Q: I am an EU citizen, do I need an ‘Entry Visa’?
A: As an EU citizen you need not worry about visa, residence permit or work permit.

Q: I am a … citizen. Could you tell me what procedures I must follow to emigrate to the Netherlands?
A: We will provide you with an outline of all the steps detailing what procedures must be followed to successfully emigrate to the Netherlands.

Q: I wish to bring a non registered partner to the Netherlands. How do I proceed?
A: Whether you will be allowed to bring a non-EU partner to the Netherlands depends on your won situation, you’re relationship status and nationality. Initially the immigration regulations governing family reunion and family creation should be investigated first. Holland Gateway will be able to help you with the in-depth procedure once more information is provided.

Q: What is the IND covenant?
A: Being an IND covenant holder allows you to apply for certain fast track procedures. The most common being the knowledge migrant scheme.

Q: Do I need the public service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN)?
A: You should get a BSN number by registering at city hall. Without a BSN, no bank account, no health insurance. The birth certificate should also be present. Although an application *might* be accepted temporarily if the birth certificate is missing, you do not want to risk having the application fail on that ground. If you choose to register as a married person you will have to show the marriage certificate. Upon registry you will all receive a BSN number.

Q: Regarding the acquiring of the BSN number, can I register for my colleague/partner as well?
A: It is not possible to register with the municipal authorities for anyone else. Each individual has to register personally.

Q: We would like to hire knowledge migrants from outside the EU.
A: The knowledge migrant scheme is solely intended for non-EU nationals. The idea of the scheme is to make it easier to  employ said nationals without the need for a work permit and the related market test. The full procedure can only be invoked by a company established in the Netherlands that has also signed a covenant with the IND to be allowed to attract workers under the scheme.

Q: How can my company make use of the knowledge migrant scheme?
A: The idea of the scheme is to make it easier to  employ said nationals without the need for a work permit and the related market test. To make use of the scheme a company must have signed a covenant with the IND to be able to apply under the knowledge migrant scheme. Holland Gateway will put you in touch with the right partners at the IND.

Q: I would like to dismiss an employee who is employed under the knowledge migrant scheme. What are my options?
A: In this case normal Dutch contract requirements. The fact that the knowledge migrant scheme has been used does not invalidate any of the provisions outlined in the contract. This means that the clauses regarding dismissals should be respected as with any other contract.

Q: I would like to make us of the Knowledge migrant scheme. Can Holland Gateway help speed up the procedure?
A: Although we have a very close relationship with the IND, we cannot speed up affairs for our clients. In correspondence with our contacts at the IND we might be able to arrange a fast track depending on their input.

Q: I am ready to register with city hall. Can we send registration papers to you?
A: You cannot send us documents through; we need to carefully peruse your situation. Furthermore registry at city hall is one of the first steps and can only be undertaken by the actual person himself.

Q: We need labor migrant visas for our future employees. Could you help us with this?
A: We specialize in providing solutions for your immigration related questions. To process your request we need to know the nationality of the individuals in question, their qualifications and their prospective financial stability (e.g. salary indication) during the intended period of stay in the Netherlands.

Q: I would like to know more about using a business visa?
A: A business visa is another name given to the Schengen Visa. The Schengen Visa is valid for travel in the whole Schengen region (EU) for a maximum period of 90 days.

Q: Am I required to get a work permit in order to work in the Netherlands?
A: All non EU nationals are required to have a valid work permit to work in the EU. There are various treaties and regulations that eliminate the need for a work permit, such as the knowledge migrant scheme and the Dutch American Friendship Treaty. Application for a workpermit can take many weeks and is subjected to a market test that prescribes that the company applying for the work permit tries to find qualified personnel in the EU first.

Q: My colleague is from Singapore. What are the rules regarding immigration for him?
A: The rules for Singapore nationals are: For a stay of up to three months: no visa is needed. A valid passport is required. It is permitted to travel through all Schengen countries freely. For a stay of more than three months: An Entry Visa (MVV) is needed. A Work Permit is needed before working in the Netherlands is permitted.

Q: Can my colleague (Singapore national) collect and apply for the work permit once he has arrived in Holland with his Entry Visa (MVV)? His wife and two children will be joining him at the end of the year. At what stage should they apply for an MVV?
A: Yes. For a Singapore national a work permit is needed before working in the Netherlands is permitted. He will need to submit: passport, invitation letter, diplomas/degrees, CV, description of intended activities, proof of income. His wife and children should apply for an MVV at a later stage. As this is a case of ‘family reunification’ anyone between 18 and 65 years of age will have to pass an ‘immigration exam’ (inburgeringsexamen) to show they are ‘capable’ of becoming Dutch nationals.

Q: Will you be able to tell me where the Aliens Police office is?
A: Aliens Police office, Johan Huizingalaan 757, 1066 VH Amsterdam, Open mo to fr 08.00am - 11.00am

Q: With regards to health insurance, do we need private insurance or cover from the National Health Service?
A: National Health Service has been abolished in the Netherlands. It has now made place for compulsory private health insurance, the requirement of which is rigorously enforced.