As a foreign student in the Netherlands, you can work, but various rules apply.

Part-time job

If you, as a foreign student, are interested in a part-time job, the same rules apply as for foreign workers. For European students, there is free movement of workers, which means they are allowed to work in the Netherlands. For non-European students, a note 'Labor is freely permitted' or a work permit is required. This work permit can be applied for by your employer at the UWV. The procedure takes approximately 5 weeks.

However, there are some restrictions for non-European students:

• You are only allowed to do seasonal work in the months of June, July, and August
• You work all year, part-time but never more than 10 hours per week

For residents of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, these restrictions do not apply. They are allowed to work full-time, just like Dutch students.
 

Internship

In some situations, a work permit (TWV) is required:

Studying abroad? Then sometimes a TWV is needed

If the intern comes from abroad to do an internship, the employer may need to apply for a work permit for the intern. Interns with a passport from one of the EEA countries or Switzerland are allowed to work freely in the Netherlands.

Interns with another nationality need a TWV or GVVA.
• Is the internship shorter than three months? Then the employer applies for a TWV at the UWV.
• Is the internship longer? Then the employer applies for a GVVA at the IND. GVVA stands for: combined residence and work permit.

Studying in the Netherlands? Then no TWV needed

Is the intern studying in the Netherlands? And is the internship relevant to that study? Then the employer does not need to apply for a TWV for the intern. That student already has a residence permit in connection with their studies. Concrete agreements must be made with the student and the respective educational institution. These agreements are recorded in an internship agreement between employers, intern, and the educational institution. The Inspectorate SZW may ask the employer for the agreement.