Citizeo Expand your global options
Pathway

Netherlands Seasonal Work Residence Permit

Netherlands Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you are not an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you may qualify to work in Dutch farming or horticulture for up to 24 weeks. This seasonal permit combines permission to live and work in the Netherlands. It is a type of GVVA, the Dutch single permit.

Job offer required?
Yes, with a Dutch employer in agriculture or horticulture for no more than 24 weeks
Hiring checks
The employer must first seek workers in the Netherlands and EU/EEA and register the vacancy
Pay and housing
Normal agreed pay, the current immigration income requirement, and proper housing

Summary

The Netherlands’ seasonal-work route covers a defined period of qualifying work, usually in agriculture or horticulture, with the employer supporting the required combined permit. The route is limited to at most 24 weeks. It is not permission for a year-round job or unrestricted work for other employers.

A specific seasonal job anchors the Dutch application
  1. Confirm the job fits The offer must be for qualifying temporary agriculture or horticulture work within the permitted duration.
  2. Employer prepares the application Complete the required labor-market search, vacancy registration, salary, housing, and business checks.
  3. Obtain the residence and work documents The combined permit and supplementary document identify the authorized employer and work conditions.

The seasonal permit is temporary and tied to the approved work. A job discussion does not authorize work, and another employer or activity requires the appropriate new authorization.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

EEA means the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The applicant must have a seasonal job in agriculture or horticulture for no more than 24 weeks. The work must be for a Dutch company or organization, or the Dutch branch of a foreign company.

Other requirements include:

From 1 July through 31 December 2026, IND lists €2,337 gross SV salary per month without holiday allowance as the general paid-employment and seasonal-work income amount. The live table should be checked before filing.

More about this route

A Dutch employer must offer the job and sponsor the application. IND always asks UWV for labor-market advice.

What This Route Allows

The GVVA allows residence and the specific seasonal work named in the additional document for up to 24 weeks. Employer recognition by IND is optional, not mandatory.

The worker receives a residence card and supplementary work document. Those documents identify the authorized employer and work conditions. The employer receives a copy of the supplementary document.

What This Route Is Not

It is not a general farm-work visa longer than 24 weeks, a year-round job permit, or an open work permit. The worker cannot use it for another employer or different work unless new authorization is obtained.

Seasonal work is a temporary residence purpose. It does not count like a non-temporary work route for all permanent-residence purposes and does not itself guarantee a later Dutch permit. A discussion with an employer is not enough; an actual qualifying offer is needed.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that the job is truly temporary agriculture or horticulture and no longer than 24 weeks.
  2. Have the employer complete the Netherlands/EU labor search and UWV vacancy registration.
  3. Check the current salary, collective agreement, housing, and company registration.
  4. Prepare evidence that the applicant has not been illegally resident in the Netherlands during the previous 3 years.
  5. Apply for the GVVA and wait for the residence card and supplementary document before starting work.

Stay up to date on this pathway

Get an email when something important changes.

No account needed. Unsubscribe anytime.

Similar seasonal work pathways in other destinations.

Sources