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  • Member Type: Expatica Member
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  • Last Update: November 5, 2012
  • Joined: June 17, 2012

HappyBird

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  • Forum Posts(51)
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    Nobody feels "bad" about what a textbook reader says in the textbook. I have never be able to finish reading your comment every time because I'm tired of reading things that only the writer wants to show off what he/she tries to show off.
    • November 5, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    Christian Barth & Avocado, did you mix up with another topic? The subject didn't say she is from EU. She may come here for family reunion from a non-EU country of origin
     
    By the way, this is her 1st year out of the 5-year permit. It is still a long ...  more    Christian Barth & Avocado, did you mix up with another topic? The subject didn't say she is from EU. She may come here for family reunion from a non-EU country of origin
     
    By the way, this is her 1st year out of the 5-year permit. It is still a long way for any rights of permanent permit. Taking the tough reality that the economic crisis may take much longer to work itself out, it's better to focus on these 5 years than 7 years yet to come.  
    • November 5, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    Regarding Deltawerken, go to deltawerken.com.
    • November 4, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    I hate the way which UWV tries to keep some applications away. It is like thief. We don't have the right to withhold the social security premier from our paycheques, but they have the "right" to withhold our rights.
    The chance that IND and the social as...  more    I hate the way which UWV tries to keep some applications away. It is like thief. We don't have the right to withhold the social security premier from our paycheques, but they have the "right" to withhold our rights.
    The chance that IND and the social assistance agency do exchange their information is quite slim, is it so? If she herself also has a job which pays up to the minimum income requirement for the verbijfsvergunning, will the financial status of her Dutch partner still affect it?  
    • November 4, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    Ouloveit3, how could you use the word "sucked"? Last time I used it, they put **** on it.
     
    Severance payment is regarded as income in NL, not compensation. So tax, tax, tax ! In many countries (not only NL), they only consider the source of income r...  more    Ouloveit3, how could you use the word "sucked"? Last time I used it, they put **** on it.
     
    Severance payment is regarded as income in NL, not compensation. So tax, tax, tax ! In many countries (not only NL), they only consider the source of income rather than where the employee physically is. And also they don't consider where you will be. Would you stay or leave after you pay the tax? This is not any point of consideration in subjecting you to the tax or not.
     
    An example :  A Dutch national decides she would leave NL after she receives the severance payment.  But 2 months later, she changes her mind, she comes back to NL.  Then what? Should she pay back the tax on the severance payment?  "Oh, no!  I don't want to pay." Then she decides again to leave NL.  Then what?  Should the tax department keep every single track of whereabout of people in order to decide whether she should pay the tax or not?  less
    • November 4, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    By the end of my inburgeringsexamen, the examiner advised me go for Staatsexamen Level B1 as he thought I've potential of it. So for Level B1 or above, they usually call it Staatsexamen. They don't call it NT2 although the full name is Staatsexamen NT2 (N...  moreBy the end of my inburgeringsexamen, the examiner advised me go for Staatsexamen Level B1 as he thought I've potential of it. So for Level B1 or above, they usually call it Staatsexamen. They don't call it NT2 although the full name is Staatsexamen NT2 (Nederlandse Taal als tweede taal). There are Programma I and II. Programma I is equivalent to Level B1, Programma II is equivalent to Level B2. These are higher levels to Level A2. People usually take these Staatsexamen for study for a practice such as a nurse/car repairman (Level B1) or going to local schools/university (Level B2). For inburgering, at this moment you can either choose to take the "portfolio" examen or the new "inburgeringsexamen". Level A1 is not good enough, but Level A2 is, for the "inburgeringsdiploma". With this diploma, you can apply for permanent residential permit or Dutch nationality.
     
