Emigración a los Países Bajos para ucranianos: visados, permisos de residencia y permisos de trabajo

Mudarse a los Países Bajos ofrece grandes oportunidades para vivir, trabajar y estudiar, pero requiere una preparación cuidadosa. Descubre más sobre un visado para los Países Bajos, cómo obtener un permiso de residencia y de trabajo, y otros aspectos importantes de la emigración

Asistencia legal en cuestiones migratorias para ucranianos en Ucrania y en el extranjero

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Emigration to the Netherlands attracts many Ukrainians due to the high standard of living, quality education and numerous opportunities for professional development. At the same time, the relocation process may seem complicated due to the need to apply for visas, residence permits and work permits. To successfully emigrate and adapt to new conditions, it is important to understand the specifics of each stage.

How to get a visa to the Netherlands, what documents are required for this, as well as work permits and other important factors of emigration to the Netherlands, are described in the article below.

You can find out how to get to the Netherlands by car, as well as convenient routes from the Netherlands to Ukraine by following the links.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to the Netherlands can be found here:

- Travelling to the Netherlands for tourism purposes;

- Work in the Netherlands;

- Immigration to the Netherlands;

- Study in the Netherlands;

- Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the Netherlands.

Rules for entering the Netherlands for Ukrainians: do I need a visa?

Ukrainians do not need a visa for short-term travel to the Netherlands if they have a biometric passport. You are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

For a convenient calculation of the days of your stay in the Schengen area, you can use a special calculator. If your plans include a stay of more than 90 days, you must apply to the relevant Dutch authorities for a long-term visa or residence permit.

Read more about the rules of entry and residence in the Netherlands here.

How to move to the Netherlands: types of visas for long-term stay

Different types of visas are available for Ukrainians planning a trip to the Netherlands, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay. The main categories are as follows:

- Short-term visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in the Netherlands and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa is suitable for tourist, business or family visits. However, Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport do not need this visa.

- Long-term visa. If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you need to apply for a national visa. This visa is a prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit and can be issued for various purposes: study, work, family reunification or other long-term needs.

- Employment visa. For official employment in the Netherlands, a work visa is required, which is issued after the conclusion of a contract with an employer. The most common types are a Highly Skilled Migrant visa for professionals who have received a job offer from a certified employer and a seasonal work visa for temporary work in agriculture or tourism.

- Study visa. Students entering Dutch universities must apply for a visa.

- Family visa. If you want to reunite with family members living in the Netherlands, you can apply for a family reunification visa.

- Entrepreneur visa. This type of visa is intended for people who plan to start their own business in the Netherlands. You will need to prove that your activities will benefit the country's economy.

Each type of visa has its own document requirements, processing time and conditions. Therefore, before applying, it is important to carefully study the requirements and consult with the relevant specialists. The lawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

We talked about the cost of living in the Netherlands in our previous article.

Documents for applying for a long-term visa to the Netherlands

Applying for a long-term visa to the Netherlands requires careful preparation of documents. Depending on the purpose of your stay, the list may vary slightly, but the basic package of documents usually includes:

- A completed application form. The form can be downloaded from the official website or obtained at the relevant visa application centre or consulate.

- International passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned return, contain at least two blank pages and be issued no earlier than 10 years ago.

- Two colour photographs. The photos must meet ICAO standards (size 35x45 mm, light background, clear face without glasses with darkened lenses).

- Confirmation of the purpose of the trip. For studies - a letter of admission to the university, for work - an employment contract or an invitation from the employer, for family reunification - proof of kinship (marriage, birth certificate, etc.), for business - a business plan and documents confirming financial solvency.

- Health insurance. The policy must cover the cost of treatment in all Schengen countries with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

- Proof of financial solvency. Documents confirming your ability to finance your stay, such as income statement, bank statements or proof of sponsorship.

- Certificate of no criminal record.

- Medical certificate. Confirmation from a doctor that you do not have any serious illnesses that may pose a risk to public health.

- Confirmation of payment of the fee (receipt of payment of the consular fee for processing the visa application).

The Netherlands has recently tightened border controls. Read what travellers should know here.

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The Netherlands for Ukrainians: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

The following steps are required to successfully obtain a visa:

1. Choose the type of visa. Determine the type of visa that corresponds to the purpose of your trip (short-term, long-term, transit, work, etc.).

2. Prepare the necessary documents. Gather a package of documents according to the type of visa you have chosen. For long-term visas, additional documents may be required, such as a certificate of no criminal record or proof of residence.

3. Fill in the application form. Download the application form from the official website of the consulate, fill it out carefully, making sure that all the data corresponds to your documents.

4. Submit the documents. Make an appointment at a consulate, embassy or accredited visa application centre. Bring all the necessary documents at the appointed time and pay the consular fee.

