Working in the Netherlands as a refugee

Go to:

• Who are we?
• What requirements are needed?
• Special permit for Ukraine
• Find a job in the Netherlands
• Dutch language courses
• Training courses in English

This is Yacht

For over 20 years Yacht has been a leading recruitment agency for highly skilled professionals. We are the connecting force between ambitious organizations and professionals and help refugees to find advanced work opportunities in the Netherlands.

Our focus is on: Finance, IT, Engineering, Marketing & Communications, Human Resource Management, Legal, Supply Chain Management. At Yacht you will find challenging interim-assignments and permanent jobs that match your ambitions. We provide personal coaching and have a community full of experts who are ready to help you grow further during your time here.  

Requirements for working in the Netherlands

As an refugee you’re allowed to work in the Netherlands for 24 weeks over a period of 52 weeks. Your asylum application must be pending for at least 6 months. Furthermore you need an established employment permit (a TWV in Dutch). Consult the Dutch Government website for more information. In order to function properly in any of our jobs you must be able to speak English of Dutch fluently.

Special permit for Ukraine

The EU has activated a 'Temporary Protection Directive'. This means that as an Ukrainian refugee you get a document from the IND stating that you’ll receive a residence permit, housing and a work permit. These permits are valid until at least April 2023. 

Since not every Ukrainian refugee has received this document yet, until the 30th of May 2022, you don’t need an employment permit to work in the Netherlands. This applies to anyone who can show a Ukrainian passport or identity card. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to so-called third country nationals. After this date, every new Ukrainian refugee must possess the IND-document to apply for a job. For all the requirements, visit the IND website.

Go to the IND website

We are here to help

We want you to find a job that matches your skills, preferences and ambitions. Yacht offers interim-assignment and permanent jobs for highly skilled professionals. If you are looking for a short term option our partners Tempo-Team and Randstad are here to help. Together we are affiliated with employers all over the country. 

Dutch language courses

We offer Dutch language courses, all free of charge. Choose one of the courses from our “All You Can Learn” programme and start right away. You can choose between the following courses:

• E-learning - Dutch for non natives: this course helps you make your first steps in learning Dutch. Expand your vocabulary and learn to make simple phrases. Are you interested? The e-learning is facilitated by Online Academy, and can be requested by visiting our portal;
• Self study programme - Dutch for non natives: educational institutions LOI and NTI offer a Dutch language programme which you can follow in your own time;
• Intensive (virtual) classroom programme: via our portal, STE languages and NTI offer intensive Dutch programmes for non-native speakers. You can choose to follow these courses in a classroom with others, in virtual small groups or one-on-one with an online trainer. The latter is very suitable for higher educated people.

Training courses in English

• Every Goodhabitz course can also be followed in English or Polish. Goodhabitz offers training courses in Microsoft Excel but also in sleeping well, mindfulness, dealing with stress and much more!
• Besides, we offer multiple Online Academy training courses in English. By example: getting ready for your job interview, preparing for a pitch, computer programming, big data and Lean and Prince. You can find them in our education portal.