Upon arrival in the Netherlands, certain foreign nationals will need to undergo a medical screening for tuberculosis (TB). The first screening, which must be completed within three months of having received your residence permit, is mandatory under the Aliens Act and is also a condition that must be agreed to when applying for a work and residence permit in the Netherlands. The test sometimes has to be repeated, which will depend on the rate of TB in the country you come from.
You are exempt from having to undergo a TB screening in the following situations:
You are a national of one of the countries listed in this appendix.
You already have a valid residence permit in the Netherlands and you are applying for a different residence permit.
You were born in the Netherlands and have always lived there.
You have already undergone a TB screening in the Netherlands less than 6 months ago.
You have a residence permit as a long-term European Union (EU) resident issued by another member state. Or you are a family member of a person with a residence permit as a long term EU resident, and you live with this family member in another member state.
If you have to undergo a TB screening upon arrival, please tick the box on your work and residence permit application forms. There will be two appendices to prepare and fill out:
The appendix Declaration of intent to undergo a TB test. Your case manager will help you fill out this form, and it will be submitted to the IND alongside the main application forms and other required documents.
The appendix TB test referral form. Your case manager will help you fill out this form, but you will need to keep it with you. Within three months of having received your residence permit, you need to make an appointment with the public health care service, so-called GGD, to undergo a TB screening. You need to bring the referral form to the appointment. The GGD will complete the form with a signature and will then send it to the IND to confirm you have been screened. If you find it difficult, your case manager can assist you with scheduling an appointment.
Your test results will be assessed by the GGD, but they are not disclosed to the IND. If the test result is good, as in negative, you will not be notified. You will only be informed if the screening has revealed any abnormalities. Additional testing might be needed, if that's the case. Keep in mind, if the GGD invites you for a follow-up appointment, it is important you actually go, both for you and for the people around you. If you do have TB, you will be treated as soon as possible. TB and treatment for TB are not reasons to refuse a work and residence permit. In principle, you will be able to complete the treatment in the Netherlands.