Student visa routes in Kingdom of the Netherlands
Thinking about Kingdom of the Netherlands as a place to work? Below are the 2 Kingdom of the Netherlands visa routes that most commonly fit students, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: international student, graduate student, postgraduate, undergraduate.
What this means for students
Of the 2 Kingdom of the Netherlands routes that commonly fit students, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 1 does not, and 0 can lead to permanent residence. Students are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Kingdom of the Netherlands overall is the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant); it is not specific to students but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Typical figures — Orientation year (Zoekjaar)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
€3,122/mo
Orientation Year search — reduced rate
Verified 1 January 2026 · IND — Highly Skilled Migrant →
How long it takes
2 weeks – 3 months
IND legal decision period is 90 days; common 2–6 week outcomes for complete applications.
Verified 1 June 2026 · IND — Orientation year →
Routes that fit students
Orientation year (Zoekjaar)
Free 1-year permit to live and work in the Netherlands while you look for a job — open to recent graduates of Dutch universities or top-ranked global universities. No job offer needed to apply.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · 1 year, non-renewable as Zoekjaar.
Dutch Student residence permit
Study residence for international students enrolled at Dutch higher-education institutions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Programme length.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation year (Zoekjaar) | €3,122/mo | 2 weeks – 3 months | No |
| Dutch Student residence permit | — | 2 weeks – 2 months | No |
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 1 January 2026In force 1 January 2026
Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds
IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) →
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit students moving to Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
Kingdom of the Netherlands has 2 routes that commonly fit students: Orientation year (Zoekjaar), Dutch Student residence permit. The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do students need a job offer to move to Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
Not always. 1 of the 2 matched Kingdom of the Netherlands routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Orientation year (Zoekjaar)), while 1 needs a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can students settle permanently in Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
None of the routes that most closely fit students here are flagged as leading directly to permanent residence — they are temporary or transitional. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later; see all Kingdom of the Netherlands routes for the options.
What salary do students need for the Orientation year (Zoekjaar) in Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
The Orientation Year search — reduced rate floor is €3,122/mo, effective 1 January 2026 (IND — Highly Skilled Migrant). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the Orientation year (Zoekjaar) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 3 months (IND — Orientation year, verified 1 June 2026).