Work & Study

As a Ukrainian refugee, you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. Read on refugeehelp.nl/werkvoorwaarden what you need for this and on refugeehelp.nl/werkcultuur more about the work culture in Dutch organisations. The central government also has information for foreigners who want to work in the Netherlands.

Looking for work

The Employer Services Desk (WSP) can help you find suitable work in the Amersfoort region. Go to the Werkcentrum Amersfoort region website and fill in the contact form. The WSP will then contact you as soon as possible for an interview. This can be done in Dutch, English, or with an interpreter. You can also look at the calendar of the Werkcentrum to see whether there will be another interesting job fair for you soon.

For those who already have a good knowledge of Dutch, there is also the option of enrolling in a counselling programme at Training for status holders in search of employment - Itzinya Seed.

You can also visit the Ukrainian social and cultural centre Palianytsia.hub at Torenstraat 3. They provide information about educational and career opportunities in the Netherlands, either individually or in workshops. Follow Palianytsia.hub on Facebook or @palianytsia.hub on Instagram, or email us at palianytsia.hub@gmail.com.

Starting your own business as long as you are covered by the RTB is nearly impossible. Read about the conditions on refugeehelp.nl/eigenbedrijf.

For more job opportunities, visit refugeehelp.nl/finding-work.

To gain work experience in the Netherlands, practice your Dutch or get to know people, you can also volunteer. Check the Amersfoort volunteer job board for vacancies.

Did you not receive wages for work or were you exploited in any other way? Or see it happen to someone else? Unfortunately, employers sometimes try to exploit refugees by not paying them their wages or treating them unfairly in other ways. You can read about how you recognise this and what you can do at refugeehelp.nl/working-safely.

With a secondary school diploma, you can go on to study. You can find information about the opportunities available in the Netherlands at refugeehelp.nl/studying. 

Study costs

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older and is following a course in an MBO BOL (school-based vocational training pathway) or VAVO (full-time) must pay tuition fees . You will receive the invoice for this in mid-September. Anyone covered by the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine (RTB) can apply for a waiver via Tuition fees: Asylum seeker or Ukrainian - DUO. Do this before you pay the invoice, because you can't get your money back afterwards.

Dutch universities of applied science and universities choose what fee to charge Ukrainian students. If you plan to study in the new academic year starting in September, make sure to ask what fee you will have to pay. Would you like to find out if there are funding options for you? Consult VluchtelingenWerk, you can find their contact details at the bottom of this website. The UAF can provide support and financial aid to a limited number of Ukrainian students. The UAF is a fund that helps refugees who want to study. Visit the UAF website.

You can take Dutch language lessons:

• via DigiTaalhuis Amersfoort in the library. During their consultation hours, you can get advice about it, practice online and more. After talking about what you already know and what you would like to learn, you may be invited to join a language learning group that suits you. You can also email them at: digitaalhuisamersfoort@bibliotheekeemland.nl. You can also register via the Information shops of Indebuurt033. Sign up, even if the groups are full. If enough applications are received, they will make efforts to start additional groups. During school holidays, the DigiTaalhuis is closed.
• Through Capabel Taal at different levels. For more information and to sign up: Learning Dutch at Capabel Taal
• online, free of charge: via refugeehelp.nl/nederlandse-taal or Oefenen.nl
• via NTI or Future Learn (online, for those who can afford the course fee).