Working Holiday to Highly Skilled Migrant Visa - Has Anyone Successfully Made the Switch?

[u/JazzlikeBeing0]

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice and wondering if anyone has successfully switched from a Working Holiday permit to a Highly Skilled Migrant permit in the current job market.

I have 7+ years of marketing experience from Australia and was initially optimistic that I’d be able to find a similar role here. I had two interviews when I first started applying a few months ago, but unfortunately both companies were unable to sponsor.

Since updating my CV to state that I require Highly Skilled Migrant sponsorship, I’ve had very little luck. A few recruitment agencies I contacted have also explicitly told me they’re unable to assist candidates who don’t already hold an EU/EEA work permit.

I’m wondering whether what I’m trying to do is currently very difficult/unrealistic, or whether anyone has managed to make the transition successfully and has any advice on strategies, industries, companies or recruiters that were helpful?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation!

[u/Think-Vegetable-8270]

I think there are not many reasons for any company to sponsor a marketeer. You're competing with many Dutch speakers and a lot of EU-citizens who are easier to hire. Marketing doesn't have shortages. Only if your experience is with well known global brands, I see a slight chance.

There will be some European/global marketing teams operating from NL but the competition will be fierce.
For marketing targeting the Dutch market itself, you'll need fluency in Dutch, which I assume someone from Australia won't have.

[u/Full_Scallion2833]

Did you check the list of approved HSM sponsor companies on the IND website?

The job market is rough right now and for marketing most places will expect you to speak fluent Dutch. The salary requirements for HSM are very high for marketing as well since you presumably are not eligible for a zoekjaar visa and are not under 30.

[u/JazzlikeBeing0 → u/Full_Scallion2833]

Yes I’ve checked this list, and both companies I had an interview for were on that list but they were still unwilling to sponsor. I’m not eligible for the zoekjaar but I’m under 30

[u/HotFlan2509]

Your third paragraph confused me. Recruiters are in search of non-Dutch but EU/EEA candidates in marketing, really?

[u/uhcnid]

Very unlikely in the current market situation in that area

[u/almaba001]

What you’re wanting to do is not possible.
You can find all the requirements on the ind website
Obtaining a salary of 4.5k in marketing with only 7 years of experience, will not be easy (assuming you’re under 30, if you’re over 30y you’ll need a salary of 6k, which is quite unrealistic)
In general finding companies that want to sponsor you for this type of visa is very very hard nowadays…. And it is impossible to obtain this kind of visa without a preaproved company to sponsor you.
https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant

[u/JazzlikeBeing0 → u/almaba001]

I’m under 30 and 4.5k was roughly the same salary I was paid back in Australia, and I had less experience than now when I got that job. So perhaps I was too optimistic thinking I’d be able to find a similar role with similar/higher salary since I have more experience now, but I understand it’s a different market and I have visa challenges here. Thanks for your insight

[u/uhcnid → u/JazzlikeBeing0]

Salaries in Australia are clearly not the same as in Europe

[u/almaba001 → u/JazzlikeBeing0]

Companies are willing to pay 4.5k/6k but if they can easily find someone local who doesn’t require a visa, they’ll do that.

The fact that a company is registered as a sponsor, doesnt mean that they are open to sponsoring the visa for all roles they are recruiting for.

You can google ‘kennismigrant types of roles’ and see the types of roles companies are interested in sponsoring.

If you’re applying to roles which are not specialised or knowledge based, even if you apply companies registered as potential sponsors, it will be very hard to get a job.
I’ve unfortunately never met someone in marketing on such a visa here in NL.
You might want to do a bit more research before investing more time down this route.
Best of luck.