Orientation Year

Talented, highly-educated foreigners can apply for the Orientation year highly-educated persons permit within 3 years of obtaining a degree or completing a research project (specific conditions apply).

The permit is valid for 1 year, during which the permit holder is allowed to work without any restrictions. During or after the Orientation Year permit, employers may hire the highly-educated  person as a highly-skilled migrant with a reduced salary level compared to a regular highly-skilled migrant. In 2025, this reduced salary is €2,989 per month, excluding vacation pay.

Another advantage of the new permit is that people may apply for the 1 year permit within 3 years of completion of each degree or research position.

For a complete listing of all the relevant conditions, please view this link on the IND website. The application must be submitted directly to the IND, but if it is approved, the residence permit card may be collected at the IWCN. The IND also provides a handy FAQ regarding Orientation year with answers to common questions.

You can also use the online ‘Orientation Year Permit tool’ on the Welcome to NL platform. The tool provides a quick answer to the question of whether someone is eligible for a residence permit orientation year for highly skilled people. After entering the graduation year, the university and the study programme, you will see whether the diploma meets the requirement for this residence permit.