Netherlands Supports Retaining International Students Despite Policy to Curb Enrolment
The Dutch government has taken a significant step toward retaining international students post-graduation, even as it continues to pursue policies aimed at reducing overall international enrolments. A recent resolution backed by three coalition parties calls for an action plan to encourage skilled graduates to stay in the Netherlands, a move welcomed by higher education institutions and labor market experts.
The motion, which received substantial political support in January, urges the government to facilitate international students’ transition into the Dutch workforce. The call for action comes amid concerns over labor shortages and declining numbers of skilled international workers, as revealed by recent data from the country’s Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Universities Applaud, But Warn of Contradictions
Dutch universities have expressed cautious optimism about the government’s new focus on talent retention. Nuffic, the Netherlands’ key organization for internationalization in education, welcomed the resolution, emphasizing its potential benefits for higher education institutions, Dutch students, and critical economic sectors.
“It shows that these coalition parties recognize the value of international talent for the Netherlands, particularly in sectors facing severe labor shortages,” Nuffic stated.
However, the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), representing 14 leading Dutch institutions, highlighted contradictions in the government’s approach. A spokesperson from UNL pointed out that while the resolution aims to increase the stay rate of international graduates, it clashes with ongoing budget cuts and policies that restrict the influx of new international students.
“The government can make plans to increase the stay rate, but if students stop coming at all—especially in fields with severe labor shortages—then this effort will be pointless,” the spokesperson warned.
Addressing Labor Shortages and Language Barriers
The resolution comes at a time when the Netherlands is grappling with labor market gaps. Research by Nuffic in 2023 found that over half of international students left the country after graduation due to difficulties finding employment. Among those who stayed, 70% encountered challenges with Dutch language requirements in job vacancies.
In response, the government has indicated that its focus is not just on attracting students but also equipping them with the necessary skills to integrate into the workforce. One proposed measure involves expanding Dutch language and cultural training programs within universities to better prepare international students for employment in the Netherlands.
Policy Tensions Remain
Despite the positive reception of the motion, the government is still pursuing its ‘Internationalisation in Balance’ Bill, which aims to limit the number of English-taught degree programs. According to UNL, this policy could lead to a “sharp drop” in international enrolments, ultimately harming the quality of education, research, and the labor market.
Criticism of the government’s internationalisation policy has come from various sectors, including border regions experiencing population decline and major corporations reliant on international talent. The passing of the resolution, however, could indicate a slight policy shift toward retaining skilled graduates rather than simply reducing international student numbers.
Political Backing and Next Steps
The resolution, introduced by the Dutch branch of the Volt Europa party, passed the House of Representatives with a strong majority of 101 votes. It was supported by coalition parties VVD, NSC, and BBB but did not receive backing from the largest party, PVV.
During parliamentary discussions, the Dutch Minister of Employment endorsed the motion, emphasizing that it strictly concerns retaining international students who are already in the Netherlands rather than increasing overall enrolments. However, it remains uncertain how this stance will translate into concrete policies, particularly in the face of ongoing legislative efforts to scale back internationalisation in higher education.
As the Dutch government moves forward with both the resolution and broader internationalisation policies, stakeholders in higher education and industry will be watching closely to see whether the country can strike a balance between maintaining academic excellence, meeting labor market needs, and managing international student numbers.
