IND extends job search period for work permit holders in the Netherlands

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has extended the job search window for permit holders who have become unemployed in the Netherlands. Internationals with a highly skilled migrant visa or European Blue Card now have six months to find a new job instead of three months.

Search period doubles for expat job seekers in the Netherlands

As of May 22, 2026, the IND has extended the job-search period for internationals who have lost their jobs in the Netherlands from three months to six months, the organisation announced in a newsletter. This extension only applies to workers who have held their work permits for two years or longer.

Highly skilled migrants, single-permit holders, EU Blue Card holders and foreign researchers living in the Netherlands have the most to gain from the new search window, as they now have double the length of time to find a new role before the IND withdraws their residency, as long as it falls within the period that their residence permit is valid.

Other changes to Dutch work permits

The extension is part of a number of changes included in the EU Directive 2024/1233 on single permits (GVVA). The IND is also allowed to extend the legal decision period of 90 days for first-time work permit applications by 30 days.

Other changes include a new processing period of 45 days for foreign workers who change employers (30 days for EU Blue Card holders) and a possible extension of a work permit if a worker has not had the full six months to search for a job within the permit’s validity period.