NFP alumni no longer able to extend their stay
16 May 2011
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has restricted the possibilities to request a residence permit for an "orientation year for highly-educated persons". This has consequences for NFP fellowship holders.
The NFP programme is part of the development cooperation policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme aims to help alleviate qualitative and quantitative shortages of skilled manpower through sustainable capacity building. More specifically, the programme is focused on meeting staff development needs within a wide range of governmental, non-governmental and private organisations. This can only be achieved if fellowship holders return to their home country after completing their studies to apply and share their newly acquired skills and knowledge. Therefore, after graduation, NFP fellowship holders can no longer extend their stay for a one-year period to find a job as a highly skilled migrant as this is not in line with the aim of the programme.
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