Reader question: Is there work for my Thai girlfriend in the Netherlands?

Dear Soi,

I don't think it's patronizing at all, and I'm sure an employment agency will feel the same way, I know this one hundred percent because I have worked a lot with employment agencies in the past, and because of the position I hold, I employ temporary workers myself and later also helped to get a permanent job.

There is nothing wrong with this gentleman gathering information for his girlfriend and asking what the possibilities are.
Not every person is equally independent and worldly wise, it is quite a step if you want to live and work in another country.
Each of us can probably still remember his first day of school, at least I do, and I remember I really had a bad feeling then, I think this lady will come to the Netherlands with about the same feelings and will apply for a job.

This lady indicates that she would like to work, which in itself is something that I have a lot of respect for, incidentally, I do not read anywhere that she wants to work for an international company as an English speaker.

It is important that she registers with a reputable employment agency, such as Manpower, Randstad, Tempo team, there she has rights and obligations and a fair salary, so not at such a retrospective employment agency with those blaze lighters who call your cows with golden horns. promise but never deliver.

Hello
We are not in 1990 when there was enough work here, now we have 800.000 unemployed.
My Thai sister-in-law has been at home for 1.1/2 years, she worked in childcare. Due to her poor Dutch, she was the first to fly out and is no longer available.
Can only work as a cleaning lady for a few hours a week.
So don't forget it for the next few years

@ Rori: A good summary indeed. Since 1 July 2013, the Netherlands has combined the TEV (Access & Residence) procedure, whereby the MVV (the authorization for temporary stay, or the Schengen D type entry visa”) and VVR (the regular residence permit) have been merged into 1 procedure. The VVR pass should be ready shortly after arrival. Registration in the municipality should also be possible within a few days of arrival (is even mandatory), depending on how fast the official moles run, you can therefore have all papers etc. completed within a few days to a few weeks. Including of course the BSN number. The residence permit will also start immediately from the day of arrival, so you should be able to start work almost immediately.

The practical problem is of course finding a job, but this depends on all kinds of factors: education, experience, language proficiency in English or the Netherlands, etc. The region where you apply, the accessibility of the work (can you cycle there? walk? with public transport? or with someone in the car?*) etc. My girlfriend and I spent months looking for work, did all kinds of applications from chambermaid to catering, shop service, cleaning, etc. Unfortunately, hardly any production work - without heavy physical strain - here where we live in the Randstad. We were often told or the vacancy stated that they were looking for people who have a good command of Dutch, yes also in the cleaning industry. The level A1 plus, so a little more than what you need to complete the exam at the embassy, ​​that wasn't enough anywhere. I guess her English is at level A2+, but we couldn't handle that either. The employment agencies here had hardly any vacancies at all, let alone for people with a language barrier and no Dutch papers. But in your region you may of course find that they can help you, so have a look around at the employment agencies in Eindhoven. My girlfriend eventually started doing voluntary work in the area first, this as a distraction and good for her resume because you don't want to have a huge amount of unemployment on your resume. A few months later we found a job in the cleaning industry. Where we didn't look was at Thai restaurants because that was the only place where my girlfriend really did NOT want to work.

Indeed, also take the integration into account, you have to go after this yourself, the government only wants the immigrant to pass at least the integration exam (A3 level) or the higher NT2 state exams (respectively B2 and B1 level Dutch) within 2 years. After arrival in the Netherlands, first arrange the VVR pass, the registration in the municipality and the TBC long photo. The latter is possible at the GGD, usually free of charge, but some GGDs charge money, so it may be cheaper to travel to another GGD. Also find out something for integration via http://www.inburgeren.nl . If you already have a plan of action about where and when she can take Dutch lessons, you can also see how this coincides with a job. Of course also take your time after she has arrived to enjoy each other together (short holiday? Does she know the area? Have you visited other places in the Netherlands?). After a few weeks, boredom quickly sets in, so some social contacts with Dutch people, Thai people and other people (fellow migrants at school) are a nice distraction.

For more information about arrival in the Netherlands, see also the well-known site Foreign Partner Foundation. Lots of general useful information about immigration and holidays to the Netherlands. Here the sub forum with info about what to do after arrival
http://www.buitenlandsepartner.nl/forumdisplay.php?12-Starterskit-Nieuw-in-Nederland

I wish you good luck, hopefully it will be all right and she will quickly find her way with a job, nice classmates and other social contacts, but if things go wrong you will be looking for a simple job for months. We experienced the necessary stress, in Thailand my girlfriend had a nice full-time job and for Thai standards a pretty reasonable salary and bachelor's paper, then she fell into a hole here, sitting at home will break you down after a few weeks of vacation. With perseverance you will get there and a good preparation is half the work! 🙂

Very good and brave of you to break off the relationship. I don't think she had the intention to come to the Netherlands at all if I read your story like this.
It says enough if she is going to set a time limit, not a good sign.

Sorry to hear that Gertjan. Of course I don't know you and her personally, so it remains total guesswork what the reason for that "impatience" is. A year goes by in no time, but within that year your (ex) girlfriend can still pass Dutch at A1 level for the exam at the embassy. It may remain a problem whether the Dutch partner (in this case you) can meet the income requirements of the IND within 1 year. I can imagine that as a partner you want security, you and them. Apparently she didn't get enough assurance from you. Whether that is right or not… who knows. You have done your best and hopefully fellow readers have also become a bit wiser. Good luck/success and follow your heart!