Highly Skilled Migrant Netherlands: 2026 guide

Who qualifies?

You generally need an employment contract with a Dutch employer or research institution recognised by the IND. The agreed salary must meet the applicable income criterion and be in line with the market rate. Check the public register of recognised sponsors before relying on an offer.

2026 salary criteria

The published gross monthly amounts excluding holiday allowance are €5,942 for a highly skilled migrant aged 30 or over, €4,357 for someone under 30, and €3,122 where the reduced criterion applies. The reduced criterion is linked to specific qualifying situations, commonly connected with the orientation year or eligibility for it; it is not a general discount.

Ask the recognised sponsor to confirm in writing which criterion it is applying. Meeting the numerical threshold does not remove the market-rate requirement.

Application process

1. Confirm the employer is listed as an IND recognised sponsor.
2. Agree the employment contract, salary and intended start date.
3. Provide the passport and requested supporting evidence.
4. Legalise and translate foreign official documents where required.
5. The employer submits the application, including an MVV request where applicable.
6. Follow the decision letter for biometrics, entry and residence-document collection.

The IND lists a statutory decision period of 90 days. Recognised sponsorship is intended to support faster processing when a file is complete, but do not treat travel or a start date as final until the employer confirms the decision and work authorisation.

Arrival and work start

After a positive decision, check whether the employer notification permits you to work before the physical residence card is ready. Where the letter states this, work may begin from the date in that letter. Arrange biometrics or card collection promptly.

For a stay longer than four months, register with the municipality within five days of arrival where legally possible. BRP registration generates the BSN used for payroll, government services and healthcare.

Partner and children

A recognised sponsor can submit applications for accompanying family members. The IND states that a partner of a highly skilled migrant is generally free to work, as recorded on the residence document. Prepare passports and civil-status evidence such as marriage and birth certificates, with legalisation and translation where required.

Changing or losing a job

A change of employer is also an immigration event. The new employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor, meet the salary criterion applicable on the new start date and pay a market-rate salary. If employment ended before 22 May 2026, the IND search period is no more than three months, even after holding the permit for two years or longer. For employment ending on or after 22 May 2026, the maximum is six months only when the HSM permit had already been held for at least two years; otherwise it remains three months. The search period starts on the legal contract-end date and can never extend beyond the residence-card expiry.