Once you have entered the Netherlands on a tourist visa it is NOT possible to change your status as a tourist and to obtain a Residence Permit. All international guests must report to a police station (the Aliens Department) within 8 days of arrival in the Netherlands
Below is a brief guide to the various types of visa available for the Netherlands. For a more complete and comprehensive guide, please click here. www.ind.nl
EU citizens
People from another EU country do not need a work permit to be able to work in the Netherlands. This includes people from a European Economic Area country.
EU/EER countries are: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Cyprus, Malta (allowed to work)
New EU countries since 2004 are: Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Czech and Slovakia. (allowed to work since 1 May 2007). There are however restrictions on citizens from Bulgaria and Romania working in the Netherlands. Please contact the IND website for more information (www.ind.nl)
Non-EU citizens
There are only two ways for a non-EU citizen to get a work permit:
The first way is to apply directly to companies. If the company would like
to hire you, then they will start the permit process for you. There is however
a long process involved. First, the company has to prove that it is in their
best interest to hire you above all other Dutch and EU candidates. Next, they
also have to prove that the job has been advertised for at least six weeks.
They also need to confirm that they have interviewed Dutch and EU candidates
but still think that you were the best person for the job. If you obtain a work
permit through a company, this work permit is bound to the company. If you stop
working for that company, the permit will no longer be valid.
The second way of getting a work permit is to have a Dutch or EU partner. Your
partner must be living and working in the Netherlands and be willing to sponsor
you. i.e. they agree to be financially responsible for you while you are looking
for a job or if you happen to lose one. The two of you must prove that you are
in a relationship and that you live together. If the relationship should end
or one of you should move out, the permit will no longer be valid.
For more information, please log onto http://english.ind.nl