The Dutch Orientation Year (Zoekjaar): A Practical Guide for International Graduates
Remember the time you were applying to IND to collect your student residence permit as a non-EU/EEA citizen? Ah, well, time indeed flies. We are going to do it again, but in a slightly different format.
After you’ve successfully completed your degree in the Netherlands, you, as a non-EU/EEA graduate, are eligible to get a full year of exploring your postgraduation options. You can do so through the Orientation Year permit. During this year, you can look for a job, work for almost any employer, complete an internship, work as a freelancer or even start your own company.
We advise you to add the IND Orientation Year page to your favourites in case this sounds exactly like something you could/would like to do.
First things first: WHO actually needs a zoekjaar?
The orientation year is only relevant for people who do not have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality.
Who is eligible for an Orientation Year?
You may qualify if you have completed an accredited bachelor's/master’s degree at a Dutch higher education institution, or a doctoral programme. If you carried out research in the Netherlands, you might be eligible too. However, make sure to confirm it by visiting the IND website.
What if you graduated from a university outside the Netherlands?
There is also a route for you to do it from abroad, but the conditions are stricter. We’ve covered this step on our page before.
What does the Orientation Year allow you to do?
It is valid for one year only and cannot be extended, and there are various directions you can take:
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work full-time or part-time;
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complete an internship;
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work as a freelancer or self-employed person;
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start your own business;
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or continue searching for the job that could eventually qualify you for a longer-term residence permit
The biggest advantage you don’t want to miss!
When searching for a long-term job, former orientation-year candidates can qualify as highly-skilled migrants for a much lower salary threshold.
For 2026, the reduced highly skilled migrant salary criterion is: €3,122 gross per month, excluding holiday allowance.
For comparison, the regular 2026 thresholds are €4,357 for highly skilled migrants under 30 and €5,942 for those aged 30 or above.
Check the current IND salary requirements
Finding a job during your Orientation Year
Having a zoekjaar permit removes an important immigration barrier, but it does not automatically land you a job or give you a 12-month vacation period. Our biggest tip is to actively look for the right work opportunity for you.
For a variety of different job portals and employers in the Leiden region, you can take a look at our Finding a Job page.
https://www.leideninternationalcentre.nl/work-study/work-in-leiden/finding-a-job
Last but not least, learning Dutch can be a great next step if you are planning to stay in the Netherlands after your Orientation Year comes to an end. We recommend you to check our Dutch Language page to get some inspiration.
We wish you lots of success in your journey!
*Information updated September 2026. Dutch immigration fees, salary thresholds and procedures can change. Always verify your individual situation with the IND before applying.*