutch Department of Labour states, “When you [the employer] apply for the work permit, you show this [evidence of searching for a suitable candidate] to UWV. Please enclose supporting documents such as copies of the advertisements with the application. This must show where and when the advertisements were placed and with what text. You must also enclose these supporting documents for the European recruitment”.
Employee applies for a Schengen visa (check if you need a short-stay Schengen visa based on your nationality)

Note – because the length of stay is less than 90 days, a residence permit for the Netherlands is not required.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for A Short-Term Work Permit?

The current application fee for a short-term work permit work scheme is €320.

What Is the Processing Time for The Short-Term Work Permit?

All applications are processed within 90 days of the receipt of all of the information required.

Reiss Edwards have the resources and expertise to assist with all aspects of Netherlands immigration. If you need assistance with your Short Stay Work permit application for Netherlands or any other immigration matter, feel free to contact our Immigration Solicitor for help.