Knowledge migrant scheme big draw for young Indians
The knowledge migrant scheme of the Netherlands - which was introduced by the Dutch government as a work authorisation programme for highly skilled foreign workers (knowledge migrants or Kennismigranten) who are not citizens of Switzerland or the European Union - has turned into a very popular scheme for young Indians.
This programme was meant to attract young, highly skilled professionals to the Netherlands by introducing simple requirements and allowing for expedited processing of work permit applications through the Dutch Immigration Department’s (IND) desk for knowledge and labour migration. KM visa is issued for five years and cuts many steps in the older work-permit and residence-permit route.
Under the system, visa applications of skilled professionals and their families are dealt with quickly and they can often come and settle down in the Netherlands within two weeks.
And now, with the process being further simplified for foreign graduates in the Netherlands, young Indians are finding it even more attractive. From last year, the admission procedure for recent graduates from countries outside the EU has been made simpler. Foreign graduates will now have a year to find work in the Netherlands, whereas earlier they only had three months.
“The new norms will help ease the process of getting jobs and settling down in the Netherlands for young students from India. They have now been allowed to remain in the Netherlands for up to an year to look for jobs. While a large number of Indian students in the Netherlands go on to get jobs under the knowledge worker category, young Indian knowledge migrants can also take their spouses and children with them,” says Sander Van Den Eijnden, president of Nuffic, the organisation in Netherlands for international co-operation in higher education.
Foreign students in the Netherlands are allowed to do internships even during their courses. Students who finish their graduation can work on traineeships to gain practical experience for up to six months after their courses are finished.
With the KM scheme becoming more and more popular, the number of foreign nationals who went to the Netherlands in 2007 under it was 5,251, compared to 3,592 the previous year. An additional 1,118 existing residence permits issued in other categories in 2007 were changed to KM permits. Compared to 2006, this represents an increase of 37% in the growth of the KM programme.
With the minimum starting salary requirement for foreign graduates under the scheme also being lowered from Euro 43,130 to Euro 25,000, it will become even more attractive for Indian students. Students will have to be able to support themselves financially while looking for work.
Read the article: India Times, 8 May 2008
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