Work, Study Abroad and Internships
If you want to work or follow an internship during your studies there are options, as long as you comply with the applicable rules and regulations.
Work as an employee or in self-employment
If you want to work as an employee, your employer has to request a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning/TWV) for you. They have to submit the request for a TWV at least six weeks prior to the start of your employment. As an employee in the Netherlands, you will be required to take out Dutch healthcare insurance.
You are allowed to choose one out of two options for scheduling your working hours:
- working up to 16 hours a week, all year long; or
- working fulltime, but only during the months of June, July and August.
The Netherlands Labour Authority (in Dutch: Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie) monitors whether your employer has arranged a TWV, and whether your working hours are within these limitations. If one of these conditions is not met, your employer will be fined and the infringement will be reported to the IND. In turn, the IND will inform TU Delft and they may revoke your residence permit.
If you are self-employed student, you do not need a TWV or limit your working hours, as long as you remain compliant with all other general requirements for your residence permit for study. You are required, however, to register with the Chamber of Commerce (in Dutch: KvK) and pay taxes. Possibly you will have to take out Dutch healthcare insurance as well.
Abroad
If you reside outside the Netherlands for an exchange programme, internship or thesis in exchange for EC, this is allowed for a maximum of 12 months, as long as you are in the possession of a valid residence permit for study and meet all requirements, including that for enrolment and MoMi study progress. You have to fill out the statement for staying abroad and send it to contactcentre-esa@tudelft.nl at least one month before your departure. If your residence permit will expire during your stay abroad, you may have to apply for a return visa at the IND and initiate the process for extension (possible once your residence permit expires within the next three months).
If you reside outside the Netherlands without acquiring EC, you have to return to the Netherlands within 6 months. To keep your residence permit for study you need to continue to meet all requirements; this includes enrolment and MoMi study progress. If you are not sure this is manageable in your situation, you may want to consider a gap period. The academic counsellor of your faculty can advise you on this.