Orientation Year Residence Permit (Graduates)
For recent graduates applying for an orientation year after study.
The full Dutch Orientation Year Residence Permit (Graduates) process
Search for Housing
Search on the Dutch rental portals and through agents, but filter on one thing above price: whether you may register at the address in the Personal Records Database (BRP). A room let by a landlord who does not permit registration cannot give you a BSN, and without a BSN you cannot get DigiD, a bank account, health insurance or a salary -- so "inschrijving mogelijk" / registration allowed is a hard requirement, not a preference. Have your document pack ready before you view, because good listings are taken within days: passport, proof of income or a guarantor, an employer or university letter, and recent bank statements. Expect to be asked for a deposit of one to two months' rent, and note that agency fees charged to a tenant for finding a property are not permitted. No cost or lead time is shown because rent is a market price and the deposit and fees scale with it.
🔗 Official linkSecure housing (residential address)
Signing is the step that unlocks everything after arrival, because the municipality registers you to an address and the BSN follows from that registration -- so what you actually need is not just a roof but an address you are permitted to register at. Before you sign, check that the contract names you as tenant, states the rent and the service charges separately, and that registration in the Personal Records Database is allowed; if the landlord refuses registration, walk away however good the room is. Read the notice period and the minimum term, and photograph the meter readings and the condition of every room on the day you get the keys -- that is your evidence when the deposit is settled. Keep a PDF of the signed contract: the municipality, your employer, your insurer and the utility companies will each ask for it. No cost or lead time is shown because rent, deposit and fees are market prices.
🔗 Official linkRegister at municipality (BRP & BSN)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkPost-arrival steps are part of the full flow. Start free to track your pre-arrival progress, then unlock the 16 post-arrival steps when you land.Apply for Orientation Year permit
Graduate/researcher applies for orientation year (zoekjaar) within 3 years of graduation.
⏱ ~90 days💶 €254🔗 Official linkCollect residence permit card
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkSet Up Energy & Water Contracts
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkSet Up Internet Contract
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkOpen a bank account
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkApply for DigiD
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkActivate MijnOverheid account
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkObtain health insurance
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkRegister with a GP (doctor)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkArrange home & liability insurance
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkRegister business with KVK (if applicable)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkApply for tax allowances (toeslagen)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkApply for 30% tax ruling
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkOpen a business bank account
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
File Dutch taxes (M-form)
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official linkExchange foreign driver’s license
Detailed instructions, official links and progress tracking for this step are included in the full flow.
🔗 Official link
Track this journey instead of reading about it
Turn this guide into a personal checklist: tick off steps, keep your documents together, and always know what comes next.