5. Wait for the decision. The processing of a short-term visa application takes from 5 to 15 working days, while for long-term visas this period may be longer. In some cases, additional documents may be required and you will be informed about this.

6. Receive yourvisa. Once your application is approved, collect your passport and visa from the consulate or visa application centre.

Take care of your health while travelling to Europe with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

Residence permit in the Netherlands for Ukrainians

If you are planning to live in the Netherlands for more than three months and are not a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you need a residence permit. This document can be valid for up to five years.

To obtain a residence permit in the Netherlands, you must have a valid passport for the entire period of your stay and prove your financial solvency through salary documents, proof of share ownership or a letter of guarantee from a sponsor. It is mandatory to have health insurance for the entire period of residence. It is also important to provide documents confirming the purpose of your stay, such as an employment contract, documentation from an educational institution or a marriage certificate. During the first three months, you must undergo a tuberculosis test, although some categories of persons, including EU citizens and holders of long-term residence permits in the EU, are exempt from this requirement.

In many cases, you will first need to obtain an MVV (long-term visa). The application can be submitted through the Dutch embassy in your home country or through a sponsor who applies directly to the immigration service. All documents must be translated into one of the official languages (Dutch, English, French or German) and duly legalised with an apostille. After submitting the documents and paying the fee, the application is processed within 90 days.

Almost all types of permits require a sponsor, which can be an employer, an educational institution or a family member. Additionally, many applicants aged 18 to 65 are required to pass an integration exam that tests their knowledge of the Dutch language and society. However, certain categories of persons, including Turkish citizens and holders of certain qualifications, are exempt from this requirement.

There are temporary (up to 5 years) and permanent residence permits. A permanent residence permit can be obtained after 5 years of legal residence in the country. Temporary permits are divided according to the purpose of stay: for work, study, family reunification and other purposes. It is important to understand that not all types of permits can be extended after the expiry date - for example, permits for Au Pairs or seasonal workers have a limited period without the possibility of extension.

Read more about residence permit in the Netherlands for Ukrainians here.

Life in the Netherlands for Ukrainians: how to obtain citizenship?

The main ways of obtaining Dutch citizenship are naturalisation, birth, the option procedure and marriage. Naturalisation requires at least five years of residence in the country with a permanent residence permit. For those who are married to a Dutch citizen, the period of residence is reduced to three years.

Citizenship by birth is available to persons whose parents were Dutch citizens at the time of the child's birth. It is important to note that the conditions vary depending on the year of birth - the date of 1 January 1985 is particularly important, as it determines different rules for inheriting citizenship through the father or mother.

The optional procedure is intended for persons with Dutch ancestry, including those born before 1985 to a Dutch mother, or minors with special circumstances.

Dutch citizenship provides numerous benefits: the ability to obtain a passport, the right to travel freely within the EU, vote in elections, use the healthcare system and hold public office. Of particular importance is the right to pass on citizenship to one's children.

The process of acquiring citizenship requires passing an integration exam that tests knowledge of the language and society. The issue of dual citizenship is decided on an individual basis and depends on the method of obtaining citizenship and the laws of the applicant's country of origin.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal entry and further movement in the Netherlands by car. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Keep in mind that Ukrainian cars in the Netherlands must obtain Dutch licence plates by 4 March 2025: read how to re-register a vehicle here.

Find out how to get a driving licence in the Netherlands here.

How to obtain a work permit: work visa to the Netherlands

To work in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a special residence permit - a work visa. There are several main types of work visas, each of which corresponds to different professional situations and needs.

For ordinary employees, a standard work visa is provided, which requires an employment contract and an appropriate level of salary. In this case, the employer must prove that it is impossible to find a local employee or an EU citizen for the position.

Special attention is paid to highly qualified specialists. For them, there is a special category of ‘knowledge workers’ with special conditions regarding the minimum wage - from EUR 3,299 for people under 30 and from EUR 4,500 for older people. An alternative is the European Blue Card, which requires a university degree and a salary of €5,272 per month.

Specific categories include seasonal workers (up to 24 weeks of work), intra-corporate transfers, and a special ‘orientation year’ for graduates of Dutch universities. There are also special conditions for scientists and researchers.

It is important to understand that in most cases, you need to obtain both a residence and a work permit. However, some categories can apply for a single permit (GVVA), which combines both documents. The application process is usually carried out by the employer through the Immigration Department (IND), which cooperates with the employment agency to make decisions.

Emigration is a complex and multi-stage process that requires precision and knowledge of all the nuances of migration law. Entrust your business to professionals! Visit Ukraine's migration and visa lawyers will help you avoid mistakes, save time and achieve success. Contact us for a consultation today!

Remember. It is necessary to prepare for every road trip in advance, because a trip to another country requires careful planning. Read here about convenient routes from Poland to the Netherlands, travel time, what tourists need to know about the country and the top places to visit.

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