Orientation year guide in the Netherlands (2026)

What is the Orientation Year (Zoekjaar)?

Graduating in the Netherlands or at a top university abroad opens the door to many opportunities.

Almost 26% of international graduates stay in the Netherlands 5 years after graduation.

If you want to stay in the Netherlands after your studies, the Orientation Year, also known as the Zoekjaar, gives you the chance to explore it.

The Orientation Year is a one-year residence permit that lets recent graduates and researchers live in the Netherlands while they look for work. It gives you the freedom to take any job, switch roles, or start your own business without needing a sponsor.

Many international students choose this permit because it gives them time to settle in, understand the job market, and plan their future here.

You can learn more in detail about the permit on the official IND site.

In this guide, you will learn:

• Who can apply for the Orientation Year in 2026
• How to submit your application
• What documents you need
• Your work rights
• How health insurance works during the permit
• What to do if you are not eligible for Dutch basic insurance
• What to expect after the Orientation Year
• How to avoid common problems

How the Orientation Year works

If you’ve recently finished your studies and want to start your career in the Netherlands, the Orientation Year gives you the flexibility to work, explore, and prepare your next steps.

• Apply within three years of graduating
• Use the permit to work freely for twelve months
• Register with your municipality and get your BSN
• Stay insured throughout your year
• Switch to another residence permit before your zoekjaar ends

The Orientation Year is designed to give international graduates time and freedom to build their careers in the Netherlands. During this year, you can work for any employer, freelance, or even start your own business - all without needing a work permit. If you’re exploring long-term options, this public register lists recognized sponsors in the Netherlands.

You can only apply for the Orientation Year once, and you must do so within three years of completing your studies or research. Make sure you stay in line with Dutch health insurance rules; whether you’re required to take out Dutch insurance depends on your work situation and residency status.

This permit gives you the space to:

1. Explore the Dutch job market
2. Build experience
3. Prepare for your next long-term residence permit

For more details, you can always check with the government agency for education, Nuffic/Study in NL.

Who can apply for the Orientation Year?

To apply for the Orientation Year, everyone must meet the general Dutch immigration requirements. The official list is available here, but in short, you must have:

• A valid passport or travel document
• No risk to public order or national security
• A tuberculosis (TB) test, if required (some nationalities are exempt)

After that, you must fall into one of the eligible categories below.

Graduates from Dutch universities

You qualify if you completed an accredited:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• PhD
• Post-master's degree

Important:

Exchange semesters, short programs, and non-accredited courses do not qualify.

Graduates from top 200 universities abroad

If you studied outside the Netherlands, you can still qualify if your university was in the global top 200 in the year you graduated.

How to know if you qualify

Your university must appear in the top 200 in at least two of these three global rankings:

1. Times Higher Education (THE)
   • General: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking
   • By subject: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject
2. QS World University Rankings (QS)
   • General: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings
   • By subject: https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings
3. Shanghai Ranking (ARWU)
   • General: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2024
   • By subject: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2024

Additional rules for eligibility

To count as a top 200 graduate, your degree must meet all of these criteria:

• Your university appears in the general top 200 or the top 200 for your subject, in at least two out of the three rankings.
• The ranking must apply to the exact year you graduated.
• If you rely on a subject ranking, it must match your actual field of study or research.

Diploma evaluation

Before you can proceed, Nuffic/IDW will evaluate your diploma.

You can find instructions and required documents here.

Researchers and PhD graduates

You can apply if you have:

• Completed a scientific research appointment, or
• Finished a PhD (Dutch or international)

You must provide proof of your research period or your doctoral completion.

Erasmus Mundus and other joint degrees

Joint or multi-country degrees including Erasmus Mundus programmes are eligible as long as the awarding institutions are officially recognized.

When you are not eligible

These do not meet the criteria for the Orientation Year:

• Short courses
• Language programs
• Exchange semesters
• Non-accredited programs
• Degrees completed more than three years ago
• Degrees that are not bachelor’s level or higher

How to apply for the Orientation Year

Documents you need

You will need a valid passport, your diploma or graduation statement, and any required translations. You must also provide a Dutch address, even if it is temporary.

Application cost

The IND charges a fee, usually around two hundred euros.

Processing time

Most applications are processed within two to four weeks. Applying early reduces the risk of gaps between permits.

Apply while your student permit is valid

Submitting your application before your student permit expires allows you to stay in the Netherlands while you wait for the decision.

If your permit is about to expire

If your permit ends before you apply, you may need to submit your application from abroad. Some students return home temporarily and re enter the Netherlands once their Orientation Year is approved.

Avoiding gaps

Gaps can affect your BRP registration, your BSN status, and your insurance. Preparing your documents early helps you submit on time.

What you can do during your Orientation Year

Work freely in the Netherlands

You have full access to the Dutch labor market. You can:

• Work for any employer
• Freelance or take short projects
• Do internships or traineeships
• Start your own business

There is no salary threshold during the Orientation Year.