    If you can acquire Level B1 or B2, wow! Of course these higher level is accepted for the application of permanent residential permit or Dutch passpo...    less
    • November 3, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Travel & Transport in the Netherlands:
    Yes, you can buy it in bookstores. Better buy it in that city as bookstores there offer more choices and they have a much detailed road maps for their own city.
    • November 3, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    What do you mean by NT2?
    Oud inburgeringsexamen (up to 1 January 2015)
    1. Kennis Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS)
    2. Toets Gesproken Nederlands (TGN)...  more    What do you mean by NT2?
    Oud inburgeringsexamen (up to 1 January 2015)
    1. Kennis Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS)
    2. Toets Gesproken Nederlands (TGN)
    3. Elektronisch PraktijkExamen (EPE)
    4. Praktijkexamen (portfolio of assesment)
    Nieuw inburgeringsexamen (from 1 January 2013)
    1. Kennis Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS)
    2. Toets Gesproken Nederlands (TGN)
    3. Leesexamen
    4. Luisterexamen
    5. Schrijfexamen
    Or you mean by the old-old exams which existed before the "portfolio" one?  
    • November 2, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    As shown by "ldyparadox99" under another topic Inburgeringscursus, you can check by the website blikopwerk.nl. Click on the left side "INBURGEREN". There you can find a list of "approved" schools providing courses all round NL. Just specify your choice to...  moreAs shown by "ldyparadox99" under another topic Inburgeringscursus, you can check by the website blikopwerk.nl. Click on the left side "INBURGEREN". There you can find a list of "approved" schools providing courses all round NL. Just specify your choice to the areas. Hope this helps as a starting point for your search. Do tell us if the school you go (whether it is under the above-mentioned website or not) good or bad. Share your valuable information.  
    • October 30, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    A happy ending......congratulations! But how about the prepaid upfront 6.5-month rent? Will you expect the landlord would refund you by the end of the rental contract period?
    • October 30, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    I thought you ("avocado") would understand my neutral tone in my reply to Tony2012. I said " IF ". Whether it will be finally "approved" by also the Eerste Kamer, I don't know. But in my experience, there were changes which I didn't expect the Eerste K...  moreI thought you ("avocado") would understand my neutral tone in my reply to Tony2012. I said " IF ". Whether it will be finally "approved" by also the Eerste Kamer, I don't know. But in my experience, there were changes which I didn't expect the Eerste Kamer would also say yes but at the end they did say yes. Is there also some kind of political power struggle in play or so? I don't know.  
    • October 30, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    According to what you have quoted (in Dutch), yes and it is also applied to EU nationals. (I have not checked with other sources.) These together with other "akkoord" that the new coalited VVD and PvdA government will go through firstly the "tweedekamer" ...  moreAccording to what you have quoted (in Dutch), yes and it is also applied to EU nationals. (I have not checked with other sources.) These together with other "akkoord" that the new coalited VVD and PvdA government will go through firstly the "tweedekamer" and then the "eerstekamer". If both kamers give the green light, it will come in force as depicted. What you have quoted does not say any date. Some "akkoord" say e.g. starting from 1 July 2014. So I don't know when it will be enforced after the green lights given by the two kamers. Got to find more info.  less
    • October 30, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    They have actually already changed the laws. Starting from next year, no more KVT. So both new or oldcomers will have only one route -- the inburgeringsexamen.
    Read the letter(s) YOUR gemeente sent to you. Word by word. Don't only rely on what your fr...  more    They have actually already changed the laws. Starting from next year, no more KVT. So both new or oldcomers will have only one route -- the inburgeringsexamen.
    Read the letter(s) YOUR gemeente sent to you. Word by word. Don't only rely on what your friend says. Make sure you see the words "Korte Vrijstellingstoets"....."mag doen"......
    If you can take KVT, please note the following deadlines :
    " Aanmelden kan nog via de website van DUO tot 13 december 2012 of middels het formulier op de website tot 15 november 2012. "
    You need (first) a DigiD, and you pay with iDEAL.  less
    • October 29, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    I agree with you -- Dutch is not particularly harder than other languages.
    There are many private (not runned by the government) schools which also provide private one-to-one lessons. You can contact them and ask them for the (hourly) rate. If your goal...  more    I agree with you -- Dutch is not particularly harder than other languages.
    There are many private (not runned by the government) schools which also provide private one-to-one lessons. You can contact them and ask them for the (hourly) rate. If your goal is studying for a university degree, you have to (at least) study for the Staatsexamen level B2 which is approximately (as it's difficult just to compare one level with another higher level) 2 levels higher than the so-called passing level of inburgeringsexamen.
    Another option which I think you may mean is to find a self-employed language tutor. You can put up an ad (say in the supermarket). But be prepared some people would play fraude on you. Say taking your upfront money but never show up or not comply to what you both have agreed. Or you would have people who actually have no competence to teach Dutch (especially for your high level) coming to you. Many Dutch think they can teach an allochtoon(tje) their own language just because they themselves can s...    less
