• the work permit (‘TWV’)
  • the work and residence permit (‘GVVA’)

This permit is issued by UWV. You will be able to apply for this permit if 1 of the following applies to the person you intend to hire:

  • They are already living in the Netherlands and have a residence permit (for example, international students and asylum seekers). 
  • They will be working in the Netherlands for less than 3 months. 
  • They will be working in the Netherlands for more than 3 months but will not officially reside here.

Keep in mind that the person you will be hiring cannot work in the Netherlands without a valid temporary residence permit. The only exception to this rule is if they will be staying in the Netherlands for less than 3 months, then a visa might be enough.

Criteria you will need to meet as an employer

You will only be able to arrange a work permit (‘TWV’) for your potential worker if the all of the following are true:

  • You always follow the rules and regulations of Dutch employment law. For example, you are going to pay your potential worker the national minimum wage for 21 years and older (even if they are younger). 
  • You have never been fined for violating Dutch employment law in the past 5 years.

This permit is required for people who will be working in the Netherlands for more than 3 months and for whom 1 of the following is true: 

  • They do not have a residence permit. 
  • They will officially be residing in the Netherlands. 

You, or the person you will be hiring, will be able to apply for a work and residence permit via the IND.

Please note: To arrange a work and residence permit for an employee in the Asian restaurant sector, you will need to post your vacancy on UWV’s Support Centre for the Asian Restaurant Sector (‘het Servicepunt Aziatische Horeca van UWV’).

Most workers from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland will need to meet additional criteria in order to qualify for a permit. These criteria will vary depending on your worker’s situation. To find out which criteria apply to your worker, click on the category that most closely matches their situation (in Dutch).

A work permit or work and residence permit will not be required if the person you intend to hire belongs to 1 of the following groups:

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