Au pair stay in the Netherlands

PLEASE NOTE: From 1 June 2013, it will be COMPULSORY to apply through an offically recognised agency in the Netherlands to organise the au pair stay! For further information, please read our news.

Step 1: Check the validity of your passport

Make sure that you hold a valid passport before planning your trip.

Step 2: Apply for a Regular Provisional Residence Permit (MVV)

If you want to stay for more than three months in the Netherlands to work as an au pair, you will need a residence permit. Moreover, most foreign nationals also need an extra visa before entering the Netherlands – the Regular Provisional Residence Permit (MVV)*. You can apply for this special visa yourself at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country. Or you can ask your host family to submit a so-called request for advice (adviesprocedure) that precedes the actual application and then apply for it if the answer was positive. The application for an MVV as an au pair costs 600 euros and the sum is not refunded if the application is refused. This is the reason why a request for advice proves to be quite useful.

*Please note that citizens from the following countries are exempt from applying for an MVV: EU/EEA member states, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, the USA and South Korea.

Step 3: Register with the municipality of your host family upon arrival

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must register with the municipality of your host family. There, your personal details will be registered in the so-called Municipal Basic Administration (Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens – GBA). You will need to take a certified and translated birth certificate with you.

Step 4: Apply for a Residence Permit at the Immigration and Naturalisation Services

Once you have registered with the municipality of your host family, you will have to apply for a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning – VVR) at the Immigration and Naturalisation Services (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND). You should submit your application within 8 days of your arrival. First make an appointment with the IND desk in your region. They will tell you which documents you need to bring along. After having made an appointment, the IND will send you a confirmation to your address, along with the application form. You will also be asked to include official foreign documents to your application. These might need to be legalised and/or translated if they are not in Dutch, English, French or German. Please note that the application for a residence permit costs 300 euros if you already have an MVV and 600 euros without. The issued residence permit is valid for a maximum 12 months and cannot be extended. Do not forget to sign the official au pair contract with your host family. You will also have to sign a declaration of awareness (bewustverklaring) stating that your stay in the Netherlands is temporary and undergo an examination for tuberculosis in the Netherlands*.

*Citizens from the EU/EEA member states, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Surinam and the United States of America are exempted from undergoing this examination.

Alternative for citizens from Canada, Australia and New Zealand

The Working Holiday Programme (for Canada) and the Working Holiday Scheme (for Australia and New Zealand) offer you an interesting alternative that allows you to work as an au pair in the Netherlands.