Highly skilled migrants scheme
As a (Dutch) employer you may find yourself in a situation where you need employees with a specific competence, while there are no suitable candidates on either the Dutch or the European labour market. Therefore, you would have to look outside of Europe for suitable candidates. But hiring an employee from outside the EU comes with many snags. For example, obtaining a work permit (TWV) is a lengthy and labour-intensive procedure that you would like to avoid.
The Highly Skilled Migrants Scheme
Because of this lengthy procedure, the Highly skilled migrants arrangement was introduced a few years ago. This scheme should make the Netherlands attractive for professionals who are needed to strengthen the Dutch economy, culture and scientific research. This scheme has simplified the procedure for bringing highly educated employees to the Netherlands. However, strict laws and regulations apply, both for the application procedure and for the completion of the work and salary.
In addition to the conditions that apply to all migrants with a nationality other than EU/EEA and Switzerland, the following applies to highly skilled migrants:
- The candidate must have an employment contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands that is recognised as a sponsor by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
- The candidate receives sufficient income.
- The agreed wage is in line with the market.
Authorisation for temporary stay (MVV)
If your candidate wants to stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months or wants to apply for a residence permit because he/she wants to settle in the Netherlands, he/she first has to apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).
Residents of the European Union Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, United States of America and South Korea are exempt.
The MVV is issued at the Dutch embassy in the applicant’s country of origin.
Conditions for the highly skilled migrant scheme (KMR) (2024)
The procedure for applying for the highly skilled migrant scheme is carried out by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The following conditions apply:
- The highly skilled migrant (30 years or older) earns a minimum gross salary of âĴ5,331 per month (excluding 8% holiday pay) [2024].
- The highly skilled migrant (younger than 30 years) will earn a minimum gross salary of âĴ3,909 per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance) [2024];
- The employer is a company registered in the Netherlands;
- The employer is registered as a recognised sponsor with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service);
- The partner of the highly skilled migrant must apply for a residence permit as “partner of highly skilled migrant”.
If the highly skilled migrant is a student and has completed an education in the Netherlands, the student can apply for a residence permit for a “search year”. After the search year, he/she must earn a minimum gross salary of âĴ 2,801 per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance) [2024].
We are here to help
AAme is registered with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) as acknowledged referent for the Highly Skilled Migrants Scheme. This enables you through one of our contracting constructions to arrange the work permit or knowledge migrant scheme for your foreign employee in the Netherlands.
We are fully aware of the laws and regulations in the field of highly skilled migrants and labour law in general. If your company is not recognised by the IND as a sponsor, we can act as your formal employer.
As an employer, we offer full support during the immigration procedure and ensure that you, as a highly skilled employee, have all the required documents before starting work. Examples of required documents are a Dutch bank account, a Citizen Service Number (BSN) and the correct residence documents. In addition, we can also help with the procedures for the family members of the highly skilled migrant.