Many foreign students living in the Netherlands want to have a student job or work placement. Employers need to know that rules apply when hiring foreign students.
Student job
If a foreign student is interested in a student job, largely the same rules apply as for foreign workers.
European students
Free movement of workers applies to students who are nationals of 1 of the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. They may work in the Netherlands.
Non-European students
Non-European students with a valid residence document stating Arbeid vrij toegestaan. Tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV) niet vereist (No employment restrictions. Work permit not required) may work. If the student has a document showing studying as their purpose of residence (or another purpose of residence, but with limited employment rights) they need a work permit (TWV).
An employer can apply to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) for a work permit (TWV).
Among other things, the application must state how many hours the student will work. A student may work during the term of the permit. They must choose between:
- working full-time in the months of June, July and August; or
- working a maximum of 16 hours per week.
Work placement
Trainees who are nationals of 1 of the countries of the EEA or Switzerland may work freely in the Netherlands.
In some cases, the employer must apply for a work permit (TWV) or a combined permit for residence and work (GVVA) for trainees who are nationals of a country outside the EEA or Switzerland.
Studying in the Netherlands
If the trainee is enrolled on a study programme in the Netherlands and the work placement is relevant to that programme, the employer does not need to apply for a work permit (TWV). This is because the student already has a residence permit to attend that study programme. The employer will need a work permit (TWV) if the trainee is to carry out other work for the employer.
Specific arrangements for the work placement must be made with the student and the educational institution. These arrangements are recorded in a work placement agreement between the employer, the trainee and the educational institution. The Netherlands Labour Authority may ask the employer to produce the agreement.
Studying abroad
If the trainee is enrolled on a study programme abroad, the employer must apply for a work permit for the trainee.
- If the work placement will last less than 3 months, the employer must apply to the Employee Insurance Agency for a work permit (Dutch). In addition to the TWV, the foreign worker must have (or obtain) a residence permit or visa that permits them to live in the Netherlands.
- If the work placement will last longer than 3 months, the employer must apply to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for a combined permit for residence and work (GVVA).