Rules for foreign graduate job seekers relaxed
15 Jan 2008
International students from outside the European Union will now have a year to look for work in the Netherlands after finishing their studies.
They will, however, have to pay their own way while in the Netherlands (either from their own funds or paid employment) and they may not claim any state benefits. The minimum starting salary that foreign graduates need to earn to qualify as highly skilled migrants has been reduced from €34,130 to €25,000 p.a. This new threshold is more in tune with what new graduates can expect to earn in their first job.
The Cabinet approved the changes in May following recommendations made by the Social-Economic Council (SER) on labour migration and recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immigration Affairs (ACVZ) on student migration.
The changes were signed into law by the Minister for Social Affairs & Employment, Mr Piet Hein Donner, and the Minister for Health, Welfare & Sport, Mr Ab Klink.
It is hoped that the new regime will make it more attractive for talented international students to stay in the Netherlands after graduation, and this is part of the broader objective of further raising the quality of our knowledge economy.
(Source: Ministry of Social Affairs & Employment).
Want to know more?
Download the Nuffic-factsheet 'Staying After Your Studies' (94 kB).