Stay in the Netherlands: How to Keep Your Job After the Orientation Year (Even Without a Recognized Sponsor)

Is the Clock Ticking on Your Dutch Dream?

You have spent a year building a life in the Netherlands. You have navigated the chaotic cycling paths, you know exactly how to order your coffee in Dutch, and you have finally found a workplace where you feel valued and challenged. But there is a dark cloud on the horizon: the expiration date on your residence permit.

Your orientation year is about to expire, but your employer is not a visa sponsor. What are your actions?

This is the nightmare scenario for thousands of international graduates in the Netherlands every year. You have done everything right. You graduated, you secured the “Zoekjaar” (Orientation Year) visa, and you found a job that you love. But bureaucracy seems to be standing between you and your future.

The “Sponsorship” Wall

You obtained an orientation year visa in the Netherlands, and it is close to the expiry date. Even though you work full-time for a Dutch company, they are not a recognized sponsor and regret they cannot hire you once your orientation year expires.

This situation is heartbreakingly common. Many small to medium-sized Dutch companies (SMEs) and creative startups simply are not aware of the nuances of immigration laws. When they hear the word “visa,” they imagine astronomical fees, months of paperwork, and strict audits by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

Because they are not a “Recognized Sponsor” (erkend referent), they assume their hands are tied. They often believe that becoming a sponsor is the only way to keep you. When they look into it, they see that the application fee to become a sponsor is very expensive—often prohibitively so for a smaller business—and the administrative burden is heavy. Consequently, they tell you, with genuine regret, that they have to let you go.

Panic sets in. You know that finding a new job in a matter of weeks is nearly impossible, especially one that meets the strict salary criteria usually demanded of non-EU employees.

You’ve sent over 100 job applications to other companies, and most of them auto-reply, “We decided to move forward with another candidate,” the rest never answer at all.

The rejection emails pile up in your inbox. It feels like a full-time job just managing the disappointments. You start questioning your worth and your skills, but the reality is often simpler: HR departments filter out candidates who require sponsorship because they perceive it as too difficult or too costly.

Should you already buy a plane ticket back and fly to your home country, or are there legal possibilities to stay in the Netherlands?

Before you start packing your boxes and saying goodbye to your friends in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht, you need to know that the situation is likely not as hopeless as it seems. There is a specific solution that most people overlook.

Case Study: Elena’s “Impossible” Situation

To illustrate this, let’s look at a recent case handled by UnitCity (name changed for privacy). Elena, a marketing specialist from Brazil, was working for a boutique design agency in Amsterdam on her Orientation Year visa.

Elena was a star employee. She had revitalized the agency’s digital strategy and brought in new international clients. Her contract was ending in one month, coinciding with her visa expiry. Her boss, Martijn, sat her down for a difficult conversation.

“Elena,” he said, “we want to keep you. You are essential to the team. But we checked the IND website. To hire you as a Highly Skilled Migrant, we need to apply to become a recognized sponsor. We looked at the costs, and it is simply very expensive for a company of our size right now. Plus, the process takes too long. We just can’t do it.”

Elena was devastated. She returned to the job market, facing the same wall of silence mentioned earlier. She felt she was being punished simply for not having an EU passport. She was ready to give up and book a flight to São Paulo.

That is when she contacted UnitCity.

The Legal Reality Check: The EU Blue Card

Most expats—and many employers—operate under the misconception that the only valid route for a knowledge worker is the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) visa, which strictly requires the employer to be a Recognized Sponsor.

There is actually a visa path that you could follow without changing the employer. Most importantly, your employer doesn’t need to be a recognized visa sponsor to keep you hired and in the Netherlands.

When we analyzed Elena’s case, we identified a critical legal avenue that has recently become much more accessible: the EU Blue Card combined with the reduced salary criterion.

Here is the game-changer: unlike the Highly Skilled Migrant visa, the EU Blue Card does not require the employer to be a Recognized Sponsor. Any legitimate company in the Netherlands can apply for it.

Historically, the EU Blue Card was unpopular because the salary threshold was incredibly high. However, regulations have changed. For recent graduates—specifically those who have obtained a higher education diploma within the three years preceding the application (which covers almost everyone on an Orientation Year visa)—the salary threshold is significantly lower.

By leveraging this “recent graduate” status, you can qualify for an EU Blue Card with a salary that is much more achievable than the standard rate, and comparable to the reduced salary criterion for highly skilled migrants.

How UnitCity Solved It

We didn’t just talk to Elena; we facilitated the conversation with her boss, Martijn. We explained the situation clearly:

• No Sponsorship Status Needed: Martijn did not need to pay the expensive fee to become a recognized sponsor. He didn’t need to go through the months-long vetting process to get that status. He could hire Elena as a regular employer.
• Achievable Salary: Because Elena was transitioning from an Orientation Year (and had graduated within the last 3 years), the salary required for her EU Blue Card was not the standard high rate, but the reduced rate. Martijn was already planning to pay her a competitive market salary, which comfortably met this lower threshold.
• Long-Term Benefits: We explained that the EU Blue Card also offers Elena better mobility within the EU in the future, making it an attractive option for her as well.
• We Handle the Paperwork: UnitCity would handle the specific application forms for the EU Blue Card, ensuring every box was ticked and every annex was correct.

The relief in the room was palpable. The company didn’t want to lose Elena; they just didn’t know how to keep her without breaking the bank. Within weeks, the application was filed. Elena didn’t have to leave the country. She didn’t have to buy that plane ticket. She is still living in Amsterdam today, continuing her career.

What We Can Do For You

At UnitCity, we specialize in untangling Dutch bureaucracy for expats and their employers. We bridge the gap between “We can’t hire you” and “Welcome to the team.” We know the loopholes, the exemptions, and the specific directives that HR managers often miss.

Our services include:

• Visa Eligibility Assessment: We review your specific situation (Orientation Year, graduation date, current salary offer) to see if you qualify for the EU Blue Card or other permit types.
• Employer Advocacy: We speak directly to your HR department or CEO. We explain the regulations in Dutch, clarifying that hiring you via the EU Blue Card route avoids the expensive sponsorship process.
• Application Management: We prepare the forms, verify the diploma evaluations (IDW), check the contract details, and liaise with the IND on your behalf.
• Strategic Planning: If the Blue Card isn’t an option, we look for other alternatives like the GVVA or partner permits.

Don’t let misinformation end your Dutch journey. The gap between a rejection and a residence permit is often just a matter of knowing which form to file and which European Directive applies to your case.

During the consultation with UnitCity, we walk you through your individual options and explain in simple terms what actions to take to maintain your visa. If you are in a similar situation, contact UnitCity today.