Many students appear to be unaware that upon completion of their HBO or university study, they are entitled to a residence permit with the restriction “search year” (“zoekjaar”).

During this search year, graduates may work as self-employed or as an employee. After the search year, they may obtain a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant with a relatively low income.

The residence permit for a search year is granted only once and cannot be extended. If graduates fail to find a job as a highly skilled migrant within the search year, they might be eligible for a different residence permit.

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