The Dutch authorities have taken steps to simplify the immigration procedure for employees coming to the Netherlands.

Simplified legalisation procedure for Indian nationals

As of September 16, 2008 the time consuming legalisation process for certifying the authenticity of documents from India has been replaced by an apostille (the legalisation of a document for international use under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention). This means that the former three levels of legalisation are no longer required. This apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs in India will suffice for the residence permit as well as registration at the municipality register in the Netherlands.

Opening of ‘Expatcenter’ Amsterdam

The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen and the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (IND) have joined together to increase the efficiency of their services for knowledge migrants in the Amsterdam Area by opening a new Expatcenter. The Expatcenter opened officially in the World Trade Centre in Amsterdam on 16 September 2008.

The Expatcenter allows the employer to start the residence permit procedure for knowledge migrants and their families while the knowledge migrant is still abroad. Additionally, it offers a one-stop services package to knowledge migrants and their family members enabling them to collect their residence permits and register with their municipality (GBA) at one appointment. Shortly after registering, applicants will receive a public service number (BSN).

To take advantage of these services, employees or the company they work for must be based in Amsterdam or Amstelveen. Also, the employer must be registered at the IND knowledge migrant desk. (www.expatloket.nl/)

Opening of  ‘Expatdesk’ Rotterdam

The Expatdesk Rotterdam, opened on 9 October in the WTC Rotterdam, will carry out a similar function as the Expatcenter Amsterdam for knowledge migrants living in Rotterdam and the surrounding area. The Expatdesk Rotterdam is currently in a pilot phase. (/www.rotterdam.nl/expatdesk)

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