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FlashNetherlandsSeptember 29, 2026

Amsterdam Makes Asylum Seeker Employment Program Permanent, Seeks Work Permit Exemption

PublishedEditorial policy

Amsterdam City Council has approved making its asylum seeker employment program permanent after a pilot project successfully placed 332 individuals in jobs over 18 months. The council is also urging the national government to remove the work permit requirement for this group.

Netherlands immigrationAmsterdam jobsAsylum seekers employmentWork permitsDutch labor marketНидерланды

Key takeaways

  • Amsterdam is making its asylum seeker employment program permanent after a successful pilot, which saw 332 individuals employed within 18 months.
  • The City Council is requesting the national government to abolish the work permit requirement, aiming to simplify hiring for employers and accelerate refugee integration.
  • This decision could impact labor market accessibility in the Netherlands and employment conditions for all migrant categories if the national government supports the initiative.

Amsterdam Solidifies Asylum Seeker Employment Initiative

Amsterdam is making its program to help asylum seekers find paid employment a permanent fixture. A pilot project demonstrated significant success, with over 1,000 refugees securing work, and 332 individuals specifically placed in jobs within an 18-month period. Following this positive outcome, the City Council has voted to implement the scheme permanently.

In parallel, the council is appealing to the national government with a specific proposal: to abolish the work permit requirement for this category of individuals. Currently, employers must obtain a work permit, which creates an administrative barrier for both companies and the asylum seekers themselves.

Should the national government agree to this proposal, the process would be significantly simplified, leading to less bureaucracy and faster integration into the labor market. For individuals already in the Netherlands or planning to relocate, this could signify a more open labor market and fewer obstacles when seeking employment.

Sources

Based on Emigro corridor reporting. Primary links below.

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