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The Government
Their laws and regulations
The Netherlands have been a kingdom ever since the French emperor Napoleon met his "Waterloo". The kingship role is currently filled by a queen, Beatrix. Since the introduction of the constitution in 1848, the position of king has been a symbolic function.
The actual policies are drawn up by a government, with a Prime Minister at its head, controlled by a democratically elected parliament. The Netherlands excels in the amount of political parties that are involved in policy making. It does not rarely happen that at a general election for the Second Chamber (the more important chamber of parliament), the electorate can vote for over thirty different parties.
The system of proportional representation that is used in a general election normally causes some fifteen political parties to be represented in the Second Chamber. No party can command a majority of votes in the Second Chamber. Therefore, a government that does want to have the support of a majority, needs to be formed with representatives from several political parties.
The country is organized into several administrative provinces, having a few very specific tasks, mainly to do with infrastructure. Within these provinces, towns and villages also constitute their own administrative units (boroughs) predominantly occupied with executive duties. The governing bodies of the provinces and the boroughs are also formed on the basis of a general election.
| Registering in The Netherlands |
When you want to register in this country, obtain a residence permit and work permit you must take certain steps and be aware of the regulations.
First step - Registration
EU/EEA citizens must register with their local Foreign Police registration office (Vreemdelingenpolitie) within 8 days of arrival. If you are intending to look for work (and are without a work contract) and want to take advantage of the free movement of labour within the European Union then you must simply present your passport at the Foreign Police Registration Office.
With a (non temporary) work contract, you must present your passport, the contract, two non-machine passport type photographs and the appropriate fee. In certain cases those with temporary contracts will have to report back for renewal, and another fee may be payable. (The permit issued on proof of acceptable work contracts will more than likely be a magnetic card with your photograph affixed).
Second step - SOFI Number
If you are a first time jobseeker in the Netherlands you will need to obtain a SOFI number (Social Welfare/Taxation) from the local Tax Office (Belastingdienst). You will need to take your passport together with the police permit from Step 1. If you have worked previously in the Netherlands the old SOFI Number may suffice.
Third step - Residence permit
If you intend to look for work for more than 3 months then you must apply for a residence permit (Verblijfsvergunning). This can be obtained from the Town Hall or community office - "Stadhuis" or "Gemeente". You can ask the Police at Step 1 if in doubt about the location and office hours of items 2 and 3. You will need to present your passport, police permit, SOFI number, two photographs, a full version of your birth certificate, and in some cities (ie Amsterdam) proof from your landlord that you have a permanent address.
If you want to renew your residence permit, you must do it at least with 4 weeks before the expiration date of the current one. Usually the Foreign Police sends an application form to the the home address of the resident and if the application is granted then the new residence permit can be picked up in 4 weeks from the Foreign Police. If this is not happening 6 weeks before the expiration then is better to check with the Foreign police because you are the only one responsible to apply within the legal term for the new residence permit. It is important to know that if the application is not sent within the legal term the authorities have the right of expulsion and the application has again to be made in the country of origin. The residence permit is granted for maximum 1 year and has to be renewed every year. After 5 consecutive years of residence is possible to apply for the Dutch citizenship.
The passport must be valid at least 13 months from the start of the validity of the residence permit, otherwise the period of the validity of the residence permit will be smaller than one year. (maximum passport validity minus two months) If during the staying in Netherlands the validity of the passport approach this delicate limit is better to exchange it or prolong its validity at the Embassy of the country of origin in Netherlands.
Local Authorities are much more independent of Central Government than may be the case in your country so allow for variations in procedures. Don't forget to deregister with the Police and Town Hall when you are leaving the country permanently!
A non-EU citizen
Citizens of the non-EU countries need a work permit. Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs in The Hague through the District Labor Bureau. An application must be made by the employer at least 6 weeks before the beginning of employment. The employer have to show that the vacancy cannot be filled by someone from the registered work force. (being Dutch nationals or EU and EEA nationals or legal immigrants who are allowed to work) And must provide proof of having carried out an extensive search for someone from registered work force to fill the vacancy during a period of at least five weeks. It is nearly impossible to get a work permit for unskilled labor or non executive positions.
The work permit is given usually for a period of maximum one year. After one year, the work permit can be extended for a period of three and a half years. The application to renew the work permit must be made at least 5 weeks before the expiration of the current one. The work permit is granted to the company and is valid only for the specified position. Changing the employer will make necessary another work permit application from the new employer. In this case there will be not need for the MVV visa and the application can take up to 6 weeks. However the work permit will be granted only for the period covered by the current residence permit.
For renewal, the company must prove that the vacancy cannot be filled by a EU national. Of course there are good chances to succeed in such an application if the procedure is prepared with care by the Human Resources Department of that company.
After working continuously for three years with the same work-permit, there will be no need anymore for a work permit and jobs can be changed freely.
Spouses
The spouses of non-EU citizens can join their wife/husband if their spouse have already obtained a residence permit and their income and accommodation can support both persons. The spouse application for the MVV visa will be done in the country of origin. To prove that the spouse has a relation with the working spouse in the Netherlands, the spouse must go to the Dutch embassy in the country of origin and show the marriage certificate and other relevant information.
Rights of the spouse
The spouse will not have the right to work unless the employer will apply for a work permit. Only after the working spouse has been working in Netherlands for three years continuously with a work permit will both partners get a residence permit with which they can freely enter the labor market.
A spouse will usually enter a free integration program offered by the government. Language training and an orientation program with the help of qualified advisors is offered for free but also put certain demands on the person who follows this program. One important thing to know is that while this program is very useful it is also compulsory to follow, so if you don't agree to do it, there are pressures on you and the working spouse to follow it!
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
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