Apply Now: Move to the Netherlands for Free

Have you ever considered moving to the Netherlands for free? If you’re looking to study, there is a way for you to do it without spending too much money.

In this blog post, I’ll explain how to secure a scholarship that will cover your school and living expenses. More so, I’ll also explain how to get your visa and find a place to live. I assure you, it’s not that difficult.

Whether your goal is to study or simply move to the Netherlands for free, you’ll definitely find this post worth your time. So, dare to dream big and try something novel!

Move to the Netherlands for Free – The Orange Knowledge Programme

If you didn’t know this, the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is a scholarship program funded by the government of the Netherlands through its Ministry of Foreign affairs that supports professionals from developing countries to acquire knowledge and skills that are relevant to their countries’ development needs.

It aims to contribute to a society’s sustainable and inclusive development. Its scholarships are open to mid-career professionals in specific countries and available for a selection of;

• short courses (round 1: Duration 2 weeks to 12 months; round 2: Duration 2 weeks to 7 months).
• master’s programs (Duration 12 to 24 months)

The program focuses on key themes such as Food and Nutrition, Security, Water, Energy and Climate, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and Security and Rule of Law.

It is a fully funded scholarship that covers the following;

1. Living expenses
2. Health & liability insurance
3. Visa application costs
4. Tuition fees
5. Travel costs
6. Study materials

So, if you find your country in the list of eligible countries below and your career pathway cuts across one of the themes of the OKP, then you should consider applying for this opportunity to move to the Netherlands for free.

Move to the Netherlands for Free – The Orange Knowledge Programme Eligible Countries

Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, and Yemen.

As a side note, please note that the countries here are by no means exhaustive as they are subject to change. Please always refer to the program website to get a more updated list of eligible countries.

MUST READ: Move to New Zealand permanently in just 60 days

Move to the Netherlands for Free – Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Orange Knowledge Programme, you’ll need to meet the following requirements;

1. You must be a professional and national of, and working and living in one of the countries on the OKP country list.  

2. You must not be employed by an organisation which can be expected to have their own funds for staff development. Organisations that are considered to have their own means for staff development are for example: multinational corporations (e.g. Shell, Unilever, Microsoft), large national and/or a large commercial organisations, bilateral donor organisations (e.g. USAID, DFID, Danida, Sida, Dutch ministry of Foreign affairs, FinAid, AusAid, ADC, SwissAid), multilateral donor organisations, (e.g. a UN organisation, the World Bank, the IMF, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, IADB), international NGOs (e.g. Oxfam, Plan, Care);

3. You must have a current employer’s statement that complies with the format Nuffic has provided. All information must be provided and all commitments that are included in the format must be endorsed in the statement;

4. You must have a government statement that meets the requirements of the country in which the employer is established (if applicable);

5. You must have an official passport valid at least three months after the submission date of the registration form by the candidate;

6. You must not be nominated for more than one OKP scholarship for courses that take place at the same time.

7. You'll need to provide an employer statement that is signed by you and your employer. It shows us that your employer supports your application. And that you can share the knowledge and experience you gained in the Netherlands once you return to your country. This is required because the OKP is focused onstrengthening organisations by strengthening people.

8. If you're a civil servant, it might be necessary to sign a government statement. This certifies the support of your government for your OKP application.

Move to the Netherlands for Free – How to Apply

Step 1: If you want to apply for an OKP scholarship for a short course program in the Netherlands, you need to first find a course that is eligible for the scholarship. You can find the eligible courses in the Studyfinder study programs database, specifying in the search criteria: ‘OKP qualified’.

Step 2: Before you apply, make sure you review the eligibility criteria above carefully and check whether your employer is willing to nominate you for the scholarship. When you are certain that you are eligible for an OKP scholarship, you can start making the necessary preparations for your application.

Step 3: Please apply for your preferred university’s short course program via their website.

Step 4: Apply by submitting your OKP application. For the Short Course, you can register via this application form. Please be prepared to provide the following details and documents:

In the application, you need to provide your personal details, indicate which short course you want to register for and provide a motivational statement. You may also need to upload:

• a copy of a valid passport; 
• a statement from your employer (please use the OKP format);
• a statement from your government (if applicable to your country, please use the OKP format). 

Your application must be complete with all the required documentation according to the required formats. Applications that are not submitted according to the required process and format will not be accepted.

Application Deadlines

The application typically runs twice a year;

Round 1: submit applications between 8 February – 30 March 16.00 CET for courses starting between 24 July 2023 and 31 January 2024.

Round 2: submit applications between 28 June – 5 September at 16.00 CET for courses starting after 1 February 2024.

Move to the Netherlands for Free – Conclusion

I hope by now, you can see how this opportunity can help you move to the Netherlands for free. As a fully funded scholarship, you won’t have to bother about anything as it’s all done for you. My advice to you is to put in an application today before the round 1 deadline. The best time to start is now. If you’ve got questions or need clarification on anything, please leave a comment.

APPLY NOW!!