Amsterdam is rich in Higher Education institutions, and many offer programmes in English. As a student, your residence permit is sorted, you recieve a part time permit for summer work or limited work throughout the year, and you also qualify for special stay opportunities upon graduation.

Examination system – NT2 diploma

The Dutch government developed an examination system known as the NT2, which will give you an officially recognized diploma upon successful completion of the exam course. It serves as proof that you have achieved a good command of the Dutch language. Depending on your residence status or goals, completion of this course may be required and may even be subsidised in your integration process. The Ministerie van Justitie (ministry of justice) has more information regarding the Integration Bill and to whom this applies.

NT2-Certification Institutions

Volksuniversiteit 
Anyone wishing to participate in a course Dutch for foreigners (NT2) should consider the classes held at the Volksuniverisiteit, an institution for adult education that provides evening courses on everything from NT2 to DIY to handcrafts to philosophy and much more. NT2 classes are generally inexpensive, teachers are certified and enthusiastic, and classes are filled with adult students from around the world – an excellent way to make friends and social contacts. An intake interview with a teacher must first take place in order to assess your level. Please phone for an appointment and/or more information from Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 16.00.  

Address: Rapenburgerstraat 73 
Tel: +31(0)20 626 16 26  
Email: secretariaat@volksuniversiteitamsterdam.nl

University of Amsterdam 
Many universities and colleges, such as the University of Amsterdam, provide courses. Although these are generally intended for students, many offer courses to the general public. For instance, the Institute for Dutch as a Second Language (INTT) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) offers Dutch language courses at various levels for students, those on the NT2 stream, as well as expats. Participants are also allowed access to the UvA’s Taalpractikum language lab, where they can use various media and computer programmes to complete their homework, work on pronunciation, improve your listening skills and do computer exercises. Contact the Service en Informatiecentrum (SIC) of the UvA:  

Address: Binnengasthuisstraat 9 
1012 ZA Amsterdam  
Tel: +31 (0)20 525 8080 
Fax: +31(0)20 525 29 21 
Email: info@uva.nl 

ROC network  
The ROC network of supplementary education schools provides a list of other programmes throughout the city where residents can take NT2 courses.

International Schools
International schools and some high schools (schoolgemeenschappen) often give Dutch language courses for adults.

Private language institutes
There are many language institutes which offer different types of courses at varying rates. Courses are often tailored to specific groups, individuals or purposes. Some institutes are CEDEO certified, having achieved high standards for customer satisfaction in quality.

The new system is a private health insurance with social conditions. The system is operated by private health insurance companies; the insurers are obliged to accept every resident in their area of activity. A system of risk equalisation enables the acceptance obligation and prevents direct or indirect risk selection.

The insured pay a nominal premium to the health insurer. Everyone with the same policy will pay the same insurance premium. The Health Insurance Act also provides for an income-related contribution to be paid by the insured. Employers contribute by making a compulsory payment towards the income-related insurance contribution of their employees.

After establishing the regulations relative to the specific situation and country of origin, job seekers and employers must contact the employment and income arm of the government called the Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen (CWI) to process applications for work permits. CWI is an independent administrative body (ZBO) that works on assignment from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

Address:
Bureau Juridische Zaken / Tewerkstellingvergunningen
Postbus 883
2700 AW Zoetermeer
Phone: +31 (0)79 7502903
Fax: +31 (0)79 7502988
Internet:www.cwinet.nl/nl/about_cwi.asp (English version of the site www.cwinet.nl)
Another site – www.werk.nl provides answers to the general questions about work and income in the Netherlands (in English, German, French and Spanish).

Vrijwilligerscentrale Amsterdam (VCA) is the city’s main centre for volunteer work in Amsterdam, providing administration, advice, and support for volunteers and voluntary organisations. They have two offices: one in the Centre and one in Nieuw West (New West). Both locations offer a vrijwilligersbank (vacancy bank), handle placements, and offer advice and information on regulations and rights. For example, volunteers are allowed up to €20 a week in compensation, €735 per year. Those receiving benefits under Werkloosheidsuitkering (WW) unemployment due to job loss have to ask special permission from the CWI in order to volunteer while they are conducting their mandatory job searches.

