NL
ENFor employers
International talent when the local labour market falls short
SkillShift helps employers in the Netherlands and Belgium attract skilled professionals from the Philippines for roles that are structurally hard to fill locally. We combine recruitment in the Philippines with knowledge of labour migration, permits, documentation and employment structures.
One service, two starting points
From staffing need to a successful international placement
You are looking for Filipino professionals
SkillShift organises the international placement, from feasibility, recruitment and selection to permits, DMW deployment through the SkillShift route, preparation, relocation and onboarding.
- Recruitment
- Selection
- Permit
- Deployment
- Relocation
- Start
You have already found the candidate
A new recruitment assignment is then unnecessary. We review the existing case and join for permits, DMW deployment through the SkillShift route, documentation or relocation.
- Existing case
- Case review
- Outstanding parts
- Placement
- Start
The parts and their order vary by role, country, employment relationship and case.
We first assess whether international recruitment is possible
Before recruiting candidates abroad, the vacancy and intended employment structure must be assessed. For many routes, the shortage on the local labour market is an important part of that assessment. However, the way this is demonstrated differs per country and immigration category.
For example
- Under Dutch GVVA routes, labour-market considerations can be relevant.
- For Dutch Highly Skilled Migrants, eligibility is primarily based on the applicable Highly Skilled Migrant requirements, including recognised sponsorship and salary requirements, rather than a traditional labour-market test.
- In Flanders, occupations on the official migration list for intermediate-skilled roles already carry a presumption of structural shortage.
- Other Flemish occupations may require evidence that the employer could not find a suitable candidate locally.
This is a first, high-level feasibility assessment — not the full application procedure.
What SkillShift can provide
Recruitment in the Philippines
We source candidates through our Philippine network and assess professional background, experience and suitability for the vacancy.
Screening and matching
We assess qualifications, work history, language ability and practical employability before presenting candidates.
Feasibility and immigration assessment
Before starting a case, we assess the role, salary, employment structure and applicable immigration route.
Work permits and immigration
We support the appropriate permit or immigration route for the Netherlands or Belgium.
Documentation, housing, relocation and onboarding
We support document preparation, relocation, housing and the transition to working and living in Europe.
Direct employment or staffing
Depending on the country, role and immigration route, candidates can be recruited directly by the client or supplied through SkillShift using an appropriate staffing structure.
Philippine compliance
The Philippine side of recruitment matters too
When recruiting directly from the Philippines, employers are dealing with two regulatory systems. In the Netherlands or Belgium, the employee must qualify for the applicable residence and work route. At the same time, the Philippine rules for recruitment, documentation and departure for overseas employment must be met.
The Department of Migrant Workers regulates the recruitment of Overseas Filipino Workers and the requirements before departure. Workers must be properly documented before departure. This means, among other things, that:
- employer, recruitment and contract documentation may need to be registered or verified
- the employer/recruitment relationship may need to be documented
- insurance, medical fitness and pre-departure orientation may apply
- the departure documentation is established for each candidate, such as an OEC or valid digital exit clearance
- the requirements are checked per candidate, route and category
For recruitment, employer accreditation and deployment in the Philippines, SkillShift works through an established DMW-licensed Philippine recruitment organisation.
SkillShift coordinates Philippine deployment through its Philippine recruitment route as part of recruitment and international placement. If you already found the candidate, we can review the existing process and join from that point.
Read more about DMW requirements →Direct recruitment or flexible staffing
Direct employment
The employee enters directly into employment with the client. SkillShift supports:
- Recruitment
- Selection
- Immigration
- Documentation
- Relocation
This is suitable for employers who want to employ the professional themselves from the start.
Housing is not a standard part of the recruitment package for direct hires. Where wanted, SkillShift can develop a housing plan together with the employer and support the search for and coordination of suitable accommodation.
Housing for direct hires →Staffing / secondment
For some roles and immigration routes, SkillShift can employ the professional and make them available to the client through temporary employment or secondment. This can reduce the administrative burden for the client and can provide a faster or simpler structure in certain situations.
The availability of this structure depends on the country, immigration category and circumstances. For Belgian routes, this structure is not available in every case.
When SkillShift is the formal employer and the professional is deployed through an applicable staffing or secondment structure, suitable accommodation is arranged by SkillShift as standard.
More about housing & relocation →Choose your country
Employing Filipino professionals in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers different routes depending on the vacancy. These can include the GVVA route for regular employment and the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme for qualifying professional roles. SkillShift can support both direct employment and, where appropriate, staffing or secondment.
Employing in the NetherlandsEmploying Filipino professionals in Belgium
For long-term employment in Belgium, the applicable single permit route depends on factors including the occupation, skill level, salary and the labour-market situation. SkillShift assesses the vacancy before recruitment begins.
Employing in BelgiumNot sure which route applies?
The right structure depends on the role, salary, qualifications and employment model. We can assess your vacancy or existing case and establish which steps are still needed.
Discuss a vacancyI already have a Filipino candidate