New Dutch immigration policy good for international students

nternational students who want to stay in the Netherlands after their studies here are to be given more opportunities to look for work. And international freelance researchers should be allowed easy access to the Netherlands. These are two of the key points in the Cabinet’s plans for a modern immigration policy that is expected to come into effect from 2008. The new policy represents a complete departure from the old immigration rules. Instead of the 29 different residence purposes in the current system, there will be five residence categories, each of which will encompass a uniform package of rights and obligations. The ‘labour migration’ category will have an in-built tolerance for international knowledge workers who do not have an employment contract, but do have the funding to carry out important research or work. Following a speedy assessment, talented independent researchers will qualify for a two-year residence permit. Eurogates. Forum of education news