    • October 29, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    I took the inburgeringsexamen in 2003/2004. At that time we were told Level 2 in all parts was the passing level. By the later period of "Rita Verdonk's regime", she changed it to : Schrijven and Lezen got to be level 1, but Spreken and Luisteren got to...  moreI took the inburgeringsexamen in 2003/2004. At that time we were told Level 2 in all parts was the passing level. By the later period of "Rita Verdonk's regime", she changed it to : Schrijven and Lezen got to be level 1, but Spreken and Luisteren got to be (still) level 2; because Dutch people consider Spreken and Luisteren is the key point to communicate. So I think that's why your gemeente still considers you're not yet "done" with the inburgering. I don't know why you never got any vergoeding back from the gemeente. Maybe you did have the right for it, but you didn't realise that. It should have stated in the letter(s) you got from the gemeente at those time.
    Whether you have to or not have to do the portfolio (I hope the latter for you) depends on the decision from the gemeente. I think your gemeente views you as an oudkomer, so you can do the KVT (the short test). Whether you are entitled for 650 euro or not also depends on YOUR gemeente. I never have the privilege to have read the letter the gemee...    less
    • October 29, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    It is difficult to learn, but possible. I heard German has even more exceptions in the language rules. Some Dutch told me it's easy to learn German and speak the language without an accent. But it is difficult to speak Dutch language without a foreign ...  moreIt is difficult to learn, but possible. I heard German has even more exceptions in the language rules. Some Dutch told me it's easy to learn German and speak the language without an accent. But it is difficult to speak Dutch language without a foreign accent.
    It makes it more difficult if the syllabus is badly structured. In Belgium it is done better.  
    • October 27, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands:
    That is strange. Your Dutch partner is not eligible for the WW-uitkering. As long as he complies with the rules, he should have the rights for WW.
    Extracted from rijksoverheid.nl under "werkloosheidswet" :
    Iemand komt in aanmerking voor een WW-uitkering als hij:
    1. Verzekerd is voor werkloosheid. Dit is meestal het geval bij werknemers onder de AOW-leeftijd;...  more    That is strange. Your Dutch partner is not eligible for the WW-uitkering. As long as he complies with the rules, he should have the rights for WW.
    Extracted from rijksoverheid.nl under "werkloosheidswet" :
    Iemand komt in aanmerking voor een WW-uitkering als hij:
    1. Verzekerd is voor werkloosheid. Dit is meestal het geval bij werknemers onder de AOW-leeftijd;
    2. 5 uur of meer van de arbeidsuren per week verliest en geen recht heeft op loon over die uren;
    3. Direct beschikbaar is voor betaald werk;
    4. In de periode voor de werkloosheid 26 van de 36 weken heeft gewerkt. Voor musici en artiesten is het soms genoeg als zij in de laatste 39 weken 16 weken hebben gewerkt;
    5. Niet door eigen schuld werkloos is geworden. Als iemand zelf ontslag neemt , bestaat alleen in uitzonderingssituaties recht op een WW-uitkering.
    There is no critieria saying anything about the household income. The institution which handles this is called UWV. As far as I know (please correct me if I'm wrong), UWV got a budget from the g...    less
    • October 27, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Dutch News:
    As far as I understand from the latest news yesterday, the "own contribution" will not raised up to 400 euro. Hope I don't misunderstand it. Please please don't.........many people will be put to an even more hard time.
    • October 27, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Dutch News:
    I don't think this time the scapegoat is Muslims. They are always the scapegoat because of the high crime rate in the group. This time I think the scapegoat is South-Europeans. "They make their own country a mess and now they take for granted that we shou...  moreI don't think this time the scapegoat is Muslims. They are always the scapegoat because of the high crime rate in the group. This time I think the scapegoat is South-Europeans. "They make their own country a mess and now they take for granted that we should help by pumping billion of billion euros to them. Now more and more of them come here to take our jobs!!" That is what I heard from the Dutch. I can't blame the Dutch. But on the other hand, I'd think more of the negligence from the Dutch government for taking necessary action to protect the local job market and at the same time ensure fair competition.  less
    • October 27, 2012
  • HappyBird
    HappyBird replied to a topic in the forum Learning Dutch:
    3000 euro minus 2100 euro is 900 euro. So you at the end pay out of your own pocket 900 euro. But hand on.....you probably have the "inburgeringsplicht" before January 2013. So the gemeente may still pay for the costs. If so, you won't get any "vergoe...  more3000 euro minus 2100 euro is 900 euro. So you at the end pay out of your own pocket 900 euro. But hand on.....you probably have the "inburgeringsplicht" before January 2013. So the gemeente may still pay for the costs. If so, you won't get any "vergoeding" (only 200+ euro). And you probably cannot choose your own school/course. The gemeente appoints a school for you.
    Spending (at the end) 900 euro for a good-quality school/course is well worth than those schools appointed by the gemeente. Usually they are crap. So the new model may not be a bad one. This new one also ensures the inburgering sector (the Dutch call it an industry) survive while the number of non-EU immigrates drops over the years.
    All the western countries try their best to keep poor immigrants out. The Dutch actually started quite late.
    So wait for the letter from the gemeente, make sure you understand what it is about this time and take appropriate action on time. My gemeente is quite efficient. They spot me less than a year. They g...    less
    • October 25, 2012
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Personal Information

