To work in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma
Did you study abroad and do you now want to work in the Netherlands? A credential evaluation shows which level in the Dutch educational system is comparable to your diploma. This information will help you find a job.
A credential evaluation is usually not mandatory, but an employer may ask for it. An employer or other organisation can also apply for the credential evaluation on your behalf. They do must ask your permission.
A credential evaluation is an advice; you cannot derive any legal rights from this document.
Before you apply
You do not always need to apply for a credential evaluation. Before applying for a credential evaluation, check whether your profession is regulated (protected) in the Netherlands, for example (para)medic, nurse or teacher. You can find out by checking the database of the European Commission. Tip: Under Search Options go to Professions Regulated in Country and select Netherlands.
Is your profession on the list? Then first contact the competent authority associated with that profession. They will tell you about the procedure you have to follow.
Is your profession missing from the list? Then yours is not a protected profession and you can apply for a credential evaluation directly.
Required documents
You need to upload several documents with your application. The documents you need depend on the diploma you want to have evaluated.
Check which documents are required before you submit your application. If your application is not complete, we will need to ask you for additional documents. This will delay the processing of your application.
View the Required documents.
Do you have (or have you held) the refugee status and are you missing required documents?
Are you unable to safely request missing documents from the country where you studied because of your refugee situation? You can still apply for a credential evaluation.We will assess whether we can provide a credential evaluation based on the documents you do have.
How to apply for a credential evaluation when you want to work in the Netherlands?
1.
Submitting an application
2.
Payment
3.
Following your application
4.
Receiving your credential evaluation
5.
Questions or complaint?
1. Submitting an application
Start an application on the website mijnidw.nl. Create an account using your email address and a password of your choice. After activating your account, you can start the application. Fill in all the required information and upload the required documents. There is no need to send (original/certified/legalised) documents by post or email unless we specifically ask you to. One diploma is evaluated per application.
Go to the step-by-step instruction for My IDW.
2. Payment
After submitting your application, you will receive a separate email from us with a payment link. A diploma evaluation costs €148.83. You can make the payment using methods such as iDEAL or credit card. Once we receive your payment, you will receive a confirmation email from us.
We will process your request once we have received the payment.
3. Following your application
You can follow the status of your application in your account. You will receive an email from us if any documents are missing. You can see which documents and information we need in your account.
When your application has been completed, it will be sent to our expertise centre. We will send you an email at this point. It may be that the credential evaluator has to request information from other countries, or original documents or other extra documentation from you. You will receive a message if that is necessary.
4. Receiving your credential evaluation
When your credential evaluation is ready, you will receive an email from us. From that time you will be able to download your credential evaluation from your account. The credential evaluation will remain available for download in your account and remains valid.
To download your credential evaluation you click in My IDW on the pdf-file.
The digital signature is not visible in the browser, but it is visible when you download and open the document in Adobe.
The credential evaluation remains available in your account for 3 years and remains valid.
5. Questions or complaint?
Do you have a question about your credential evaluation? Submit your request on Mijn IDW.
Is there an error in your credential evaluation, such as a spelling error in your name or the wrong date of birth? Submit your request on Mijn IDW. You will receive a corrected evaluation.
Do you disagree with your credential evaluation? Within 6 working weeks after the date mentioned on the credential evaluation, you can submit a complaint. Submit your request on Mijn IDW. The handling time for a complaint is 10 working weeks.