Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) Work Visa Guide

Overview

The Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) visa is the most common pathway for foreign professionals to work in the Netherlands. It is a temporary residence permit that enables knowledge workers, specialists, and skilled professionals to live and work in the country, contributing to the Dutch knowledge economy. The permit is employer-sponsored: your Dutch employer must be a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) registered with IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) (IND — Highly Skilled Migrant).

Key features at a glance:

• Validity: Duration of employment contract, maximum 5 years
• Application fee: €423 (2026)
• Processing time: IND aims for ~2 weeks; legal maximum 90 days
• Who applies: Your employer (recognised sponsor) submits on your behalf
• Family: Spouse/partner and minor children can apply simultaneously

Source: IND — Highly Skilled Migrant

Work permit types in the Netherlands

Before diving into the Highly Skilled Migrant route, it helps to understand the three main work permit categories:

TWV (Tewerkstellingsvergunning) — Short-term work permit

For employment of less than 3 months. Applied for by the employer at UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). Decision within 5 weeks. Valid for maximum 1 year (Business.gov.nl — Work Permit).

GVVA (Gecombineerde Vergunning voor Verblijf en Arbeid) — Single Permit

For employment of 3 months or longer. Combines residence permit and work permit into one document. Applied for at IND. Fee: €423. Processing: up to 90 days. Valid for up to 3 years (IND — Single Permit GVVA).

Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) — The fast track

The recommended route for qualified professionals. Key advantage: IND aims to decide within ~2 weeks (vs 90 days for GVVA). Requires a recognised sponsor employer and meeting salary thresholds. This guide focuses on this pathway.

Eligibility and salary thresholds

To qualify as a highly skilled migrant, you must meet specific minimum gross monthly salary thresholds. These amounts are updated every January and July (IND — Required Amounts).

2026 salary thresholds (1 January – 30 June 2026)

Category	Monthly gross salary
Highly skilled migrant, age 30 or older	€5,942
Highly skilled migrant, under 30	€4,357
Reduced criterion (recent Dutch graduates)	€3,122
European Blue Card, standard	€5,942
European Blue Card, reduced (shortage occupation)	€4,754

Source: IND — Fees and Required Amounts for 2026

Important salary rules:

• Gross monthly salary excluding holiday allowance (vakantiegeld)
• Excludes: vacation allowance, payment in kind, overtime, tips, and irregular pay elements
• The reduced criterion applies to graduates within 3 years of completing a Dutch higher education program, or those transitioning from an orientation year permit (zoekjaar)

Other eligibility requirements

• Valid passport
• Not a risk to public order or national security
• Willingness to take a TB test upon arrival (certain nationalities exempted)
• Healthcare professionals in BIG-regulated fields must be registered

Source: IND — Highly Skilled Migrant

MVV — Entry visa for non-EU nationals

If you are a non-EU/EEA national from a country that is not MVV-exempt, you need a Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) — a provisional residence permit placed as a sticker in your passport. This functions as your entry visa to the Netherlands (IND — MVV).

MVV-exempt nationalities (no entry visa needed): Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, and all EU/EEA member states (IND — MVV Exemptions).

If you need an MVV, it is applied for simultaneously with your residence permit through the TEV procedure (Toegang en Verblijf). Your employer submits both in one application. After approval, you collect the MVV sticker at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence within 3 months.

Recognised sponsor requirement

Your employer must be registered as a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) with IND before they can hire highly skilled migrants. This is a one-time registration per company (IND — Apply for Recognition as Sponsor).

Item	Amount
Sponsor registration (standard)	€5,080
Sponsor registration (≤50 employees)	€2,539
Processing time	Up to 90 days

Requirements for the company:

• Registered in Dutch Commercial Register (KvK — Kamer van Koophandel)
• Continuity and solvency sufficiently guaranteed
• Not insolvent or granted suspension of payment
• Directors and officers reliable and compliant with codes of conduct

Source: Business.gov.nl — How to Become a Recognised Sponsor

Required documents

From the employee

• Copy of valid passport (identity pages and all stamped pages)
• Appendix Antecedents Certificate (Form 7601) — signed declaration of no criminal record
• TB test referral form (if applicable — within 3 months of permit receipt)
• Foreign documents must be legalised (apostille or legalisation) and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German

