Holland is really a lovely country, with its tolerant people. I had spent a lovely month somewhere near to Leiden. Everywhere is green and full of water canals... You might easily feel as if you are dreaming, if you it is your first time in this country. Everybody speaks English and welcomes you.
Work in Holland
However, I have noticed and heard that Dutch economy is not that good nowadays. I see many Dutch immigrants in Ireland, coming to find a job. It is true that it is not easy to find a job and accomodate in Holland even for Dutch people. But again this depends always on individual circumstances.
But I remember that even looking for some language jobs, some recruitment agencies were asking if I have right to work in Holland and when I said I am a non-EU, they were telling me that having a work permit is too difficult in Holland... But anyway, you need links for jobs in Holland? As I dont especially know a special site, just type "jobs in Holland" at google! (See the google search bar at the bottom of this page)
But, Dutch government developed a new policy allowing skilled immigrants to work. Simply, once you have got a job offer with a salary of more than 32.000 euro (28.000 euro if you are going to work in a research institute). If the contract if permanent, they give you a 5 year residence at the end of which you apply for citizenship, if you are able to speak Dutch by that time.
Work in Holland
However, I have noticed and heard that Dutch economy is not that good nowadays. I see many Dutch immigrants in Ireland, coming to find a job. It is true that it is not easy to find a job and accomodate in Holland even for Dutch people. But again this depends always on individual circumstances.
But I remember that even looking for some language jobs, some recruitment agencies were asking if I have right to work in Holland and when I said I am a non-EU, they were telling me that having a work permit is too difficult in Holland... But anyway, you need links for jobs in Holland? As I dont especially know a special site, just type "jobs in Holland" at google! (See the google search bar at the bottom of this page)
But, Dutch government developed a new policy allowing skilled immigrants to work. Simply, once you have got a job offer with a salary of more than 32.000 euro (28.000 euro if you are going to work in a research institute). If the contract if permanent, they give you a 5 year residence at the end of which you apply for citizenship, if you are able to speak Dutch by that time.
Dutch Policy for highly skilled migrants
As of 1 October 2004 the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will gradually introduce a policy of one helpdesk, one procedure and one permit for highly skilled migrants.
An important condition for admission as a highly skilled migrant is that the employer has concluded an agreement with the IND. First of all, the IND will conclude agreements with employers with whom the IND already concluded covenants for the accelerated procedure for a temporary entry permit (MVV procedure). Requests from other companies and institutions to conclude an agreement with the IND will be dealt with as of 1 January 2005.
A highly skilled migrant is a migrant coming to the Netherlands for the purpose of employment, earning a minimum gross income of 45,000 euro, or 32,600 euro if the highly skilled migrant is under the age of 30. The income criterion will not apply if the person in question will be employed as a doctoral candidate by an educational or research institute, or to postgraduates and university lecturers under the age of 30.
Employers wishing to employ a highly skilled migrant are no longer required to have a work permit and hence the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has sole responsibility for the implementation of the admission procedure to the Netherlands and the Dutch labour market.
Permits for highly skilled migrants are granted for the duration of five years if migrants are or will be holders of employment contracts for an indefinite period. Holders of employment contracts for a definite period are granted permits for the duration of their contract, with a maximum of five years. Companies and institutions have a duty to comply with certain obligations, i.e. to submit complete applications, to report relevant changes and to provide for the employee. The government shall make every effort to deal with these applications as soon as possible, but within two weeks at the latest.
Undergraduate students are not considered to be highly skilled migrants. They will be granted residence permits for the duration of one year, subject to annual renewal. For the admission of undergraduates, educational institutes may continue to apply the accelerated MVV procedure. After graduation, students will be granted a three-month grace period in which to find employment as a highly skilled migrant.
*from http://www.ind.nl/EN
Study in Holland
In terms of studying, Holland is a good destination; I think Dutch education is one of the best in Europe. Such a small country have lots of universities and research institutes. Moreover, you can also find low tuition fees there, but one you are non-EU tuition fees are doubles in some places. But again, they are not that high, all depending on the type of courses which range from 2000 euro to 20.000 euro. The best place to start looking for list of courses is www.nuffic.nl : you will find everything there, so I shouldnt duplicate... Such a wonderful and helpful website; very worthy to check.
