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Work while you study in Netherlands:
If you want to take a job along with your studies, your employer needs to apply for a work permit for you. The organisation that decides on work permits is called UWV Werkbedrijf. If you are studying at a Dutch host institution and you need to do an internship as part of your study programme, you do not need a work permit. Your host institution and your employer do need to sign an internship agreement. A Citizen's Service Number (Burgerservicenummer – BSN) is also required in order to start working in Netherlands. You can get this from your local city hall when you registered as a resident (usually arranged by universities in the first week of student orientation).You need to be aware that as soon as you pick up a job, you are obliged to take out the Dutch basic healthcare insurance. If you do not meet this requirement you risk a huge fine.
You may only work in paid employment if your employer has a for you. You are then allowed to work:
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for a maximum of 16 hours a week; or
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full-time during the summer months June, July and August.
If you work for more hours than allowed or if your employer was not issued a TWV for you, then you are (unintentionally) working illegally. In case of an infringement, the IND will contact the educational institute where you are studying. The Inspectorate will then fine the employer for illegal employment.
Here are some tips for finding a job in Netherlands that suits you:
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Search for all the opportunities you have – websites, friends, colleagues, shops near your place – you never know which one will be the your lucky shot unless you try. Don’t forget to type in Dutch so that you have more chances of finding something (use google translate if you don’t know the language yet).
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Show that you have motivation – Dutch people seem to appreciate more people who show motivation and ambition. Whether it’s about learning the language, learning some skills that are vital for your job or simply why you want to get this job – show it!
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Don’t be afraid to learn Dutch – A new language sounds weird and mostly is really hard to learn, but once you feel the surrounding environment around you, it won’t be that hard to get some some phrases in Dutch or even make a proper conversation.
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Fix your time management – Of course, nothing can be perfect, but why not try to make it close enough to that. Get one of those agenda books and fill everything in. In this way you will make sure you won’t forget anything and will keep track.
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Working as an intern in Netherlands:
A very common method to find an internship is through your university. Almost all universities have a dedicated desk where they can give you access to their database of internship opportunities. If you want to do an internship as part of your study programme in Netherlands, you can do this on the basis of your student visa. The employer does not need to apply for a work permit for you. The employer must, however, be able to present an internship agreement to the Labour Inspectorate, upon request. As long as your pay is only a compensation for expenses, it will not be subject to taxation. Expenses include, for example, travel expenses.
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Work on a self-employed basis:
Next to your study you are allowed to work in the Netherlands as a self employed person (without a TWV). Important is that you continue to meet the requirements for your residence permit for study. You need to register your company in the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel). You need to pay taxes yourself. You might be obliged to take out Dutch public healthcare insurance.
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Work after your degree:
Netherlands Alumni are highly employable. A special portal is set up by the Dutch government with information about all the career opportunities, about business culture, salary and practical information on set up by Nuffic (the national organization that deals with education in Netherlands).
Currently, over 660,000 people are employed in agriculture: good news for students of Food Science and Technology, Environmental Studies, Power and Energy Engineering and of course, Agriculture. Students with transferable skills in fields such as Marketing, Management or Engineering could similarly find a position within this field. Creative industries are also a key point of investment focus for the government. Comprising industries such as architecture, design, gaming and fashion, students in fields of Media, Graphic Design, Architecture, Game Design and Software Engineering are well-positioned to find themselves a role. Approximately 172,000 people are currently employed within the creative sector, with around 66% of them self-employed. With key focus on Civil Engineering and needs for skilled workers to maintain and create structures, transferrable problem-solving and material-based skills are well in demand.
