The Hexallt Netherlands Nursing Pathway is structured in stages so that candidates can understand what happens before commitment, what is prepared in India, and what continues after relocation to the Netherlands.
Some activities happen sequentially, while others run in parallel. In particular, Dutch-language training and professional-recognition documentation are prepared together, rather than waiting until language training is complete.
Stage 1 allows the candidate to assess the pathway and experience the learning system before making a longer-term commitment.
The process begins with VIARA — Vocational Integration and Role Adaptability Assessment.
The purpose is to understand whether the Netherlands pathway is reasonably aligned with the candidate before substantial time and financial commitment begins.
Candidates who proceed begin Dutch A1 — Band 1.
This allows the candidate to experience:
Stage 1 is completed when A1 Band 1 is completed.
At this point, the candidate has experienced the learning system directly and can decide whether to proceed with the full Netherlands pathway.
Stage 2 begins only when the candidate decides to continue after completing A1 Band 1.
The candidate formally registers for the Netherlands Nursing Pathway.
This marks the transition from the initial assessment and exposure phase into structured preparation for:
Following registration, the professional-recognition documentation process begins.
The objective is to identify early:
Documentation should not be postponed until B1 is completed.
Candidates may formally authorise Hexallt to coordinate their VIG recognition application and correspondence with CIBG.
CIBG has confirmed that Hexallt can act as an intermediary for Indian VIG candidates, that candidate authorisation is sufficient, and that a pre-submission appointment can be arranged to determine whether documents are complete and correct before formal submission.
Related guidance:
Authorising Hexallt to Coordinate Your VIG Recognition Application.
During Stage 3, Dutch-language learning and professional-recognition preparation proceed together.
The candidate continues through:
A1 → A2 → B1
Language development remains central because Dutch is required for professional recognition and for functioning safely and effectively in the Dutch healthcare environment.
While language training continues, the VIG recognition dossier is prepared.
This includes identifying, obtaining, certifying and organising the applicable:
The separate Registered Nurse recognition dossier is also prepared during this period.
This may include:
Once the candidate reaches the required level, the applicable Dutch B1 examination and certification are completed.
The objective is that, by the time the candidate receives the required B1 certificate:
Stage 4 focuses on progressing professional recognition as far as reasonably possible while the candidate is still in India.
The VIG recognition application proceeds once the applicable documentation and language requirements are ready.
For eligible candidates with a four-year BSc Nursing / Bachelor in Nursing qualification, the simplified VIG intermediary procedure may apply.
Other nursing qualifications follow the applicable VIG assessment procedure.
Hexallt coordinates the authorised VIG process where the candidate has provided the required authorisation.
Registered Nurse recognition is a separate application from VIG recognition.
It does not need to wait until the candidate has worked as VIG in the Netherlands.
Once the applicable RN documents, Dutch B1 evidence and English-language evidence are ready, the candidate can begin the RN recognition application from India.
VIG recognition and RN recognition may therefore progress in parallel.
CIBG reviews the RN recognition application and supporting documentation.
Once the application is sufficiently complete, the candidate can progress toward the professional-content assessment process, including the BI test.
The BI test for nurses forms part of RN recognition.
Before relocation, the objective is to have:
VIG recognition completed or substantially progressed
and
RN recognition already submitted and progressing toward the BI assessment stage
where the candidate's circumstances and processing timelines allow.
The Certificate of Competence for Registered Nurse is not expected at this stage, because the RN recognition process includes the BI test and subsequent professional assessment in the Netherlands.
Once the candidate has reached the required language and professional-readiness level, the pathway moves toward employment opportunities.
Candidates receive structured preparation for:
Suitable employer opportunities may then be facilitated.
Employers independently determine:
If selected, the candidate receives an employment offer directly from the employer.
The candidate reviews the terms and decides whether to accept the offer.
After offer acceptance, the employer normally becomes the primary coordinating entity for the applicable:
Hexallt may continue to provide guidance and clarification, while immigration and employment decisions remain with the relevant authorities and employer.
If RN recognition has already been started from India, it continues from the stage reached before relocation.
The candidate completes the required professional-content assessment for nurses in the Netherlands.
The BI assessment evaluates professional knowledge and nursing competence.
Following the relevant assessment process, the candidate's qualification, professional competence and supporting evidence are considered by the competent Dutch recognition process.
Depending on the individual assessment, additional requirements may be imposed.
These can include additional education, practical training or another measure required to address identified differences.
Not every candidate will necessarily receive the same outcome.
If the RN recognition process is completed successfully, the candidate receives the:
Certificate of Competence — Verklaring van vakbekwaamheid
This represents successful recognition of the candidate's foreign qualification for the Dutch profession of verpleegkundige.
The candidate's qualification has been recognised for the Registered Nurse profession.
The next stage is BIG registration.
Recognition as a nurse and BIG registration are connected but legally separate stages.
After successful RN recognition, the candidate completes the remaining BIG-registration requirements.
Fresh regulatory documents may be required at this stage, including applicable:
The exact requirements depend on the candidate's circumstances.
Once the applicable registration requirements are satisfied, the candidate progresses through BIG registration for the profession of verpleegkundige.
The candidate completes the required initial supervised period under a suitably BIG-registered professional in the same profession.
For a nurse, the supervisor must be a BIG-registered verpleegkundige.
After the required supervised period is completed, the applicable supervision declaration is signed and submitted.
Once the supervision requirement is accepted, the candidate progresses to ordinary BIG registration as a Registered Nurse.
Actual transition into an RN position also depends on workplace readiness and an appropriate employer opportunity.
VIG recognition and RN recognition are separate procedures. They may progress in parallel.
The BI test belongs to RN recognition. It is not required for VIG recognition.
The Certificate of Competence is the outcome of successful RN recognition. It is not a document obtained before the BI assessment.
BIG registration follows successful RN recognition.
Relocation is not the starting point for RN recognition. The documentation and application can already be prepared and initiated from India.
Recognition and Licensing Process for Nurses in the Netherlands
Documents Required for VIG Recognition Application
Authorising Hexallt to Coordinate Your VIG Recognition Application
BIG-register Authorisation Form and Completion Guide
Professional Competencies Appendix for Nurses — Completion Guide
How Dutch Language Training Is Structured — A1 to B1
How Interview Preparation and Selection Works
What Happens After Selection and Offer Acceptance
Hexallt provides assessment, language training, documentation preparation, authorised VIG coordination, professional-readiness development, interview preparation and structured progression support.
Professional-recognition decisions are made by the competent Dutch authorities.
Employment decisions are made by employers.
Immigration and residence decisions are made by the relevant government authorities.
Participation in the pathway does not guarantee professional recognition, employer selection, immigration approval or a particular processing timeline.