From around the world, the Dutch hospitality sector has long relied on culinary skills. In the Netherlands, Asian cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese and more have a special place. The necessity for skilled Asian chefs has increased along with the desire for real Asian eateries and chefs. An outline of the current visa procedures and how INLS may assist is provided below.
Asian Cuisine ascent in the Netherlands
Almost in every Dutch city, Asian restaurants are now built. Chefs must be trained in their own nations to produce authentic cuisine and skills. This growing demand originally led to a dedicated visa route for Asian cooks.
The Regulation of the Asian Catering Industry
The main goal of the scheme
From 2014, the Asian Catering Industry Regulation allowed restaurants to hire qualified Asian cooks more easily. Employers could apply for a combined residence and work permit (GVVA) without first proving that no EU candidate was available.
The requirements for the qualifications
Cooks had to hold level 4–6 culinary qualifications (speciality cook, sous-chef, all-round cook, or chef). Restaurants also had to report vacancies and offer training or internships.
The scheme’s end
This special route ended on 1 July 2024 due to concerns about misuse and compliance. Employers and cooks must now use general immigration frameworks.
Asian Hospitality Workers’ Current Visa
Although the special scheme is gone, several legal routes remain for non-EU hospitality staff. The most relevant are:
The GVVA (Combined Residence and Work Permit)
This permit allows non-EU nationals to live and work in the Netherlands. The employer applies, often needing a labour market test by the UWV. Salary and qualification criteria apply, making it more demanding than the old scheme.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Visa
This route targets high-level roles with higher salary thresholds. It requires an employer that is a Recognised Sponsorship IND. While rare for standard cooks, it can work for senior chefs or managers in hospitality.
The EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card covers highly skilled non-EU workers under EU rules. It needs a high salary and recognized qualifications. It is mainly for senior or specialist roles but remains an option for top-level culinary positions.
Different types of permits
Intra-Corporate Transfers and other niche permits may apply where cooks are transferred within international hospitality groups.
Some key terms to understand
IND Recognised Sponsorship
A recognised sponsor is a company approved by the IND to hire foreign nationals for specific residence/work permits. Conditions include reliability, financial health, and compliance with labour law. Recognition speeds up processing and reduces paperwork. For employers planning to hire non-EU skilled workers, especially via the highly skilled migrant visa, it is almost indispensable.
The Highly Skilled Migrant Visa
Also called the “kennismigrant” permit, the HSM Visa is for high-skilled individuals recruited by recognised sponsors. Salary thresholds vary by age and status (recent graduates vs. experienced). Holders usually do not need a separate work permit, and recognised sponsors get faster decisions from the IND.
Discontinuing the Special Asian Catering Program’s Implications
Advantages of the Change
The new approach creates uniform rules, increases transparency, and strengthens protection against abuse. It ensures fair wages and training opportunities.
Barriers for the employees and employers
There is now more paperwork, stricter salary thresholds, and a need to meet general criteria. Smaller restaurants or lower-level cooking roles may find the new system financially challenging.
INLS supports employers and Workers in the Hospitality industry
Tools for Employers
INLS (Immigration Netherlands Services) guides restaurants through the current immigration rules. Although the special regulation has ended, INLS advises on GVVA, work permits, and routes via recognised sponsor status.
Applications for the Recognised IND Sponsorship
The firm manages applications for Recognised Sponsorship IND status, vital for hiring under the HSM Visa. This includes preparing documents and ensuring compliance with wages, training, and reporting obligations.
Individual candidate support
INLS helps skilled workers prepare residence/work permit applications, diploma recognition, and salary proofs. They also assist with appeals and ongoing compliance.
Some actions for the Restaurants and Chefs
Analyse the Qualifications
Identify whether the role is a speciality cook, sous-chef, or chef. Check if diplomas are recognized in the Netherlands.
Review the limits of Salary
Ensure the offered salary meets the minimum set by the IND or relevant collective agreements.
Recognised IND Sponsor
Employers planning to hire non-EU skilled workers should apply for recognised sponsor status to gain faster processing and fewer obstacles.
Go with the right visa route
Match the worker’s role and qualifications to the most suitable permit—HSM Visa, GVVA, EU Blue Card, or another route.
Arrange your documents
Gather contracts, diplomas, proof of experience, and company records. Translate or have them officially recognized where needed.
Considering processing times
Understand the legal decision times. Recognised sponsors often get faster decisions but still must comply with reporting obligations.
Get help from experts
Because immigration law is complex and changing, consult firms like INLS to avoid pitfalls and ensure compliance.
Dutch hospitality immigration trends in the future
The continuous need for Asian chefs
Asian cuisines remain highly popular, meaning skilled chefs from Asia will still be sought after.
Maintaining regularly
The government may refine skilled-worker regulations, shift salary thresholds, or introduce new frameworks to address shortages.
Increased inspection
Expect ongoing checks on labour market tests, employer obligations, and training or apprenticeships within establishments.
Conclusion
To work in the Netherlands for qualified asian hospitality workers, there are many options, even though the unique Asian Catering Industry program is no longer in place. Employee status, meeting conditions of qualifications and salary and going with the options of a correct visa, such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa, GVVA, or EU Blue Card, are the main factors for the employer.
With the professional support of INLS, concentrated planning and documents, both restaurant owners and culinary professionals may continue to effectively negotiate Dutch immigration laws and maintain the prosperity of real Asian food in the Netherlands.
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