Publication of STEMTALENT4NL recommendations and roadmap

THE HAGUE – IOM the Netherlands is proud to announce the publication of the ‘STEMTALENT4NL Recommendations and Roadmap’ report.

This milestone marks the culmination of a collaborative effort of the IOM together with the Dutch Ministry of Asylum and Migration and the European Commission Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) to better attract and retain highly skilled international talent in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Special thanks to the European Union for funding this initiative via the Technical Support Instrument.

“We are very happy to have provided technical support through the STEMTALENT4NL project for the past 18 months [...]. It remains crucial to enhance the Netherlands’s capacity to attract and retain skilled migrants, in line with the labour shortages in the STEM fields. The Netherlands is at the forefront of implementing transformative reforms in climate adaptation, energy transition, and digitalization; all of which demand a robust pool of STEM expertise. It is important to not only attract top-tier international talent but also to retain expertise residing within the Netherlands”, said Fabien Sambussy, Chief of Mission, IOM The Netherlands.

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Orientation Year Permit (‘verblijfsvergunning zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden’)¹ and presents actionable recommendations alongside a practical roadmap for implementation. This all providing concrete steps for improving the Orientation Year Permit and fostering a more inclusive and dynamic environment for global talent. With these recommendations, the Netherlands can ensure it remains a competitive destination for international STEM professionals.
By engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and conducting in-depth research by evaluating the Orientation Year Permit, the project lays a strong foundation for future policy development and ecosystem support.

The highlights from the report are:

1. Policy streamlining: The report calls for adjustments to the legislative and administrative framework, including updated titles and concurrent diploma recognition to expedite procedures.
2. Enhanced supporting ecosystem: To better attract and retain international talent, the report recommends stronger information provision, improved access to language and orientation services, and closer coordination between universities and employers.
3. Phased implementation strategy: The roadmap is structured across short-, medium-, and long-term phases, addressing both immediate procedural improvements and longer-term systemic reforms.

¹We extend our sincere thanks to all partners and stakeholders who contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives throughout this process.

Read the full recommendations and roadmap here

 ¹The Orientation Year Permit creates the possibility for an immigrant to have one year after their studies, PhD or research to find a job or start a business in the Netherlands

Contact

For questions, interview requests and more, please contact:
Sandra Kluivers, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.