Traditional Dutch windmills and bridge beside water in the Netherlands at sunset

Netherlands Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families and international businesses on Netherlands visa and immigration matters, including skilled employment, work permits, Highly Skilled Migrant applications, EU Blue Cards, intra-company transfers, entrepreneurship, family immigration, study and long-term residence.

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Immigration requirements vary according to nationality, purpose and duration of stay, employment arrangements and the activities to be undertaken in the Netherlands.

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For employers recruiting international talent, the Dutch recognised-sponsor framework is particularly important. Some employment routes require sponsorship by an organisation recognised by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), while other routes can be used without recognised-sponsor status.

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Hudson McKenzie can help individuals and businesses identify the appropriate Dutch immigration route and manage the process from initial eligibility assessment through to work and residence permission.

Non-EU, EEA and Swiss nationals intending to work in the Netherlands will generally require the appropriate work and residence authorisation unless an exemption applies.

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The correct route depends on factors including the proposed role, salary, skills, duration of work and the employer’s immigration status.

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Highly Skilled Migrant: The Highly Skilled Migrant, or kennismigrant, route is one of the main Dutch immigration routes for businesses recruiting skilled professionals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.

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The applicant must have an employment contract with a Dutch employer or research institution that is recognised by the IND as a sponsor. The salary must meet the applicable threshold and also be market-conforming.

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For 2026, the principal gross monthly salary thresholds, excluding holiday allowance, are:

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Highly Skilled Migrant Category	2026 Gross Monthly Salary Threshold
Age 30 or over	€5,942
Under age 30	€4,357
Reduced salary criterion	€3,122

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The reduced salary criterion applies only in qualifying circumstances, including certain applicants connected with the Orientation Year framework. The thresholds are reviewed periodically and should be checked at the time of application.

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IND Recognised Sponsors: Recognised sponsor status is central to the Highly Skilled Migrant route. A recognised sponsor can submit qualifying applications through a streamlined process, but recognition also brings ongoing obligations including duties relating to information, record keeping and care.

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GVVA – Combined Permit for Residence and Work: The GVVA combines residence and work authorisation for qualifying paid employment where the Highly Skilled Migrant or another specialist route is not appropriate.

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Depending on the category, the IND can seek advice from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), and labour-market considerations can apply.

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TWV – Work Permit: For certain shorter-term employment of up to 90 days and specified other situations, the employer may need to obtain a TWV from UWV rather than use a long-term residence route.

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Hudson McKenzie can advise employers, HR teams and professionals on the appropriate Dutch work route, recognised-sponsor requirements, salary criteria and supporting documentation.

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The Netherlands also provides employment routes for highly qualified professionals and employees transferring within international corporate groups.

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European Blue Card: The European Blue Card is a European work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals.

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Unlike the Dutch Highly Skilled Migrant route, the employer does not have to be an IND recognised sponsor to use the European Blue Card route, although recognised sponsorship can simplify and accelerate the process.

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For 2026, the general European Blue Card salary threshold is €5,942 gross per month excluding holiday allowance. A reduced threshold of €4,754 applies in qualifying circumstances.

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The Blue Card can also provide advantages for professionals considering future mobility within participating EU Member States.

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Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT): The ICT residence permit applies to qualifying managers, specialists and trainees being transferred from a company outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland to a Dutch branch or another company within the same corporate group.

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The employee must generally have worked for the overseas company for at least 3 months before the transfer. Recognised sponsorship is not mandatory for an ICT application, although a recognised sponsor can benefit from a more streamlined process.

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Route	Main Use	IND Recognised Sponsor Required?	Key Distinction
Highly Skilled Migrant	Skilled professionals employed in the Netherlands	Yes	Dutch national skilled-worker route
EU Blue Card	Highly qualified non-EU professionals	No	Supports wider EU Blue Card mobility
ICT	Managers, specialists and trainees transferred within a corporate group	No	Requires qualifying intra-group transfer and prior overseas employment

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Choosing between the Highly Skilled Migrant route, EU Blue Card and ICT framework requires consideration of the candidate’s role, qualifications, salary, employer structure and longer-term mobility plans.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the available options and advise employers and employees on the appropriate immigration strategy.

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For many applicants, Dutch temporary residence is the first stage of a longer-term immigration plan.

