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You have found a new job in the Netherlands, but your residence permit is connected to your current employment. When can you start with the new employer?
For many holders of various work permits, the new rules provide stronger protection against delays by the IND. If the IND misses the applicable employer-change deadline, the worker can move to the new employer during the remaining validity of the existing permit.
Highly skilled migrants (kennismigranten) and EU Blue Card holders also have rules for changing employer. Many can already start on the agreed date, without waiting for an IND decision.
What was the position before
A GVVA normally authorises work for the employer named in its supplementary document (aanvullend document). A move to another employer requires a new application and permission for the new employment. The normal IND decision period was 90 days. In the past, delay alone did not give the worker permission to start with the new employer.
The new rules imposes a shorter decision period of admitting the applications for changing to a new employer with a practical consequence when the IND fails to act in time.
| Ordinary GVVA employer change | Earlier rules | Rules applied from 22 May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Normal decision period | 90 days | 45 days; exceptionally extended by 15 days |
| No decision by the deadline | No automatic permission to start with the new employer | Permission to work for the new employer during the existing permit’s remaining validity |
| Application and employment conditions | Required | Still required |
This comparison concerns ordinary GVVA employer changes. Other residence categories can have more favourable rules.
Why the change already applies from 22 May 2026
The protection comes from the revised EU Single Permit Directive 2024/1233. EU countries had to implement the relevant rules by 21 May 2026. In its response to Parliament published on 9 November 2026, the Dutch government confirmed that the IND has applied the employer-change protection from 22 May 2026, even though national implementing legislation is still pending.
When does the 45-day period start
The period runs forward from the IND’s receipt of a complete application or notification, with the information and documents required by the form. It is not a requirement to apply 45 days before the permit expires. An incomplete submission can affect when the clock starts.
The IND may add 15 days only in exceptional circumstances and must explain why. If the deadline passes without the IND opposing the change, the worker can gain permission to move even if the IND has not finished checking whether the new job meets the rules.
Example A: Moving with an ordinary GVVA
Ana works for Employer A. Her GVVA remains valid through 30 June 2027. Employer B submits a complete employer-change application, received by the IND on 1 January 2027. Assume there is no earlier decision or valid extension.
| Date in 2027 | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 January | The IND receives the complete application. Filing alone does not authorise Ana to start with B. |
| 15 February | The normal 45-day decision period ends. |
| 16 February | If the IND has not opposed the change, Ana may work for B under the deadline protection. |
| 30 June | The existing permit expires. The employer change application cannot not extend the validity. |
Under the earlier rules, Ana would still need authorisation to start with B. Under the new protection, the missed deadline allows the move. She should request the updated supplementary document so B has evidence of the new work permission.
Note: An earlier approval can allow an earlier start. A timely refusal prevents reliance on this protection too. Also, a valid 15-day extension postpones the relevant deadline.
An employer change does not renew the permit
Suppose B offers Ana a two-year contract. The permission arising after the missed deadline still lasts only for the remaining validity of her existing permit. It does not automatically give her two more years of residence. This solely relies on the IND’s approval decision still.
If an employer submits the change of sponsor and the renewal applications together, the IND assesses them on separate timetables: normally 45 days for the change; and 90 days for renewal. Any right to stay and work after the old permit expires must be checked under the renewal rules.
The employer-change protection also does not give someone applying for their first time GVVA permission to start simply because 45 days have passed.
How highly skilled migrants and EU blue cards differ
The IND expressly confirms that a highly skilled migrants and holders of the European blue card moving to another recognised sponsor (erkend referent) within the same residence category can start on the agreed employment date. The worker must have a valid permit, an employment contract and meet all other conditions, including the applicable salary requirement. The recognised sponsor must also report the change within 28 days after that start date.
The IND lists the following normal decision periods for employer changes. These are processing deadlines, not a requirement for every worker to wait before starting.
| Existing residence category and new employer | Normal decision period |
|---|---|
| Ordinary GVVA | 45 days |
| Highly skilled migrant | 45 days |
| EU blue card with a recognised sponsor | 30 days |
| EU blue card without a recognised sponsor | 45 days |
Example B: A highly skilled migrant starts on the agreed date
Ravi has a valid highly skilled migrant permit through 30 June 2027. He agrees to join B, a recognised sponsor, on 1 January 2027. His new employment meets the permit conditions.
| Timing | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Ravi may start with B on the agreed date. He does not need to wait for the 45-day period to end. |
| Within 28 days after the start | B must report the employer change to the IND. |
| Before the permit expires | Ravi and B arrange any necessary renewal separately. |
A qualifying Dutch EU blue card holder moving to a recognised sponsor within the same category can likewise start on the agreed date as well. The IND decision period for that change is 30 days.
Plan your move with Pathway Partners
Before agreeing a start date, check your residence category, permit validity and the conditions of the new job. Keep proof of the complete submission and check any IND extension or refusal. A new employment contract alone does not establish the right to work.
Planning to change employer, or hiring someone who already holds a Dutch residence permit? Contact Pathway Partners to discuss your situation. We can help you identify the correct procedure, prepare the application or notification, confirm when work can begin and plan any necessary renewal.