Zoekjaar for Highly-Educated Graduates

Zoekjaar

FOR HIGHLY-EDUCATED GRADUATES Literally translated, zoekjaar translates into ‘search year’; a program created by the Dutch government for highly-educated graduates with bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees who would like to work in the Netherlands after graduation.

Think of a zoekjaar as an orientation year, or a year in which graduates – who want to work in the Netherlands after they get their degrees – have time to look for a job. The government rec ognizes their skills and the great value of their knowledge and expertise to the Netherlands, so it provides a special oneyear status to find work here.

Am I Eligible? Here’s how it works. If you are a graduate of an accredited bachelor’s or master’s program in the Netherlands, or you have an MA/MS or doctorate from a Dutch university or a high-ranking foreign university, you can apply! You have three years from the date you receive your degree to apply for this special status. (See more below).

Lists of accredited academic institutions can be found on several websites: - Times Higher Education World University Rankings - QS World University Rankings - Academic Ranking of World universities. Applying Before you apply, you must have in your hand a diploma or a declaration from your university that you have fulfilled all the requirements for your degree. The Dutch immigration service (IND) requires you to have them before you apply for the orientation year status.

The application is called ‘orientation year highly educated persons’ and you can fill it out yourself. The application fees are on the IND website (IND.nl available in English).

Not Physically Present Are you not physically in the Netherlands when you apply for the search year? You will need to start the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV procedure) at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your country. That is where you get an MVV (in Dutch, stands for machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf), and your residence permit.

62 | the xpat journal | 2020 ‘education’, it is valid for three months after your program ends or until the start date of your search year if you are doing that right after school.

Background Three-Year Window The rules allow three years in which to apply because people may want to go home to visit family and friends and to spend some time there after a long time away at school, before settling down to a career. It is a thoughtful gesture from the Dutch, who value a good work-life balance.

What Can You Do During the Orientation Year? During your orientation year, you are free to work in the Netherlands. There is one condi tion: you must meet the salary requirements. Check the IND website (search for Income Requirements) or Payingit International’s website for the current required salary level.

Sponsorship To apply, you need to be employed by a company that is a recognized sponsor with the IND. You can discuss this with your hir-

er or ask Payingit International to sponsor you – they are a sponsor and can act as your ‘employer’ for the occasion, by putting you on their payroll. More information is available on the website in an article called I am a Knowledge Migrant. How should I act?

What Happens at the End of the Zoekjaar? Should you end up loving it here and wanting to work and live in the Netherlands after your orientation year is up, you can extend your stay as what is called a Knowledge Migrant. Note: This is extremely good news for you because it’s a special status that comes with some tax incentives. For details, see the Payingit International website.

Important: You need to submit an application for knowledge migrant status before the end of your orientation year.

You Found Your Dream Job – Now What? Did you find your dream job during the zoekjaar and does the company want to sign you up as an employee? First of all, congratulations and welcome! And sec

‘Payingit International is a recognized sponsor and can put you on their payroll on behalf of your hirer with their Payroll Umbrella Services’

ond, you and the hirer are doing a great job by making the most of the search year program – you have proved your skills and found a place you like, and the Netherlands has gained a highly-skilled person.

About that contract – a company has to be what is called a recognized sponsor (a referent in Dutch) in order to hire you, and some companies don’t have that status. Don’t worry though; Payingit International has a solution to get it organized. They can put you on their payroll on behalf of your hirer with their Payroll Umbrella Services.

Family and Children During a Zoekjaar? If your family is already here and has a residence permit, nothing needs to be done. If your family members do not have a residence permit, you need to prove to the IND that you meet the terms and conditions – or have the means to support yourselves for one year – to be eligible for a family reunion; check the mandatory financial requirements on the IND website IND.nl, search for Income Requirements Family.

During the zoekjaar, members of your family are also allowed to work here, free of restrictions. This is a great advantage if your wife/husband/partner has a career. They don’t have to lose valuable years of experience or miss out on interesting jobs. Not to be underestimated!

If you would like more information or would like to discuss your particular situation, Payingit International has helped hundreds of people in just this situation, and they would be glad to help you with this important first year of your career in the Netherlands.