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Conditions for working if you have a W-document

Last updated: 25/09/2024, 11:25

If your asylum application is pending in the Netherlands for 6 months or more, you may perform paid work under conditions.

Under these conditions, you may work for pay:

  • You have a valid

    W-document
    .

  • Your asylum application has been pending for 6 months. You count from the time you signed your asylum application (the

    M35-H form
    ) in Ter Apel.

  • Your employer has a work permit (TWV) to employ you.

  • Your residence in the Netherlands is legal.

  • You are entitled to reception under the

    Regulation for Provisions for Asylum Seekers and Other Categories of Foreign Nationals (Rva)
    .

  • The work you do must be done under 'market conditions'. This means that the same conditions apply to you as to others doing the same job. The hours you work, the salary you earn and the leave days you are entitled to must conform to what has been agreed with others.

  • If you are a minor, you are allowed to work, just as Dutch minors may under certain conditions. There is, however, a ban on

    child labour
    in the Netherlands.

Your employer must apply for a work permit (TWV) for you

Your employer applies for the work permit (TWV) from the

Employee Insurance Agency (UWV)
free of charge. You cannot do this yourself. The UWV decides on the application within 5 weeks. You may work once your employer has the TWV.

If an employer lets you work without a TWV, this is punishable. Your employer may then be fined. You cannot be fined yourself. If your work permit expires, your employer must apply for a new work permit.

You will need a BSN in most cases

In practice, you need a

Dutch citizen service number (BSN)
to work in the Netherlands. Your employer can then more easily make a contract for you and deposit wages into your bank account. To open a bank account, you need a BSN.

You get a BSN when you register in the

Dutch population register (BRP)
. There are 5 locations in the Netherlands where you can register. You will receive an invitation to register.

This is how you get a personal number (BSN) to handle your affairs in the Netherlands

On this page you can read how to get a citizen service number (BSN).
More information

In some cases, an employer does want to make a contract without a BSN. And your employer can also pay your wages to your Yoursafe account from COA if you do not yet have a BSN. But how much money you can receive on your Yoursafe and from whom depends on your type of YourSafe account. Do you not have a BSN but do have a Yoursafe account? Then ask the COA employee to help you. Please note that it is not often that you are able to work without a BSN. Even though a BSN is not a hard requirement. In practice, you almost always need a BSN if you want to work in the Netherlands.

Sometimes you need a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC)

Sometimes you may need a

Certifacte of Good Conduct (CGC)
for work or volunteer work. Usually the organisation will apply for this CGC for you. You do not need a
BSN
 to apply for a CGC.

If you have work you have to pay a contribution for childcare

Are you staying in the COA reception centre? Then you must report your income to COA. You then have to contribute to the costs of the reception centre. You can keep 25 percent of your income yourself, up to a maximum of € 264 per month.

If you earn more than the amount you have to pay for childcare, you get to keep the rest of the income as well.

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