  • Gender: Female
  • * City of Residence: Den Haag
  • * Country of Residence: Netherlands
  • * Home Country: United Kingdom
  • When did you become an expat?: October 1, 2002

Personal Details

  • Interests: Cooking, Travel
  • November 5, 2012 6:27:06 PM CET
    in the topic Permanent VVR and Dutch Nationality will change to 7 Year? in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands
    Nobody feels "bad" about what a textbook reader says in the textbook. I have never be able to finish reading your comment every time because I'm tired of reading things that only the writer wants to show off what he/she tries to show off.
  • November 5, 2012 5:03:00 PM CET
    in the topic WW & Uitkering => verblijfsvergunning in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands

    Christian Barth & Avocado, did you mix up with another topic? The subject didn't say she is from EU. She may come here for family reunion from a non-EU country of origin

     

    By the way, this is her 1st year out of the 5-year permit. It is still a long way for any rights of permanent permit. Taking the tough reality that the economic crisis may take much longer to work itself out, it's better to focus on these 5 years than 7 years yet to come.

    This post was edited by HappyBird at November 5, 2012 5:03:00 PM CET
  • November 4, 2012 10:06:28 PM CET
    in the topic Korte Vrijstellingstoets in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands
    Regarding Deltawerken, go to deltawerken.com.
  • November 4, 2012 2:47:22 PM CET
    in the topic WW & Uitkering => verblijfsvergunning in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands
    I hate the way which UWV tries to keep some applications away. It is like thief. We don't have the right to withhold the social security premier from our paycheques, but they have the "right" to withhold our rights. The chance that IND and the social assistance agency do exchange their information is quite slim, is it so? If she herself also has a job which pays up to the minimum income requirement for the verbijfsvergunning, will the financial status of her Dutch partner still affect it?
  • November 4, 2012 2:22:44 PM CET
    in the topic Being made redundant. What are my options? in the forum Legal Problems in the Netherlands

    Ouloveit3, how could you use the word "sucked"? Last time I used it, they put **** on it.

     

    Severance payment is regarded as income in NL, not compensation. So tax, tax, tax ! In many countries (not only NL), they only consider the source of income rather than where the employee physically is. And also they don't consider where you will be. Would you stay or leave after you pay the tax? This is not any point of consideration in subjecting you to the tax or not.

     

    An example :  A Dutch national decides she would leave NL after she receives the severance payment.  But 2 months later, she changes her mind, she comes back to NL.  Then what? Should she pay back the tax on the severance payment?  "Oh, no!  I don't want to pay." Then she decides again to leave NL.  Then what?  Should the tax department keep every single track of whereabout of people in order to decide whether she should pay the tax or not?

    This post was edited by HappyBird at November 4, 2012 2:22:44 PM CET
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