Orientation Year residence permit
Highly educated non-EU citizens who have graduated abroad or in the Netherlands can obtain a verblijfsvergunning zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden (Orientation Year residence permit for highly educated persons) with a maximum term of 1 year in order to find a job as a highly skilled migrant or to start an innovative company. This scheme aims to ensure that exceptional international talent is more easily admitted to the Netherlands.
An eligible applicant can apply for this residence permit within 3 years of completing a study or research project. It is not possible to extend the length of this 12-month residence permit, however it is possible to apply for another Orientation Year residence permit after another period of eligible study is completed.
During the 12-month period, Orientation Year permit holders are granted free access to the labour market in the Netherlands without any restrictions, which means no work permit is required. They are allowed to accept any temporary or permanent job, including paid or unpaid internships, to work as a freelancer or to start their own company.
If the verblijfsvergunning kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant residence permit) has been applied for during or directly following the time the applicant holds an Orientation Year residence permit, a reduced salary criterion is applicable.
TIP: The criteria for the Orientation Year permit differ to those for the highly skilled migrant residence permit (e.g. salary expectations) making this type of residence permit more accessible to tertiary educated non-Dutch citizens.