Netherlands Short-Term Work Permit (TWV) Guide

Hiring Non-EU Talent Short-Term? The Netherlands TWV (Tewerkstellingsvergunning) Is Your Route

What is the Netherlands TWV?

The Netherlands Short-Term Work Permit, known officially as the Tewerkstellingsvergunning (TWV) is the standalone work authorisation issued by the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals working in the Netherlands for up to 90 days. The employer, not the employee, must submit the TWV application via the UWV employer portal, and the permit is tied to the specific employer, role, and employment duration approved.

Netherlands TWV benefits for employers

• No government filing fee charged by UWV : The TWV is free to apply for, keeping short-term project costs predictable
• Covers short-term assignments, seasonal work, and project-based roles for non-EU nationals without requiring a full residence permit
• Faster and simpler than the GVVA: Ideal for buitenlandse werknemers staying under 90 days who already hold or do not need Dutch residence rights

Common HR struggles with non-EU short-term work permits in the Netherlands

Navigating the UWV arbeidsmarkttoets and Dutch WAV compliance requirements is one of the most time-consuming tasks for HR teams hiring buitenlandse werknemers in the Netherlands.

• Arbeidsmarkttoets complexity: Employers must notify the vacancy at UWV at least 5 weeks before applying and document genuine EU/EEA recruitment efforts, a step many HR teams underestimate
• TWV vs GVVA confusion: HR managers frequently apply for the wrong permit type, causing delays and compliance risk when the assignment exceeds 90 days
• eHerkenning access: Accessing the UWV employer portal requires eHerkenning level 3, which takes additional setup time for companies new to Dutch immigration
• Visa coordination: Employees from non-visa-exempt countries still need a Schengen short-stay visa alongside the TWV, a parallel process that HR teams must manage separately