Want work in The Netherlands? Image: Pexels
The Netherlands reports skills shortages in a number of key areas and offers visas for skilled professionals.
Want work in The Netherlands? Image: Pexels
Over the last few years, the Netherlands has emerged as a popular country for migrants from outside of the European Union (EU).
The country’s main sectors with vacancies include information technology, management, engineering, healthcare, and logistics.
Foreigners with the above-mentioned skills may have higher chances of securing work visas in the Netherlands.
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According to recent data from the European Labour Authority (EURES), The Netherlands currently has 194,784 job open job vacancies.
With a current unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, the country is however still facing some skilled labour shortages.
While this figure is considered by the EU Commission to be very low, there are still skills scarcities in some key areas.
The Employee Insurance Agency (UWE) reports that occupations in education, industry, technology, IT, transport and logistics have for years experienced labour shortages in the Netherlands.
According to Schengenvisainfo, the 15 occupational groups that experienced the most constrained labour markets in the fourth quarter of 2022 included:
Citizens of EU or EEA countries or Switzerland do not need work visas to work in the Netherlands. If intending to stay in the country for more than four months, they must obtain a Citizen Service Number.
To obtain a Dutch work visa, foreign nationals must have an employment contract with a Dutch employer and earn at least the minimum wage set for employees aged over 23 years of age.
The current minimum wage in the Netherlands is €1995 (R 40 700) per month. In addition, the employer must demonstrate that the position could not be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.
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Many South Africans have moved over to The Netherlands in recent years after having secured jobs there.
There is a growing community of South Africans who live there permanently, enjoying high standards of living.
Numerous South African professionals have migrated in recent years, adding to SA’s skills shortage.