Practical information for employers

Recognised refugees (statushouders) have official recognition as refugees from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), usually with a five-year residence permit. They have the same rights and responsibilities as Dutch job seekers.

Asylum seekers do not yet have a residence permit and are not allowed to work during their first six months in the Netherlands. After this period, they may work under certain conditions with a work permit (TWV). They can do voluntary work from the moment they arrive, with a volunteer declaration. Different rules apply to Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Employers can apply for a TWV directly and free of charge through UWV. The conditions are that the applicant is 18 years or older, the asylum application has been ongoing for at least six months, and the applicant has a valid W-document.

It can take up to five weeks for UWV to process the application. No TWV is required for recognised refugees or volunteers.

On 29 November 2023, the Council of State ruled that the previous 24-week limit on the number of weeks asylum seekers could work was inconsistent with European regulations.

Since then, asylum seekers have been allowed to work without a limit as long as they are legally residing in the Netherlands, after six months from the start of their asylum procedure. Employers with an existing 24-week work permit can apply for a new one through UWV.