Once you have registered with the IND and the City Hall (and got a residence permit, if you need one), a SoFi (sociaal-fiscaal) number can be obtained. This number identifies you within the tax and social security system and is essential if you wish to work. To obtain a SoFi number, you will need to contact the Tax Office – Belastingdienst.

Belastingdienst 
Kingsfordweg 1 
1043 GN Amsterdam

Postal Address:
Postbus 58944
1040 EE Amsterdam
 
Tel: 0800 0543
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 08.00-20.00, Fri 08.00-17.00

Highly Skilled Migrants
Since October 2004 the IND has been phasing in a streamlined process and permit for “Highly Skilled Migrants” which is dependant on income levels and agreements between the IND and the employers, and includes a streamlined process for the MVV. To qualify you must be entering the Netherlands for the prime purpose of employment, earning a minimum gross salary of EUR 45,000, or EUR 32,600 if under the age of 30. This income criterion does not apply if you are being employed by an educational or research institute, or are a postgraduate student or university lecturer under the age of 30. Employers are no longer required to apply for work permits as the entire procedure is now in the hands of the IND. Permits are normally granted for five years, or the duration of the employment contract, and should be dealt with in two weeks.

Students
Undergraduates are not considered to be Highly Skilled Migrants, but their educational institute may apply the accelerated MVV procedure for admissions. Stringent regulations govern permissibility to study in the Netherlands which include; health insurance, a declaration that you have no criminal record or pose a threat to public order, in some cases are willing to undergo a TB test, and have sufficient funds for duration of your stay. After graduation, students will be now granted a three-month grace period (which may be increased this year) in which to find employment as a Highly Skilled Migrant. Also, the obligation to apply for a work permits has been abolished.

All residents, foreigners or otherwise, are also required to register at the City Hall.

The GBA (Gemeentelijke basisadministratie persoonsgegevens) is part of the Civil Affairs Department of the local city, town or district council hall. It handles all administrative aspects of residence permit requests and immigration. Law requires registration with the GBA for everyone (EU as well as non-EU nationals) residing in the Netherlands for longer than three months and should happen within the first 3-5 days after arrival. It also acts simultaneously as registration in the municipal register, triggers notification of your details to the IND, and the tax office, which in turn automatically connects your details to a SoFi number (required by both employers and the tax office to work).

It also proves your residence (and therefore your rights) within a municipality, gives you access to these institutions, and is where you will need to exchange your driver’s licence. The way you are registered (i.e. number of people in your family) will also automatically determine the charges for water and refuse collection, enable you to register for middle/low cost housing (woonvergunning or huisvestingsvergunning) depending on your income and eventual residence status, and vote in local and European elections.

To register at the GBA you will need to provide the following documents: passport (valid for a minimum of the duration of your stay, unless permanent); rental contract (in your name); employment contract (if applicable); birth and marriage certificates of all family members who also have to appear in person at the first application. These documents may require document authentication referred to as ‘legalisation’. Information about legalisation from countries of origin can be given by embassies, the department of civil affairs or the IND.

In Amsterdam these functions are carried out by Dienst Persoonsgegevens (DPG). It provides the following administration:

• Registration of dwelling
• Copies of official Dutch documents
• Lost & Found for identity cards
• Taxi permits
• Official written documents from the Gemeentelijk Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens
• Votes and referendums
• Changes in personal information

Address: Stadhouderskade 85
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-16.00
Tel: +31 (0)20 551 9252 (Hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-12.00 and 13.00-15.00)
Website: www.amsterdam.nl/dpg

The Burgerzaken department (resident’s affairs) handles the following administration for established residents and citizens:

• Travel documents
• Driver’s licenses
• Change of address notification
• Notification of intent to marry
• Official written documents from the Gemeentelijk Basisadministratie Persoonsgegevens
• Notification of births
• Notification of death
• Requests for a declaration of (clean) criminal history

Address: Stadhouderskade  85  
1073 AT Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 551 9911 
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08.30-16.00

From 1 May 2006 onwards, citizens of EU or EEA member states* or Switzerland who wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months have to register with the IND. They will no longer have to request proof of lawful residency and in addition, they will no longer be issued with a residence permit. Family members of these people who themselves are not citizens of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland must still submit a request for verification against EU Community Law. This also applies to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, as long as the EU job market is still restricted for these people.

