The Netherlands is currently facing a labor shortage in various sectors, and there's a visa option that allows highly educated individuals to move to the country without a job offer. The 'Orientation Year Highly Educated Persons' residence permit is designed for this purpose, granting a one-year visa that allows unrestricted work in the Netherlands.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process:
1. English Language Proficiency:
- Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (Academic or General Training) or equivalent on other accepted tests like TOEFL, TOEIC, or Cambridge English.
- Minimum score requirements must be met to demonstrate proficiency in English.
2. Educational Qualifications:
- Hold a diploma, certificate, or document from a designated foreign educational institution.
- The educational institution must be in the top 200 of at least two general rankings or available rankings per faculty or academic subject.
- Rankings should be from at least two different publishers, including but not limited to Times Higher Education, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.
3. Designated Foreign Educational Institution:
- Check the rankings of the educational institution in which you completed the study or doctoral program.
- The institution must be in the top 200 of relevant rankings on the date of program completion.
- Rankings from different publishers are required, and those from the same publisher count as one.
4. Evaluation of Foreign Diplomas:
- All foreign diplomas must be evaluated by Nuffic before acceptance.
- This evaluation requirement excludes diplomas from accredited higher education programs in Flanders, Belgium.
Application Resources:
- [Frequently Asked Questions - Orientation Year Highly Educated Persons](https://ind.nl/en/documents/06-2022/faqorientationyearhighlyeducatedpersons.pdf)
- [Detailed Information on Residence Permit for Orientation Year](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-orientation-year)
Before considering this visa option, individuals are encouraged to thoroughly research and understand the specific requirements based on their educational background. The Netherlands offers an opportunity for highly educated individuals to explore career prospects without the immediate need for a job offer.
