Highly skilled migrants and unemployment

Job search possibility extended

The Dutch government strives to keep talent in the country and has changed an important regulation concerning unemployment. The old rule was that highly skilled migrants would only be entitled to the job search period of three months if the end of contract (so the unemployment) was initiated by the employer.

The new rule is that when a highly skilled migrant becomes unemployed during the validity of his residence permit, he/she has maximally three months to find another job. This is regardless of the question who is responsible for the unemployment. Important! The job search period starts on the day the employment contract has been annulled, so not on the last day of the actual work. ​

This means that, regardless of reason, you will get 3 months to find another job as a highly skilled migrant should you become unemployed. The new rule may easen your decision to quit a job, if you really do not like it. Given the fact that you are a highly skilled migrant, you will probably have a good education and working experience. This will increase the chance to find another, better fitting job. Please be aware that your new employer will need to be (or become) a recognized sponsor for the immigration services and that the salary requirement will stay intact.

Your current employer will have to inform the IND that you will leave/have left the company. Your new employer will have to notify the IND that you have signed a contract there.

The new regulation will make it easier for you to stay in the Netherlands, even after giving up your job.