For job searching, check out:

• Welcome to NL job dashboard
• Academic Transfer (research & university jobs)

Pursue internships and volunteering

You may take part in internships, traineeships, or volunteer work without restrictions.

Explore entrepreneurship

You can register a company or work independently. Many graduates use this year to test ideas, build a portfolio, or try freelancing before switching to a long-term residence permit.

Bring family members

Family members can accompany you if they qualify for their own residence permits.

Their work rights depend on the type of residence permit they hold.

You can find some useful resources about life in the Netherlands on the page of the official government here.

Health insurance during the Orientation Year

Health insurance requirements during the Orientation Year depend on your work situation and whether you are officially considered a resident in the Netherlands.

If you are not working in your Orientation Year (most common)

Many graduates spend the first months of their zoekjaar job-searching, settling in, or waiting for their BSN. During this period, you often do not qualify for Dutch basic health insurance because:

• you don’t yet have a BSN
• you’re not registered in the BRP
• you are not working for a Dutch employer

In this phase, you’ll need private or expat health insurance.

Feather can help bridge this gap: our expat insurance is designed for internationals who haven’t completed registration yet. It works even without a BSN, without a permanent address, and while you’re still finding your footing in the Netherlands. Many Orientation Year graduates use this coverage until they start working or become eligible for Dutch basic insurance.

When Dutch basic health insurance is required

You must take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) once you:

• start working for a Dutch employer, or
• are considered a resident of the Netherlands.

From the moment you become eligible, you have four months to sign up.

If you do not register in time, the CAK may send reminder letters and potentially fines

Once you get a job: Switching to Dutch basic insurance

Once you meet the conditions for Dutch basic insurance, you must switch to a Dutch provider. It is important to stay covered until your basic policy starts. Feather can help you upgrade easily when you become eligible.

How housing may affect your health insurance eligibility

Losing your address

Your BRP registration is directly linked to your eligibility for Dutch basic health insurance. If you lose your housing and the municipality de registers you, your BRP record becomes inactive. This can affect whether you qualify for basic insurance or whether an insurer accepts your application. Keeping proof of where you are staying helps prevent issues while you look for a new home.

Using a correspondence address

If you are between homes, you can use a correspondence address, also known as a briefadres. This keeps your BRP registration active, which protects your BSN and your eligibility for health insurance. It also ensures you continue to receive important letters about your permit or insurance.

What to do after the Orientation Year

Your Orientation Year is a stepping stone toward a longer-term stay in the Netherlands. Before your zoekjaar ends, you’ll need to move to a residence permit that fits your job, business plans, or career direction. Below are the most common options graduates choose after their year.

• Highly Skilled Migrant permit
  • This is the most common next step. Graduates who held an Orientation Year benefit from a lower salary threshold, making it easier for employers to hire you under this scheme.
• Start-up or self-employed permits
  • Ideal if you developed or validated a business idea during your Orientation Year.
    • The Start-up visa requires working with an approved facilitator who supports your business development.
    • The Self-employed permit requires a business plan and meeting the criteria for entrepreneurship.
• Regular employment permits
  • If your job doesn’t meet the Highly Skilled Migrant criteria, your employer may still be able to sponsor you under a regular work-based residence permit, which follows different rules and salary thresholds.
• Permanent residence
  • Time spent on the Orientation Year does not count toward permanent residency. Only years spent on long-term residence permits will count, so this becomes relevant later in your journey.

Note: You can only use the Orientation Year once in your lifetime. After completing it, you cannot apply for another zoekjaar.

Common questions and edge cases

Can I work remotely for a foreign employer?

Yes. The Orientation Year gives you full freedom to work. Depending on your situation, remote work may affect your taxes or insurance eligibility, so it can help to check your specific case.

Can I leave the Netherlands during my Orientation Year?

Yes. Short trips are allowed. You must keep an active Dutch address, as this keeps your BRP registration stable.

What if I lose my housing?

The municipality may de register you if you do not have a valid address. A correspondence address can help keep your BRP active while you look for a new place.

Can I start a business?

Yes. You can freelance or start a company. Many graduates later switch to start up or self employed permits.

What if I get CAK letters?

These letters mean the authorities believe you should have Dutch basic insurance. If you were not yet eligible at the time, it is helpful to contact the CAK to clarify your situation.

What if my BSN becomes inactive?

Updating your BRP registration or using a correspondence address can help reactivate it.

How Feather can help

Feather supports you throughout your Orientation Year. If you are not yet eligible for Dutch basic insurance, you can use Feather’s expat insurance, which works even if you do not have a BSN or a permanent address.

Once you start working or become a resident, Feather can help you upgrade to Dutch basic insurance. Everything is handled online, and the support team is experienced in helping graduates through each step.

Conclusion and next steps

The Orientation Year gives you a flexible and supportive path to start your career in the Netherlands. Apply within the three year window, stay insured throughout your transition, and keep your registration details updated. With the right preparation and the right insurance, your Orientation Year can be a strong beginning to your future in the Netherlands.