Am I eligible for a highly educated orientation year?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Apply within three years of an eligible degree, doctorate or research. Check eligibility, the correct application route and permission to work separately.
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1. Check qualification and timing
This is not a general jobseeker permit. In the three years before applying you must have completed an eligible qualification, such as an accredited Dutch bachelor's/master's, Dutch postgraduate programme of at least ten months, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master or designated foreign master's/doctorate/postgraduate programme. Certain Dutch cultural/development-cooperation courses and Dutch scientific research also qualify. Research requires residence under Directive 2016/801 or a highly skilled researcher permit with a UFO job code beginning 01. Check general IND conditions and any special Turkish-national rules.
2. Assess a foreign qualification
A designated foreign institution must have been in the top 200 at graduation/doctorate in rankings from at least two different publishers: THE, QS and Shanghai. Overall and subject rankings may be combined; the subject must match. You also need, for example, IELTS 6.0, an accepted comparable test, a designated integration document or study in English/Dutch. Foreign diplomas require advance Nuffic evaluation, except Flemish diplomas listed in the official higher-education register.
3. Choose online or paper
Online application with DigiD requires residence in the Netherlands, graduation/doctorate/research here, a still-valid permit for that purpose, BRP registration and a BSN. If any online condition is missing, use the appropriate paper route. For applications within the Netherlands IND lists form 7023. Gather the required evidence and, where required, legalise and translate official foreign documents into Dutch, English, French or German.
4. Apply from abroad
First check whether an MVV is required. If so, apply jointly for MVV and residence at the Dutch representation in your country of nationality or a country where you may stay over three months; if none exists, use the nearest representation. Use form 9571 and bring passport, photo and other required papers. After registration and biometrics the form is returned. Send it yourself to IND and pay: wait one week after the appointment, but complete both within three weeks. The appointment alone does not complete the application.
5. Track payment and decision
Check current IND fees and exemptions. Pay immediately online; a domestic paper application receives payment instructions. The decision period is 90 days, which IND may extend with notice. Keep application, payment and receipt, follow Mijn IND and answer requests for further documents. A refusal explains objection and deadline; our preparation submits nothing.
6. Check work permission
The granted orientation-year permit allows unrestricted employment, internships and self-employment without a TWV. Applying alone does not confer this right while pending: IND specifies proof of a completed Dutch qualification, evaluated foreign diploma (Flemish exception) or research within the last three years. You must also first obtain a residence endorsement sticker stating unrestricted work without TWV. Confirm your specific work entitlement before starting.
7. Collect documents and comply
If an MVV is granted, make an appointment for its sticker at the representation within three months after the decision. Your passport must still be valid for six months when the sticker is placed; the MVV itself lasts 90 days. Collect the residence card by appointment after IND's letter. If you undertook to undergo TB screening, arrange it with the GGD within three months after the permit is granted. Report relevant changes under the information duty; check travel separately.
8. Plan the end of the year
The orientation-year permit lasts one year and cannot be extended. For a longer stay, apply in time for another suitable purpose such as highly skilled employment, self-employment or start-up. Another orientation year cannot reuse the same qualification/research: new study or research must have finished after the previous orientation year, and research again requires the specified residence status. A new job does not automatically extend your permit.
May I work as soon as I apply?
Not merely because you applied. You need to fit the specified evidence route and first obtain a residence sticker with the appropriate unrestricted-work endorsement. Check with IND before starting.
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