Sharp increase in work permits for non-EU migrants and asylum seekers
The UWV granted 20,172 work permits last year for labor migrants and working students from outside the EU, marking a significant surge compared to previous years, according to figures obtained by NU.nl. The increase also extends to asylum seekers entering the Dutch labor market.
Companies hiring staff from outside the European Union are required to secure a work permit from the UWV. Last year, permits for non-EU workers rose by more than 12 percent compared with the prior year and surged 26 percent compared with 2022. A steady upward trend has been observed since 2019.
The permits cover not only workers and working students from other parts of the world but also individuals from non-EU European countries, such as the United Kingdom. Leontine Treur, a labor market specialist at Rabobank, said the increase is a direct result of a tight labor market.
“We have a tight labor market and that will remain so in the coming years. This keeps the demand for labor migrants high,” Treur said. She pointed to persistently low unemployment in the Netherlands, which leaves few domestic workers available to fill numerous vacancies. Furthermore, Rabobank’s forecasts indicate continued economic growth this year and next, ensuring that demand for personnel remains robust.
The UWV also issued work permits to asylum seekers at an unprecedented rate. Last year, 9,281 permits were granted to this group—more than four times the number issued the previous year. The dramatic rise reflects changes in regulations that once allowed asylum seekers to work only 24 weeks per year, a restriction that was removed by a court ruling at the end of 2023. This regulatory change has reportedly spurred significant interest among temporary employment agencies, hospitality businesses, cleaning companies, and the agricultural sector.
The permits are issued to individuals whose asylum procedures are still ongoing. Their long-term residency status in the Netherlands remains uncertain, but employers are undeterred. In addition to the relaxed rules, severe staff shortages are prompting companies to look beyond the traditional labor pool.
The UWV is reportedly working in close collaboration with the Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA) and the Vereniging Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG) to help asylum seekers find sustainable employment. “Work provides perspective and promotes integration,” said a UWV spokesperson.
Employers’ association AWVN acknowledges the challenges of sourcing enough staff for the workload in the Netherlands. “It is difficult to find enough personnel for all the work that needs to be done in the Netherlands,” a spokesperson for AWVN said. “The Dutch labor reserve is very small.”
The demographic shift due to an aging population is reportedly further intensifying the labor shortage. As the demand for healthcare rises with an aging society, there are fewer people available to provide care. “This means there will continue to be a need for extra hands. Additionally, many expats are employed in high-skill roles for which there are not always enough qualified domestic workers,” the spokesperson added.
