Orientation Year Visa Netherlands
The orientation year, the zoekjaar, is one of the most generous permits in Europe. If you graduated recently from a Dutch institution or a highly ranked international university, it gives you twelve months to live in the Netherlands and work for any employer, no sponsorship required.
The application itself is straightforward when done right, so our real value is what comes after: turning that year into a career and a home. We guide graduates from the first form to the first apartment, and stay close while you find your footing.
Who qualifies
- Graduates of Dutch universities and hogescholen, within three years of graduating
- Graduates of top-ranked international universities
- PhD holders and researchers who recently finished in the Netherlands or abroad
- Former orientation year candidates now switching to a work permit
What we do for you
Eligibility check
We verify your degree, its date and your university’s ranking position against the IND requirements before you spend a euro on the application.
Full application handling
You apply for this permit yourself, without an employer. We prepare the file, submit it and track it so nothing stalls.
Diploma paperwork
Foreign degrees need the right certified copies and, in some cases, legalization. We tell you precisely what to bring.
Landing support
Municipality registration, BSN, health insurance and a room or apartment in a market that is brutal for newcomers. We know where to look and who to call.
The step after
When you find a job, employers can hire you against a reduced salary threshold. We manage the switch to a highly skilled migrant permit when the moment comes.
How it works
- 01
Check
One conversation to confirm you qualify and to plan the timing of your move.
- 02
Apply
We prepare and file the IND application and keep you updated at every status change.
- 03
Arrive and settle
We line up your registration and essentials so you can spend the year on your career, not on bureaucracy.
The three-year window after graduation is strict, and rankings lists change per year. If you are close to the edge, contact us before you assume you are out. Questions rarely keep office hours, which is why clients reach us on a personal WhatsApp line day and night.
Frequently asked
Can I work during the orientation year?
Yes, fully and freely. Any employer can hire you without a work permit or sponsorship during the twelve months.
Do I need a job or income to apply?
No job offer is required. You do need to show you can support yourself, and we walk you through what the IND accepts as proof.
What happens when the year ends?
Most graduates switch to a highly skilled migrant permit through their new employer, at a reduced salary threshold that makes hiring you easier. We plan that transition well before month twelve.
Your degree just opened a door
Tell us where and when you graduated. We will confirm your eligibility and sketch your year in the Netherlands.
Thank you, your inquiry has been sent
Johanna will personally review your situation and reply within one business day, usually much sooner. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp.
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