From the employer

• Employment contract or appointment decision
• Payslips / salary specifications
• Copy of employee's passport
• Appendix Antecedents Certificate (Form 7601)

For accompanying family members

• Appendix Authorisation and Sponsorship Declaration (Form 7621)
• Passports of all family members
• Marriage or partnership certificate, OR single status declarations with relationship declaration
• For minor children: permission statement from remaining parent and custody documents

Source: IND — Checklist Documents Highly Skilled Migrant

Application process — step by step

1. Employer becomes a recognised sponsor — One-time registration with IND. Costs €5,080 (€2,539 for companies with ≤50 employees). Takes up to 90 days (IND — Recognition as Sponsor).
2. Employer submits your application — Online via IND portal or by post. If you need an MVV, this is a combined TEV application.
3. Pay application fee — €423 (2026). Fees increased 4.4% from 2025 (IND — Fees).
4. IND processes your application — Aims for ~2 weeks for recognised sponsors; legal maximum 90 days (IND — Decision Periods).
5. Collect MVV (if required) — After positive decision, collect the MVV sticker at a Dutch embassy or consulate within 3 months.
6. Travel to the Netherlands — Enter using your MVV (or passport if MVV-exempt).
7. Collect biometrics — Visit an IND desk within 2 weeks of the positive decision to provide fingerprints and photo.
8. Collect residence permit card — Pick up at an IND desk by appointment.
9. TB test (if required) — Complete within 3 months of receiving the permit at a GGD (Municipal Health Service) location.

Source: IND — Highly Skilled Migrant · Business.gov.nl — HSM

Fees summary

Item	Amount (2026)
Highly skilled migrant — first application	€423
Highly skilled migrant — extension	€423
European Blue Card — first application	€423
GVVA / Single Permit — first application	€423
Recognised sponsor registration (standard)	€5,080
Recognised sponsor registration (≤50 employees)	€2,539
Orientation year permit	€254

Note: Fees increased by 4.4% as of 1 January 2026. Turkish nationals may pay reduced rates under the Association Agreement EC-Turkey. Fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected (IND — Fees).

Processing times

Application type	Processing time
Highly skilled migrant (recognised sponsor)	~2 weeks (IND target); 90 days legal max
TEV procedure (MVV + residence permit)	90 days
European Blue Card (recognised sponsor)	30 days
GVVA / Single Permit	90 days
TWV work permit (via UWV)	5 weeks
Recognised sponsor registration	90 days

Source: IND — Decision Periods

30% tax ruling (Expat Scheme)

Highly skilled migrants may also qualify for the 30% ruling — a Dutch tax benefit that allows employers to pay up to 30% of gross salary tax-free to compensate for extraterritorial costs of living abroad (Government.nl — 30% Ruling).

• Maximum period: 5 years
• From 2027: reduced to 27%
• 2026 cap: max untaxed allowance €78,600 (for salaries ≥ €262,000)
• Applied for separately at the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), not IND

Job loss protection

If you lose your job while holding a Highly Skilled Migrant permit, you have a search period to find new employment before IND may revoke your permit:

• Up to 3 months if you held the permit for less than 2 years
• Up to 6 months if you held the permit for 2 years or more

Your new employer must also be a recognised sponsor and meet the same salary thresholds (IND — Highly Skilled Migrant).

Upcoming changes (2027)

The Dutch government has announced stricter rules for the highly skilled migrant procedure effective 2027:

• Income thresholds expected to increase beyond normal annual indexation
• 30% tax ruling reduced to 27%
• Tighter sponsor enforcement requirements

Source: IND — National Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Highly Skilled Migrant visa myself?

No. Only your Dutch employer — who must be a recognised sponsor with IND — can submit the application on your behalf. You cannot apply independently (IND — HSM).

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Your spouse/registered partner and minor children can apply for family reunification simultaneously with your application. They will receive their own residence permits.

Can I switch employers?

Yes, but your new employer must also be a recognised sponsor with IND and must submit a new application. You must continue to meet the salary threshold. During the first 5 years, you may only work for the employer listed on your residence permit.

What happens after 5 years?

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may be eligible for a permanent residence permit or Dutch citizenship. You can also apply for a long-term resident EU status (fee: €254).

Do I need to speak Dutch?

No Dutch language requirement for the Highly Skilled Migrant permit. However, if you later apply for permanent residence or citizenship, you will need to pass the civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen).