Immigrate to Netherlands

The highly skilled migrant scheme lets an employer recognised by the IND as a sponsor bring in qualified staff without first testing the local labour market. Only the recognised employer can submit the application. The permit is tied to that employer, and its length follows your contract up to a maximum period. This suits professionals with a firm job offer from a Dutch organisation that already holds sponsor status. It typically depends on the employer’s recognition, a salary that meets the applicable minimum and is in line with the market rate for the role, and a genuine employment contract.

NOTESalary criteria differ by age and for recent graduates, and are updated periodically.

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified employees that follows a common European framework. In the Netherlands, the employer does not need to be a recognised sponsor, although recognition can make the process smoother. This suits professionals with a degree who have a qualifying job offer and may want to move within the EU later in their career. It depends on a recognised higher education qualification or, in some cases, relevant professional experience at a comparable level, with separate experience rules for IT roles. You also need a contract of sufficient length and a salary that meets the Blue Card criterion.

NOTEThe salary criterion is reviewed periodically.

This permit allows a company group based outside the EU to transfer managers, specialists and trainee employees to a Dutch branch or group company. It applies when you already work for the group outside the EU. This suits employees of international groups who are moving within the same organisation for a set period. It depends on your role, a minimum period of prior employment with the group, the transfer being temporary and your employer acting as sponsor.

NOTEThe permit has a maximum duration that varies by role.

The Single Permit combines residence and work in one document for employment that does not fall under the highly skilled migrant or Blue Card schemes. The employer must first look for suitable candidates in the Netherlands and the rest of the EU, and the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) advises the IND on the labour market position. This suits people whose job offer does not meet the criteria for the highly skilled routes. It typically depends on the employer’s recruitment efforts, a salary in line with the relevant collective labour agreement and the UWV’s advice.

NOTEWhether a suitable candidate is available in the EU is assessed case by case.