ACCESS NL > Leaving the Netherlands > I am on a highly skilled migrant visa and due to the current Covid-19 situation, my contract has been terminated. What is the situation with my residence permit if I can’t find a job within 3 months?

Leaving the Netherlands

Do I need to deregister with the municipality before I leave the Netherlands?

What happens to my DigiD? Does everything get deactivated?

I have left before deregistering with the municipality - What should I do?

I have a Dutch bank account. Do I need to close it before I leave?

What should I do with my Dutch car?

What do I need to do with my rental property when I leave?

What options do I have with property that I own?

How do I sort out my utilities commitments before I leave?

How do I end my Dutch telephone contract agreements

How do I end my TV/internet contract agreements?

What should I do with things I can’t sell?

Who should I contact for help with moving house?

How do I sort out my tax situation?

As I am now leaving the Netherlands, can I get a tax rebate?

The country that I am moving to requires me to provide a translation of official documents which are in Dutch (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.). How do I do this?

For how long does my passport need to be valid for me to be able to leave and enter another country?

Will I still receive social security benefits when I leave the country?

I have Dutch health insurance. Will I still be covered once I have left the Netherlands?

Due to Covid-19, my contract has been cancelled and now I am unemployed. Am I eligible to claim [unemployment] benefits?

I’m leaving the Netherlands and I cannot visit the town hall in person. How do I de-register during the Covid-19 pandemic?

I received a letter to collect my updated residence card. I went to the office and it was closed. How can I collect the residence card during the Covid-19 pandemic?

I am on a highly skilled migrant visa and due to the current Covid-19 situation, my contract has been terminated. What is the situation with my residence permit if I can’t find a job within 3 months?

Holders of highly skilled migrant residence permits need to leave the country if they do not find a job within three months of becoming unemployed and cannot reside in the country on another basis. The job search period starts on the day the employment contract was terminated, not on the last day of actual work.

Overstaying a residence permit means being in the country illegally, which could have consequences for any future request for residency.

Those who no longer have the right to stay but are unable to leave the country due to Covid-19 travel restrictions need to ask for an extension of their residence document. If that is not possible, the government announced that it will be less strict in controlling people staying longer than is allowed. They are, however, expected to try to go back to their countries. For help in returning home they should contact their embassy or consulate in the Netherlands.

For general background information, please check our FAQ section on legal matters concerning immigration:

access-nl.org/relocating-to-netherlands/legal-matters/immigration-to-netherlands/.

At this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, I would like to help in any way possible. Are there any volunteering opportunities?

Can you tell me if there is any financial support for freelancers due to lost income caused by Covid-19?

What should I do if my temporary lease ends due to Covid-19?

Can I be evicted if I lose my job?

Can Covid-19 be a ground for terminating a rental contract prematurely on my behalf?

Can Covid-19 be a ground for terminating a rental contract prematurely on my behalf?