^{* Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Spain, the UK and Sweden.}

If a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland wishes to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months, this person has to register with the IND after three months, or sooner. Anyone wishing to register must be able to prove the purpose of his or her residence. For example, if someone is here to work, an employer’s statement must be presented. After registering, a registration statement will be issued by the IND. This is a passport sticker that will remain valid for as long as the person remains in the Netherlands. In order to register, an appointment must always be made by telephone. You can use the telephone number 0900 123 4561 for this purpose from 1 May 2006 onwards. Registration with the IND is free of charge.

Please note: Anyone who registers with the IND must first be registered in the personal records database (GBA) of the municipality in which they reside.

New EU member states
For people from Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, the application procedure will remain the same. They must submit a request for verification against EU Community Law to their municipal authorities, and will then be given a registration sticker with a note relating to permission to access the job market. This situation will, in all probability, continue until 31 December, 2006.  After this time, open access to the job market will be available for citizens of these countries. They will then only have to register with the IND.

Only civil marriages, those performed by civil servants, are recognised by Dutch law and are therefore required. Religious ceremonies are thus a secondary option. Marriage in the Netherlands does not automatically confer Dutch citizenship upon an individual. Requirements for getting legally married in the Netherlands are as follows:

• One partner must be either Dutch or a legal Dutch resident.
• The couple can be gay or heterosexual. However, there is no guarantee that a same-sex couple’s marriage will be recognised in another country.
• Non-Dutch nationals must pass an integration test in order to marry or form a partnership with a Dutch national, holder of a long-stay residence permit or a person granted asylum status. For some nationalities, this course must be completed and passed in the home country prior to the granting of an MMV visa to enter the Netherlands. Information about this test can be obtained through the immigration authority (IND).
• In order to prevent marriages of convenience, non-Dutch nationals wanting to enter into a registered partnership or marriage must have a permanent residence permit. A special statement of permission may be granted from the immigration authority (IND) when this is not the case.
• In the case that one partner is not Dutch, other regulations may apply, specifically in regard to the non-Dutch partner’s ability to reside and/or work in the Netherlands. For example, in this situation, both partners must be at least 21 years of age. In most cases, the Dutch partner (or legal Dutch resident) must show sufficient income to support the newcomer. As of 1 November 2004, this is at least 120% of the minimum wage in the case of family formation.
• Since 1 November 2004, the age limit for exemption from the income requirement for a head of family has been raised from 57.5 to 65 years. Further, partners caring for a child under the age of 5 are no longer exempt from the income requirement. In most cases, those who are permanently and fully incapacitated for work are exempt from the income requirement.
• Marriage to more than one partner is not permitted in the Netherlands.
• Non-Dutch nationals are required to show an affidavit from their home country certifying their civil status, (i.e. that the person is not already      married, that a divorce has been finalised, or that a previous spouse is deceased). These documents must have been issued within the last 6 months prior to the application to enter/remain in the Netherlands, and must bear an apostil stamp certifying their authenticity. Information on  obtaining these documents and the apostil stamps for non-Dutch nationals is available through embassies.
• An ondertrouw, or official notification to the municipality, is required no later than two weeks before the ceremony.

Couples may choose between two forms of marriage:

• Gemeenschap van goederen (communal property). This default form of marriage means that all property is owned on equal terms between the two partners. This also means that both partners are liable for each other’s debts.
• Huwelijkse voorwaarden (marriage settlement or prenuptial agreement). This means that each partner’s income and assets are separate and pre-determined in conjunction with the partners and a legal expert.