Hire workers from India & Asia in Netherlands
Direct hiring of non-EU blue-collar workers in the Netherlands is close to impossible: the GVVA single permit requires a UWV labour-market test proving no EU candidate is available, and it is rarely passed for drivers, warehouse or production roles. Where ManBe can help Dutch employers is with roles the test can clear — specialised trades with a thin European labour pool — and with engineers and managers hired as highly skilled migrants through a recognised sponsor. Every hire is direct, on the Dutch employer's payroll.
Talk to SalesRarely granted
Direct GVVA for blue-collar
12–16 weeks
GVVA timeline
Highly skilled migrant
Skilled route
2–4 weeks
Skilled route timeline
Permit routes in Netherlands
Combined residence and work permit (GVVA) with a strict UWV labour-market test — rarely granted for blue-collar roles; the highly skilled migrant route is fast for qualifying salaries.
| Route | Who it's for | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GVVA (single permit) | Non-EU workers hired directly by a Dutch employer for more than 3 months | IND decision up to 90 days after a 5-week UWV vacancy test | UWV requires proof that no Dutch/EU/EEA candidate is available; for drivers, warehousing and production this test is almost never met. |
| Highly skilled migrant | Engineers, managers above the IND salary threshold | 2–4 weeks for a recognised sponsor | Fast, but only for qualifying salaries. |
How ManBe recruits for the Netherlands
We are direct about this: for truck drivers, warehouse and production staff, applying for a Dutch GVVA is usually a waste of three months. UWV must be satisfied that nobody in the EU/EEA could fill the role after a five-week vacancy test, and such applications are rejected in most cases. We will tell you that before you spend the fee, not after.
Where a direct hire works. Engineers, planners and managers above the highly-skilled-migrant salary threshold can be hired directly in weeks through a recognised sponsor. Specialised trades with a genuinely thin European labour pool and a documentable skill can clear the GVVA test when the recruitment evidence is thorough — we build that evidence with you.
Every hire is direct. The worker signs an employment contract with your company and goes on your payroll; ManBe handles sourcing, trade testing, the permit file and arrival. We do not employ workers ourselves and hire them out.
If you use agency or posted workers. The Netherlands is introducing mandatory admission for labour suppliers (the Wtta), enforced from 2028 and covering foreign suppliers too. Our GVVA guide explains what to check.
Permit rules on this page last checked: October 2026.
Sources: www.everaert.nl. Rules change — we verify the current position before every order.
OUR PROCESS
A transparent, four-step journey to the perfect hire:
Brief & Blueprint
We kick off with a detailed intake role specs, culture fit, KPIs.
Search & Shortlist
Our talent network and AI-driven matching deliver a hand-picked shortlist.
Interview & Validate
We coordinate interviews, administer assessments and finalize compliance.
Place & Support
From offer acceptance to relocation logistics, we stay by your side.
Sectors we place in Netherlands
Truck & Trailer Drivers
Long-haul and regional C+E drivers are the roles ManBe has placed most: over 5,000 drivers have gone to work in Lithuania through our network.
Warehouse & Forklift Operators
Order pickers, forklift and reach-truck operators, loaders and inventory clerks for logistics hubs, e-commerce fulfilment and cold storage.
Skilled Professionals
Site supervisors, production engineers, maintenance technicians, fleet managers and other mid-level professionals who lead the blue-collar teams we place.
Hiring in Netherlands — FAQ
- Rarely in practice — the GVVA labour-market test is seldom passed for driving, warehouse or production roles. We will tell you honestly whether your role has a realistic chance before you apply.
- No. ManBe recruits for direct employment only: the worker is hired by your company. If you use agency or posted workers from another supplier, check that the supplier is preparing for the Dutch Wtta admission system, which is enforced from 2028.
- Around five weeks of UWV vacancy testing, then an IND decision of up to 90 days, plus an entry visa where the nationality requires one — 12 to 16 weeks for a file that passes the test.
- Engineers and managers above the IND salary threshold can be hired directly as highly skilled migrants, usually within a month if you are a recognised sponsor.
“ManBe Group helped us hire skilled professionals quickly and without complications. Their screening, compliance and onboarding support was amazing.”
Peter Hangsby
HR Head
HIRING IN NETHERLANDS?
Tell us the roles, headcount and start date. We reply within 24 hours with the Netherlands permit route, a realistic timeline and a shortlist plan.
- ✓ Reply within 24 hours on working days
- ✓ Walk-in interviews and skills tests in the source country
- ✓ Permits, visas, travel and onboarding handled end-to-end