To hire a non-EU employee in the Netherlands in 2025, a company must apply for a work/residence permit.

Types of residence permits that allow a non-EU national to work at your company:

– Highly skilled migrant (with minimum wage requirement), your company must be a recognized sponsor and there are salary requirements.
– Intra-corporate transferee
– EU Blue Card
– Researcher (Directive 2016/801)
– Start-up staff

Work permit or single permit (GVVA):

– TWV: For short stays (less than 90 days).
– TWV: For asylumseekers who have been in procedure to get a residence permit in the Netherlands at least for 6 months.
– GVVA: For stays longer than 90 days. To be applied for via the IND. Please note that this is a complex application, where you must prove that you have recruited in the EU without success.

Asylum seekers with a valid residence permit can work in the Netherlands without any limitations.

– Careful recruitment
– You must inform the employee about the immigration procedure and other important rules 
– Keep copies of ID and permit
– Employee may only start after a permit has been granted
– Obligation to report to the IND and/or UWV all changes that may affect the lawful residence of your employee. This may concern, for example, dismissal, end of contract, but also relocation, bankruptcy or dissolution of your company (or legal entitiy of your company that is the employer).
– As a recognized sponsor, you are also responsible for the timely return of your non-EU employee after the end of the employment contract. Usually the employee has 3 months to do this. If he/she finds another job in the Netherlands with a recognised sponsor in the meantime, he/she will take over the obligations.

A good soft landing is essential for successful onboarding and retention of expats.

Before arrival:

– Rule Visas and permits timely
– Support in finding suitable housing
– Provide Welcome information about living, working, care, etc.
– Help with School/childcare for families

On arrival:

– Pick-up service from airport
– Link to a buddy or mentor, so that there is also attention after the first weeks
– Organize onboarding and cultural sessions
– Coordinate/guide registration, social security number, bank account etc.

First months:

– Offer language lessons
– Organize workshops on Dutch work culture
– Provide HR support
– Encourage social inclusion
– Long-term support:
– Discuss career development
– Support partners in work or networking
– Provide access to coaching or mental support

Tax advantage:

– Expat scheme (30% ruling): up to 30% tax-free for extraterritorial costs

Anywr Netherlands can assist you and your employee with all aspects of the international move to the Netherlands, from immigration to 30% ruling to relocation assistance. We offer different packages, from self-service to the red carpet, but also individual services. You are always welcome!