The Dutch government aims to create an attractive environment and welcomes knowledge workers and talent from abroad. The Netherlands is on the international list of most attractive countries to do business with.

The Dutch government has recently accepted a proposal on modernisation of the migration policy. The objective of the bill is to make the Netherlands more attractive for knowledge workers and specialists who are needed to further strengthen the Dutch economy, culture, and science. To achieve this, procedures will become more efficient and more effective!

 In anticipation of this bill, the Netherlands already introduced a special immigration policy for highly skilled migrants and researchers. In this section, you can read more about these special regulations and find out what to expect when planning on moving to the Southeast Netherlands.

The two main bodies involved in the immigration proces are the immigration and naturalisation service, the IND (immigratie- en naturalisatie dienst) and the personal records database of the municipal authotity, the GBA (gemeentelijke basis administratie). The IND implements immigration policy and makes decisions on residence permits, the GBA is where you register your entry into the Netherlands.

Source: Expat Guide Holland

International Service Desk Maastricht Region

The International Service Desk Maastricht Region opened in November 2009 to accommodate expatriates who are in the process of moving to the Maastricht Region. The desk is located in the Town Hall of Maastricht, next to the Municipalities Service Desk on the second floor. The Desk is established to assist foreign newcomers and businesses with basic information. Four computer screens provide information about living, working, settling and doing business in the region. The bare necessities, formalities, checklists and nice-to-know information is available through dedicated websites.

During 2010, Maastricht will expand the services of the International Service Desk to facilitate all nineteen towns in the region. Ultimately, the Desk should not only be a central point of information, but should also assist international knowledge workers in arranging their formal papers and organising their practical needs.

Starting April 1st 2010, Maastricht and Echt-Susteren will be the first municipalities in the region equipped to arrange international travel documents for Dutch people living in Belgium or Germany.

Opening hours

The desk will start operating self-service, i.e. without staff. Opening hours are the same as the Municipalities Service Desk:
Monday – Wednesday: 08.30 - 16.30 hours
Thursday : 08.30 - 19.00 hours
Friday: 08.30 - 12.30 hours