The experience of…
Immigration Advisor Loes
Function
Immigration Advisor
Country of origin
“Brabant”
Employed at WCFV since
2020
Culinary Tip
Dutch farmhouse cheeses
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Loes herself studied at WUR. Her partner is also a highly skilled migrant. Therefore, Loes knows better than anyone else how important personal support is in the migration process.
What does your work entail?
I assist international employees with their immigration related issues. For example, when international employees move to the Netherlands from their country of origin, but it can also be an extension of the current residence permit. These are largely administrative tasks where we request documents and process data. We also conduct personal entry interviews with international employees moving to the Netherlands for the first time.
Why did you start doing this work?
What really attracted me initially was the international nature of the work. I have always had a keen interest in international environments and different languages and cultures. I started at WCFV as a back office assistant, as a replacement for maternity leave, which is now three years ago. After a year and a half of being inducted as an immigration counselor, it does me good to be able to do something for someone else.
“By providing information and answers, you can reassure expats, it’s not nothing to leave hearth and home for a job in the Netherlands!”
What do you like most about your work?
The thing I enjoy most about my job is the entry interviews. I usually perform these online when the new international employee is still in the country of origin. In doing so, you really get a glimpse into someone else’s life. You can often see pretty well how a person looks. By providing additional information and answering questions, you can often reassure them, after all, it’s not nothing to leave home and hearth behind and take a job in the Netherlands.
Which case study has stuck with you the most?
The cases that stick with me the most often have to do with unrest in the country of origin, sometimes adding complexity to the process. For example, a closed embassy can be challenging.
Do you have any tips for expats?
Be kind to yourself the first few months. It’s not nothing to move abroad. Besides having to arrange all sorts of things, you also find yourself in a different culture. I think it’s normal that you need some time to get used to it.
And try the Dutch farmhouse cheeses, once you taste them you’ll never want to leave here! 😉
Loes Ederveen
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