Jobs in the Netherlands for Filipinos: 3 Official Websites, Visa Rules, and How to Apply
You can search for Dutch jobs on official websites, and you do not need an agent to do it. The harder part comes after you find a job you like. Most people from outside the EU need an employer who will handle the permit.
This guide shows where to search, how the two main visa routes work, and what to check before you say yes to an offer. It is written for Filipinos, but most of it applies to any applicant from outside the EU.
3 Official Websites to Start With
- EURES is the official European job portal. Search it for Dutch vacancies by job title.
- IND Recognised Sponsors register is the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) list of employers allowed to sponsor foreign workers.
- Work in NL has information for international workers.
Use EURES to find openings. Use the IND register to check the employer. Use Work in NL to understand the rules.
The Netherlands has openings in IT, engineering, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and other skilled trades. Read each ad closely. Some employers only hire people who already have the right to work in the EU.
The Two Visa Routes You Need to Know
A Filipino who wants to work in the Netherlands needs a permit. Your employer usually applies for it, not you. Which route you get depends on the job and the pay.
Route 1: Highly Skilled Migrant
This route is faster and has no labour market test. It comes with two conditions.
- Your employer must be an IND recognised sponsor before it applies.
- Your salary must meet a minimum.
The 2026 minimums are gross monthly pay, not counting the 8% holiday allowance:
- Age 30 and older: €5,942
- Under 30: €4,357
- Reduced amount for recent graduates and orientation year holders: €3,122
The IND resets these amounts every January, so check the IND site for the current numbers before you negotiate.
Route 2: The Single Permit
The single permit (called GVVA in Dutch) joins your residence permit and work permit in one document. It covers most other jobs, including ones that pay below the highly skilled migrant minimum.
It is harder to get. Your employer must prove that no suitable candidate exists in the Netherlands or the EU. That means reporting the vacancy to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) at least five weeks ahead and recruiting hard for about three months. Many applications fail this test.
So ask early: which route will this job use? A job with a clear answer is a much better bet than one with a vague “we will see.”
How to Search for a Job Step by Step
- Pick one job title that matches your experience.
- Search it on EURES. Save every vacancy that fits.
- Check each employer on the IND register. Search by company name.
- Apply with a CV written for that job, in English unless the ad says otherwise.
- After the interview, ask in writing which permit route the employer plans to use and who handles it.
A name on the register means the company can sponsor. It does not mean the company has a job for you. The register shows company names and registration numbers, nothing about open roles.
Filipino Applicants: Check the DMW First
Philippine rules still apply when you find a job abroad on your own. Before you move forward, check the requirements of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Direct hires are generally expected to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before leaving, and a traveler without one can be stopped at the airport.
Confirm the current steps with the DMW, because they can change. If you are from another country, check what your own government requires for overseas work.
Avoid Job Scams
Applying for a job does not guarantee an offer. An offer does not guarantee permit approval. Nobody can promise either one.
Walk away if someone:
- Promises a guaranteed job or work permit
- Asks for a large sum before you have a real offer
- Will not name the employer
- Tells you to skip official steps
Check every offer yourself. Look up the company on the IND register. Email the company through the contact page on its own website to confirm the job exists.
Quick Answers
Do I need a job offer first? Yes. For both routes, the employer applies for your permit after offering you the job.
Can I apply to any Dutch job? You can apply, but not every employer hires from outside the EU. Check the ad and ask.
Is the highly skilled route only for IT? No. It depends on the salary and a recognised sponsor, not the field.
Does the IND register list open jobs? No. It only shows which companies can sponsor.
Open EURES today and search for your job title. Pick three vacancies, then look up each employer on the IND register before you write a single application.
