Hey Joran Well, I've been here nearly a month now - I managed to get a sublet sorted within the first five days, which was good, and my landlords have allowed me to commit to only a one month stay initially, which is quite handy financially. I picked up my sofi number the second day I was here, so I've been registering myself at agencies and walking around handing my CV in at bars, but I've had no luck finding work yet. I have a test with an electronics assembly company on Tuesday, so hopefully that'll lead to a job, but we'll see... Where in the UK are you thinking of moving to? I'm guessing that London is the obvious choice, but there are a lot of great (and cheaper) cities in the UK which are just as vibrant. I have a soft spot for Liverpool myself, as I used to work a lot around there, although I imagine the 'scouse' accent would be a shock if you weren't used to it. I spent a year living in Cambridge too, which is a really beautiful city. London would be a great base, but the problem with London is that most property is prohibitively expensive - slightly more expensive than Amsterdam, I'd say. Anyway, as I've never had to immigrate to the UK before, I'm not sure how much advice I'll be able to give you about paperwork and things like that, but it would be good to meet up and discuss cultural differences, and I'd like an opportunity to practice my woefully bad Dutch. P.m. me and I'll give you my mobile number... All the best, James.

Thanks for the reply Jeremy. Seretta - It seems that everything BSN related stems from registering at an address, but if you're not registered you can apply for a temporary Sofi number, which is valid for four months. I finally bit the bullet and came out here last Monday. I'm in a sublet now, and as such I can't register, but I got my Sofi number on Wednesday, which means that anything I earn here can be taxed. If you call the Dutch tax office on their non-resident number (+31 555 385 38), and tell them that you want to obtain a Sofi number, you'll be able to book an appointment with them. The Amsterdam Tax office is about a 1 minute walk from Sloterdijk station, and it's all pretty painless - you just need to take your passport, and give them your address in France and the address of where you're staying in the Netherlands (which can be a hotel/hostel etc). I'm not sure that it's possible to open a bank account with a temporary sofi number (do you know, Jeremy?), but in any case you'll probably need an employment contract, just so they'll know you can keep giving them money. My plan now is to find a job, open a bank account, move into an official room, register, get a BSN and then apply for medical insurance, in that order. Easier said than done, I'm sure... Regarding rent, I recommend that you sign up to www.kamernet.nl - unfortunately you have to pay (30 Euros for three months), but most of the people advertising there are genuine, unlike the people on Craig's list, for example. I was lucky and found a place within my first week here, but I recommend starting your search as early as possible. If you find a room that isn't a sublet, or you get the lessor to write a letter saying that you're lodging with them, you can register there and get the BSN, but if you're on a low budget like me (<500 per month), a sublet might be your only option. Hope this helps!

This post was edited by JamesWilson at February 10, 2013 10:07:27 PM CET

Okay, that makes things a bit clearer. Thanks for the link. I thought the Sofi number was an obsolete thing now, but that's only because other sites I've visited have made no mention of it. I guess that just proves your point. I'll give the tax office a ring tomorrow and see what they say (or don't)... Thanks for all your help Osita - you're a star.

Hi StarryEyed13 - thanks for the info. I've just read on iamsterdam that you can get a BSN as a lodger, provided that the person you're lodging with is the official leasee of a residence and happy to provide the tax office/municipality with some proof of (their) I.D. and a letter saying that they're okay for you to stay with them. This is obviously a system that's open to abuse, and I understand that some people will 'sponsor' you in this way, if you pay them... It's kind of frustrating, but it looks like this may be my only option. Seems a bizarre system to me... I'm still intrigued by this 'temporary BSN', Odisa, of you could elaborate. I imagine that would have less strings attached.

Hi all,

 

This isn't a problem, as such - more a query. Basically, I'm intending to visit the Netherlands in search of employment, but I understand that to do this legally I would need a BSN number. My question is whether this is possible without an official address? My budget will allow me to commit to staying a month (two at the most) in a sublet, but I understand that registration wouldn't be possible at a sublet, as they are illegal and must remain in the official leasees name. So how would I get around this? Without a job, I won't have the income to spend on leasing a room for 6 months, and without a BSN number I won't be able to get a job. Maybe it is a problem after all...

 

I've read that it is possible to get a BSN if you're lodging, provided that the person you're lodging with is happy to provide the tax office/municipailty with some proof of I.D. and a letter saying that they're okay with you staying there, but I don't know anyone I can lodge with, so this isn't really an option. However, I have heard that some people will (for a charge) effectively 'sponsor' you like this... If that's the case, then how would I go about finding them?

 

Any advice or assistance that anyone could provide on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

James.