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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions. If you have another question, please feel free to contact us.
Employer questions
What is a recognised sponsor?
A recognized sponsor is a person or an organization that has an interest in a foreign national’s stay in the Netherlands. For example, the employer of a knowledge migrant. The sponsor has certain duties of care to the foreign national. Recognition as a sponsor also offers benefits to employers who are more likely to bring knowledge migrants or researchers to the Netherlands.
At Welcome Center Food Valley, we verify that you as an employer meet the requirements for recognition as a sponsor. Furthermore, we explain the additional responsibilities you will have as a recognized referent and what the benefits are and we will apply for recognition as a referent for you.
Page: Becoming a recognised sponsor Link: Apply for recognition as sponsor | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
How can I apply for a work permit?
Applying for a separate work permit – or work permit, as it is officially called – is not necessary for a knowledge migrant or researcher. Depending on the country of origin, applying for a visa may be necessary.
At Welcome Center Food Valley, we review what documents are and are not required and can take care of the application for you. We also accompany the expat on his arrival in the Netherlands.
Page: Hiring highly skilled migrants Link: Werkvergunning aanvragen | UWV | Werkgevers [NL]
Link: Hoe vraag ik een visum voor Nederland aan? | Rijksoverheid.nl [NL]
TWV = 'tewerkstellingsvergunning' (work permit) GVVA = 'Gecombineerde Vergunning voor Verblijf en Arbeid' (Combined Permit for Residence and Employment) UWV = 'Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen' (Employee Insurance Administration)
How do I become a recognized sponsor?
Apply for recognition as a sponsor through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). The IND maintains a public register of recognized sponsors.
To become a recognized sponsor, employers must meet a number of conditions. At Welcome Center Food Valley, we verify that you meet these requirements. Furthermore, we explain the additional responsibilities and benefits you will receive as a recognized sponsor and we will apply for recognition as a sponsor for you.
Page: Becoming a recognised sponsor Link: Apply for recognition as sponsor | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
Can my employee's family members also come here?
Under certain conditions, the partner and/or children can also come to the Netherlands. For this, each family member needs a residence permit.
At Welcome Center Food Valley we check if the family members of the knowledge migrant or researcher meet the conditions to come to the Netherlands . Furthermore, we can help the primary resident apply for a residence permit for each family member.
We have our own in-house desk for the IND, allowing you to complete several formalities at once with one appointment.
Page: In-house desks Link: Residence permits | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
Why are there costs associated with your services?
Welcome Center Food Valley is a financially independent foundation and receives no grants or funds from third parties.
Page: The foundation
Can you apply for recognition as sponsor for us?
In some cases, this is possible.
Contact us for more information.
Page: Becoming a recognised sponsor Link: Apply for recognition as sponsor | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
What fees do you charge for picking up the residence permit from the IND at the Welcome Center?
The cost is 85 euros (rate 2024)
Pagina: In-house desks Link: Residence permits | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
Can you give specific advice on certain questions we have as employers?
Yes, that is possible.
Your best bet is to contact us at welcome@wcfv.nl.
Or fill out the contact form.
Page: Contact
Page: Specific services
I would like to hire a knowledge migrant. How does that work?
We can schedule a consultation for this.
For fees, see our fee schedule.
Page: Contact Page: Hiring highly skilled migrants Tariff List(PDF): Services and Fees 2024
* (WUR: see list on intranet)
What about the cost of formalities?
In many cases, the costs are reimbursed by the employer.
However, this is not standard. So consult with the employer about what will be reimbursed.
Page: Contact Page: Formalities
As an SME entrepreneur, I would like to hire international employees. Do you only work for the larger companies or can I also use your services?
Of course! We help organizations of all sizes. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Page: contact Page: Hiring highly skilled migrants
Expat questions
How can I apply for a residence permit?
Applying for a residence permit is done through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). To qualify for a residence permit, the knowledge migrant or researcher must meet a number of general conditions for expatriates and additional conditions for knowledge migrants or researchers.
At Welcome Center Food Valley, we check whether the general conditions as well as the additional conditions are met. After the review and receipt of all required documents, we submit the application for the residence permit for the knowledge migrant or scientific researcher.
For any family members, we can do that at the same time. This application also includes a visa (if required) and the work permit.
We have our own in-house desk for the IND, allowing you to complete several formalities at once with one appointment.
Page: In-house desks Link: Residence permits | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
How can I apply for a BSN?
The Citizen Service Number (BSN) is provided after the knowledge migrant registers with the municipality in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP).
At Welcome Center Food Valley, we can perform the pre-registration of knowledge migrants and researchers with the municipality of Wageningen as part of our complete counseling services. We request the Citizen Service Number from the Municipality of Wageningen two weeks before arrival.
We have our own in-house desk for the municipality of Wageningen, allowing you to handle several formalities at once with one appointment. The BSN is then given to the expat immediately upon registration.
Page: In-house desks Page: Useful websites Link : Citizen service number (BSN) | Personal data | Government.nl
Link: Personal Records Database (BRP) | Personal data | Government.nl
Link: What is a Citizen Service number (belastingdienst.nl)
BSN = 'burgerservicenummer' (Citizen Service number) BRP = 'Basisregistratie Personen' (Personal Records Database)
The 'burgerservicenummer' (BSN) (Citizen Service number) is your own personal number for contacting the government. For example, for healthcare or taxes. You get a BSN when you register in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
I received a letter from CAK, what should I do?
You can check this SVB website for more information:
Letter from the CAK | Wlz | SVB.
If you can’t figure it out, you can send your advisor immigration a message.
Link: Letter from the CAK | Wlz | SVB Link: Home - The CAK (hetcak.nl) Link: CAK - Wikipedia [NL] CAK = 'Centraal Administratie Kantoor' (Central Administration Office) SVB = 'Sociale Verzekeringsbank' (Social Insurance Bank) WMO = 'Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning' (Social Support Act) WLZ = 'Wet langdurige zorg' (Long-Term Care Act)
CAK performs a number of tasks for the Dutch government. The CAK collects the own contributions for the Wmo and the Wlz and executes a number of regulations such as the regulation on defaulters and the regulation on uninsured persons. More information can be found on CAK's own website. also in English
Can I make an appointment to pick up my residence card in Wageningen?
Through your employer, an appointment can be scheduled for you at the IND at the Welcome Center to pick up your residency card. They can fill out the Request for Formalities Welcome Center form for this purpose.
If this does not apply, please inform us ASAP so we can have your residency card sent to the IND in Den Bosch. Here you can pick up your pass at no cost.
As for picking up search year passes: you can do this without an appointment at the Welcome Center on Thursdays from 11.45 to 12.00 hours.
Outside this time it is not possible to pick up search-year passes. The IND will send you an invitation as soon as your pass is ready.
Form: Request for Formalities form Page: In-house balies Link: Make an appointment with the IND | IND Link: IND desks and locations | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
Can the Welcome Center extend my residence permit?
Contact your employer for this. They can apply to the Welcome Center to renew your residence permit.
Form: Request for Formalities form Page: In-house balies Link: Regular temporary residence permit extension | IND Link: Renew permanent residence permit | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
Can I come to you for registration with the municipality?
It is not possible to register only with us, for that we refer you to the Town Hall of the municipality where you will live.
You can register with the municipality only if you hold a lease in one of the member municipalities and only if the immigration procedure at the IND has been carried out by the Welcome Center.
Link: Municipality Wageningen, links to other municipalities in the Food Valley are at our useful websites
Can I make an appointment for the IND to take biometrics at the Welcome Center?
Through your employer, an appointment can be scheduled for you with the IND at the Welcome Center. They can use the form Application Formalities Welcome Center complete.
If this does not apply to your situation, we will refer you to an IND counter for having biometrics taken.
Form: Request for Formalities form Page: In-house desks Link: Biometrics appointment: photo, signature and fingerprints | IND IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
How can I make an appointment with the doctor?
If you live in Wageningen or Bennekom, you can contact the Student Medical Center.
If you live in another municipality, you must approach a general practice yourself to ask if you can register there as a client.
Link: Student Medical Centre Link: ZorgkaartNederland
GP = 'Huisarts' (General Practitioner)
ZorgkaartNederland = ('Healthcare map Netherlands') The platform provides independent choice information, helping patients choose a health care provider that best suits their needs.
Link: healthcare providers with the text 'huisarts' in the Netherlands (zorgkaartnederland.nl)
How can I apply for benefits from the IRS?
It is best to contact a tax advisor for advice, such as one of our partners.
There are risks associated with applying for benefits incorrectly. For example, having to pay back to the tax authorities afterwards an overpayment or an improperly obtained allowance.
Partner tax matters: The Taxsavers
Link: How do benefits work? (belastingdienst.nl)
DigiD = is short for digital identity. You can use your DigiD to log on to government websites in order to arrange for your government affairs Link: Home English | DigiD
I do not have a lease, may I use the Welcome Center address?
In some cases this is possible, for that you can contact your immigration advisor.
Also check out the options for finding housing through our Home search program or one of our partners.
Page: Home Search Program Partner housing: De Thijmse Berg Partner housing: Short Stay Wageningen Link: Housing | Government.nl
Can you assist in applying for the 30% rule?
To apply for the 30% rule, please refer to one of our partners.
For the 30% rule, you must meet a number of conditions.
Partner tax matters: The Taxsavers Page: Useful websites Link: Can I apply for the 30% facility? (belastingdienst.nl)
I am coming to Wageningen with my family but have not yet found housing. May we be temporarily registered at the Welcome Center address?
Unfortunately, that is not possible. Housing should be arranged for the entire family once they arrive in the Netherlands. The entire family must be registered at the same address as the primary resident.
For housing support, we work with our partners:
- Short Stay Wageningen:
For anyone looking for temporary housing! - Vacation park De Thijmse Berg:
Affordable housing for short and longer periods
Also check out the options for finding housing through our Home search program.
Once housing is found, the move can be reported to the municipality.
Page: Home Search Program Partner housing: De Thijmse Berg Partner housing: Short Stay Wageningen Link: Housing | Government.nl
Can you assist me in applying for a search year residency permit?
No, unfortunately not because this is a private request.
The IND website has a lot of information about applying for a seeker year residence permit.
Link: Residence permit for orientation year | IND
IND = 'Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst' (Immigration and naturalization service)
I have lived in the Netherlands for some time and am now moving to a temporary address at which I cannot be registered. Can I register for that long at the Welcome Center address?
Unfortunately, this is not possible.
For housing support, we work with our partners:
- Short Stay Wageningen:
For anyone looking for temporary housing! - Vacation park De Thijmse Berg:
Affordable housing for short and longer periods
Also check out the options for finding housing through our Home search program.
Once housing is found, the move can be reported to the municipality.
Page: Home Search Program Partner housing: De Thijmse Berg Partner housing: Short Stay Wageningen Link: Housing | Government.nl
Can you reschedule my GGD appointment?
You can reschedule your GGD appointment by contacting them directly.
If you have another question, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help.
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