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Permanent Residence: For many applicants, eligibility for Dutch permanent residence can arise after at least 5 consecutive years of qualifying lawful residence, provided the remaining conditions are met.

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Applicants generally need to have maintained their main residence in the Netherlands, held qualifying residence status and complied with the conditions attached to their immigration permission. The IND also considers whether an applicant qualifies for EU long-term resident status where relevant.

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Dutch Citizenship by Naturalisation: For many adults, naturalisation becomes possible after at least 5 consecutive years of lawful residence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, subject to the remaining statutory conditions.

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Requirements can include qualifying residence status, identity and nationality documentation, civic integration and public-order conditions. Exceptions to the standard five-year rule exist in specified circumstances.

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Existing Nationality: Dutch nationality law can require some naturalisation applicants to renounce an existing nationality, although important exceptions apply. Dual-nationality implications should therefore be considered before filing.

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Status / Route	General Residence Position	Important Point
Dutch Permanent Residence	Generally after 5 consecutive qualifying years	Residence history and current status must meet the applicable requirements
EU Long-Term Residence	Generally based on qualifying long-term residence	Separate EU long-term resident conditions apply
Dutch Naturalisation	Generally after 5 consecutive qualifying years	Additional integration, identity, residence and nationality conditions apply

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Permanent residence and Dutch citizenship are separate legal processes and should not be treated as automatic consequences of reaching a particular residence period.

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Hudson McKenzie can review an applicant’s Dutch immigration history and advise on permanent residence, EU long-term residence and Dutch nationality planning.

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Other Netherlands Immigration Routes

Short-Stay Business & Visitor Travel: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area. Depending on nationality, travellers may require a short-stay Schengen visa for business, tourism, family visits or other qualifying visits.

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A Schengen short-stay visa generally allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Permitted business activities can include meetings, negotiations, conferences and trade-related visits, but short-stay status does not provide unrestricted permission to take up employment in the Netherlands.

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For qualifying frequent business travellers from certain countries, the Orange Carpet Visa Facility can make the Schengen visa application process easier. It is a visa facilitation arrangement, not a Dutch work or long-term residence route.

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International Students: Non-EU nationals undertaking qualifying higher education in the Netherlands may require a student residence permit.

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For university and higher professional education, the educational institution normally submits the application and must itself be recognised by the IND as a sponsor. Requirements can include admission to an accredited full-time programme, sufficient financial resources and satisfactory study progress.

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Qualifying graduates can subsequently consider the Orientation Year or another work or business route.

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Remote Working & Digital Nomads: The Netherlands does not currently operate a general Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU nationals simply wishing to relocate while continuing to work remotely for an overseas employer.

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An overseas employment contract alone does not establish the right to live and work from the Netherlands. Immigration, employment, tax and social-security implications should be assessed before relocation.

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For broader remote-working options, see Hudson McKenzie’s Digital Nomad Visas and Remote Working Visas.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Netherlands Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families, entrepreneurs and international businesses on Dutch immigration and global mobility matters.

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Our team can assist with:

Highly Skilled Migrant applications;
IND recognised-sponsor matters;
2026 salary-threshold assessments;
GVVA applications;
TWV-related work-authorisation matters;
European Blue Cards;
intra-corporate transfers;
Startup residence applications;
self-employed residence;
Orientation Year applications;
family and partner residence;
EU/EEA family immigration;
post-Brexit immigration for UK nationals;
MVV applications;
student immigration;
permanent residence;
EU long-term residence;
Dutch nationality matters; and
corporate immigration and global mobility strategy.

For employers, Hudson McKenzie can support international recruitment, employee transfers and assignments into the Netherlands and advise on recognised-sponsor requirements and employer immigration compliance.

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For individuals and families, we can assess the available work, business, family and long-term residence options according to personal circumstances and immigration objectives.

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Where a Dutch relocation forms part of a wider international assignment, our global immigration team can also coordinate Netherlands immigration requirements with broader cross-border mobility planning.

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Planning to work, relocate or transfer employees to the Netherlands? Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss the immigration options relevant to your circumstances.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Dutch immigration rules, salary thresholds, sponsor requirements, fees and application procedures are subject to change. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and the rules in force at the relevant time. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

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