Immigration

Entry requirements

As a participant in Europe’s Schengen Agreement, the Netherlands allows U.S. citizens to enter the country for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you are traveling for any other purpose or if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you should inquire about the appropriate visa at the Dutch Embassy or a Dutch Consulate in the United States. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.

For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see the Schengen fact sheet.

Further information on visa types can be found at the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service website or the U.S. Department of State.

Temporary Residency

U.S. residents can reside in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days with a Temporary Residence Permit. To apply, you will need the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Evidence that you can support yourself, such as an employment contract
• Proof that you have no criminal record

Further information is available at this Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service website.

Permanent Residency

If you have held a Temporary Residence Permit for five consecutive years, you may apply to have it changed into a Permanent Residence Permit. You must submit a new application for permanent residency.

To apply you must have:

• A valid passport
• Proof of health insurance
• A current residence permit
• Documentary proof of income
• Documentary evidence showing that you have been resident in the Netherlands for five consecutive years on the basis of a valid residence permit immediately prior to your application.
• A civic integration examination diploma or a comparable diploma

More information on obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit is available on this Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation website.

Work Permits

Working in the Netherlands requires that you hold a Residence Permit. There are several types of Work Permits you can apply for, depending on your needs.

Seasonal Labor. A seasonal worker is a foreign national who comes to the Netherlands for a maximum period of 24 weeks to work in seasonal employment.

Work as an employee. Foreign nationals who comes to the Netherlands to work as an employee. Also included are spiritual leaders or ministers of religion. In most cases your employer will need a to apply for a single permit.

Self-employed work. If you wish to practice a profession or set up a business in the Netherlands, you may apply for a residence permit as an independent entrepreneur. Your business must serve a material Dutch economic purpose.

Work as a highly skilled immigrant. A highly skilled immigrant is a foreign national who comes to the Netherlands to work as a highly skilled employee and makes a contribution towards the Dutch knowledge-based economy. A highly skilled immigrant can come to the Netherlands following a simplified admission procedure.

Work as a scientific researcher. A scientific researcher is an employee who performs a research project approved by a Dutch research institute in the Netherlands.

Work as a college graduate. If you have successfully finished your higher education study program in the Netherlands, you may apply for an orientation year for graduates. This orientation year enables you to seek employment.

EU Blue Card. The European Union Blue Card is meant for employees who perform highly qualified labor within the European Union. The national conditions for granting the EU Blue Card have to be met. In order to qualify for a EU Blue Card, employees must satisfy the wage and education requirements.

More information on work visas can be found on this Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service website.

Retirement

Those wishing to retire in the Netherlands must obtain a Permanent Residence Permit. Please refer to the information in the Permanent Residency section.

To be eligible for permanent residence in the Netherlands with the status of a long-term resident-EC, you will have to meet the following conditions:

• You have held a Temporary Residence Permit for a minimum of five consecutive years. (Please note that a permit for exchange purposes does not count for the five-year period. The years you have stayed in the Netherlands for study purposes count for half the period).
• You currently have a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose of stay You have sufficient long-term means of support
• You are not a risk to public order or national security
• You are sufficiently integrated into Dutch society and are able to read, write, speak and understand Dutch. You must prove this by taking a civic integration examination. If you successfully complete a civic integration course (at A2-level) or attain another diploma, you will be eligible for an exemption.

For more detailed information, please visit this Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service website.