• Foreign workers replenish shortages in the labour market.
• Certain foreign employees possess expertise of which there is not enough in the Netherlands. There are special arrangements for these workers, such as the Skilled Migrant Programme and programmes for athletes and artists.
Skilled Migrant Programme
Skilled migrants, such as talented architects and scientific researchers, are able to contribute to the Dutch economy. This is why more flexible admittance regulations apply to this group. Skilled migrants for instance, do not need a work permit. The employer attracting skilled migrants to The Netherlands, needs to meet certain requirements.
Skilled Employees
Skilled workers are permitted to look for work in The Netherlands for one year under certain conditions. They are also able to start an innovative business. These conditions are drawn up in the Skilled Employee Arrangement and ‘search year graduate'.
New Legal Regulations
The government would like to prevent employees avoiding The Netherlands due to too stringent regulations or complicated procedures. This is why the government has simplified the admittance regulations, especially the measures listed below:
• The entry visa procedure and the procedure for the regular residence permit have been combined. People wanting to live in The Netherlands only need to follow one procedure: The Entry and Residence Procedure (de Toegangs- en Verblijfsprocedure, TEV-procedure). This is registered in the Law for Modern Migration Policy. The law was passed by the Lower Chamber and the Upper Chamber and is in place since June 1, 2013.
• Businesses and organisations which attract foreign workers on a regular basis, are able to be labelled ‘Acknowledged Referrer’. The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) makes use of faster procedures for acknowledged referrers.
Seasonal Workers
Employers who employ seasonal workers from outside the EU will receive an employment permit if the seasonal worker has not worked in The Netherlands for at least 14 weeks. Seasonal workers are usually employed in the agricultural industry.