Non-EU nationals coming to the Netherlands from most countries are generally required to have a tourist or a business visa to enter the Netherlands. It is advisable to check with the Dutch Embassy or Consulate to confirm whether a visa is required since the countries qualifying for visa waivers can change.

The visa is issued for a maximum period of 90 days and is not extendable. Furthermore, the holder of the visa may remain no longer than 90 days in a 180-day period within the Schengen Area, whose member states include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Passport holders of the following countries do not require a visa for a stay of 90 days or less: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Domenica, East Timor, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Macau SAR, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Naura, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and de Grenadines, Salomon Islands, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Ukraine, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vatican City and Venezuela.

The above list of countries also includes European countries. Nationals of EU/European Economic Area (EEA) member states and Switzerland do not require a visa in general, regardless of the duration of stay.

The absence of a visa requirement does not imply that a non-EU national is also allowed to perform work activities in the Netherlands. In principle, a work permit will be required, although there are certain exemptions (e.g., for business meetings). It is advised to consult an attorney to determine the scope and duration of such exemptions.

A non-EU national intending to remain in the Netherlands for more than three months must apply for a residence permit. The conditions for obtaining a residence permit depend entirely on the purpose of coming to the Netherlands. A non-EU national wishing to work in the Netherlands must usually obtain three types of documents:

• A temporary residence permit (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV)), which enables the holder to enter the Netherlands (an MVV is not required for citizens of the EEA, the EU and Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Korea and Vatican City. Foreign nationals of these nationalities may enter the Netherlands without an MVV or business visa, and may apply for a residence permit.)
• A residence permit, which enables the holder to live in the Netherlands
• A work permit, which under certain conditions, enables the holder to work in the Netherlands

The individual can apply for the MVV in their country of residence. Alternatively, the employer in the Netherlands, or the person with whom the non-EU national will be staying with in the Netherlands, can file the application in the Netherlands.

Depending on the purpose of the stay, obtaining an MVV can take between two weeks and six months. The employer in the Netherlands or the person with whom the non-EU national will be staying while in the Netherlands can follow a single procedure to apply for an MVV and a residence permit for the non-EU national.

A non-EU national who intends to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months is required to obtain a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning). A residence permit will not be granted if the non-EU national is first required to obtain an MVV.

The residence permit is generally issued for a maximum of one year or — in case of residence for labor purposes — for the duration of employment in the Netherlands, up to a maximum of five years. If no changes of circumstances have occurred, it is extendable. After possessing a residence permit for five years, the non-EU national may apply for a permanent residence permit, which is renewable every five years.

Certain residence permit categories will provide work authorization, in addition to residence privileges. In that case, a separate work permit will not be required, provided that applicable conditions are met.

Skilled and highly educated non-EU nationals do not require separate work permits for employment if they obtain a highly skilled migrant permit. To qualify as a "highly skilled migrant," one objective criterion is judged: the salary. A highly skilled migrant is a non-EU national who will be employed in the Netherlands (on a local contract) and will receive a gross monthly salary of at least EUR 5,331 (EUR 5,757.48, including 8% holiday allowance) or at least EUR 3,909 (EUR 4,221.72, including 8% holiday allowance) if younger than the age of 30. This threshold will be indexed every year.

Employers who want to hire highly skilled migrants must hold a special status with the IND, i.e., a so-called recognized sponsorship (erkend referentschap). Recognized sponsors benefit from the IND's assumption that they fulfill all relevant obligations under the Dutch Modern Migration Policy Act. As a result, the IND applies an expedited handling procedure and aims to decide on a permit application within a period of approximately two weeks. Unfortunately, the IND rarely meets its two-week target term in practice. Generally, the procedure takes an additional two to four weeks. Provided that the IND grants the request for qualification as a recognized sponsor, the status will be granted for an indefinite period, although it must be used regularly (at least every three years) for the IND not to withdraw the status.

The residence permit for a highly skilled migrant provides residence and work privileges in the Netherlands. As indicated above, a separate work permit is not required, as long as applicable conditions continue to be met.

A highly skilled migrant may receive a residence permit for up to five years, assuming that their passport and employment contract are valid for at least five years. Should this not be the case, then the residence permit will be issued for the shortest validity period mentioned in the employment contract or assignment letter.

The highly skilled migrant may start working in the Netherlands upon receipt of the residence card, or, if they require an MVV entry visa first, upon receipt of the visa with an indication that work activities are allowed in anticipation of the residence card.

The Netherlands adopted the European Blue Card, a separate permit category alternative to the highly skilled migrant procedure. This permit category makes it easier for a non-EU national (and their family) to transfer from one EU member state to another.

To qualify for the European Blue Card, the non-EU national must have an employment contract for at least one year and must earn a gross minimum of EUR 6,245 per month (EUR 6,744.60, including 8% holiday allowance).

Furthermore, the non-EU national must have a degree for the completion of higher education that lasted at least three years (bachelor's or master's). The degree must be accredited and measured against the Dutch educational system (Nuffic).

A potential advantage for companies is that they do not require the recognized sponsor status with the IND to sponsor a European Blue Card, as opposed to when they intend to sponsor a highly skilled migrant.

A European Blue Card holder does not require a separate work permit, provided that applicable conditions are met.

Accompanying dependents will not require a work permit to perform work activities in the Netherlands either. Upon receipt of their residence cards, they will obtain residence and work privileges similar to those granted to the European Blue Card holder.

The Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) permit category is for non-EU employees who reside outside of the EU and who are bound (and remain bound during their secondment) by a work contract with a non-EU entity belonging to the same group of companies, which is established in the EU member state to which they are seconded.

Further non-exhaustive terms and conditions are as follows:

• The individual must have been employed within the group of companies for at least three consecutive months immediately prior to the secondment.
• The individual must qualify as a "manager," "specialist," or "trainee" under the definition thereof stipulated in the European Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive (2014/66).
• The individual must have the qualifications and experience required by the host company to which they are seconded as manager or specialist (if the individual is seconded as a trainee, a university degree and training agreement are required).
• The individual must enjoy equal treatment with nationals occupying comparable positions in relation to the remuneration they receive during the entire secondment (in principle, the salary thresholds for a highly skilled migrant are considered for this purpose).
• The individual intends to return to a group company outside of the Netherlands after the secondment.

If the ICT permit conditions are applicable, other (labor-related) permit categories (e.g., the highly skilled migrant permit) will not be available as an alternative means to obtain work and residence authorization.

The maximum duration of the ICT permit is three years (one year for trainees). A new ICT permit after this period will only be issued if the individual leaves Europe for more than six months. To prevent a required period of interruption, other permit categories will have to be considered to allow continuation of residence and work in the Netherlands after the maximum duration of the ICT permit.

Companies do not require the recognized sponsor status with the IND to sponsor an ICT permit.

An ICT permit holder does not require a separate work permit, provided that applicable conditions are met.

Accompanying dependents will not require a work permit to perform work activities in the Netherlands either. Upon receipt of their residence cards, they will obtain residence and work privileges similar to those granted to the ICT permit holder.