Netherlands highly skilled migrant permit for Indian professionals

The salary criterion is the whole test: the IND checks that the contract pays at least the threshold for the applicant's age band, that the amount is market-conforming for the position and that it is paid into a bank account every month (bonuses, equity and allowances other than guaranteed ones do not count). Thresholds are indexed every 1 January; the 2026 figures of EUR 5,942, EUR 4,357 and EUR 3,122 apply to applications decided in 2026, and from the first month after an applicant turns 30 the higher threshold applies at the next extension.

Only recognised sponsors can use the route: employers register once with the IND (EUR 4,698, or EUR 2,349 for start-ups and companies with fewer than 50 staff, about three months), accept duties of care and record-keeping, and then file applications online with a shortened form. Indian employees of Indian IT firms are typically sponsored by the Dutch subsidiary or by a recognised payroll company; intra-corporate transferees whose assignment is from a non-EU entity use the ICT permit at the same salary thresholds.

The Netherlands charges no levy or surcharge; employees pay income tax of 35.8 to 49.5 per cent, reduced by the 30 per cent ruling (27 per cent for arrivals from 2027) on salaries above about EUR 47,000, for up to five years. Vistolane shows the EUR 423 IND fee as listed; employers see every file in Vistolane for business.

1. 1

   Employer confirms recognised sponsor status

   Or registers with the IND (about 3 months); contract at or above the 2026 threshold.

2. 2

   Employee supplies documents

   Passport copy, antecedents certificate, photo meeting Dutch requirements, signed appendix; family members add legalised marriage and birth certificates.

3. 3

   Sponsor files the TEV application on the IND portal

   Pays EUR 423 (EUR 254 per dependant); IND decides in about 2 weeks.

4. 4

   Collect the MVV at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai

   Within 3 months of approval; sticker in about 10 days; travel within 90 days.

5. 5

   Arrive, register and collect the card

   BSN at the municipality within 5 days, residence card at the IND desk, TB test at the GGD, health insurance within 4 months, 30 per cent ruling request within 4 months of starting.

Plan four to eight weeks from contract to first day with a recognised sponsor; families filed together travel together.

Highly skilled migrants can change employer at any time to another recognised sponsor, which files a new application (EUR 423) and the permit continues; after losing a job there is a three-month search period. Partners and children receive permits with free access to the labour market and no civic integration exam, and the Netherlands family visa route page covers the income and document rules. The 30 per cent ruling, requested jointly with the employer within four months of starting, exempts 30 per cent of salary from tax for up to five years (27 per cent for arrivals from 2027), subject to a salary floor of about EUR 47,000 and a cap at the public-sector maximum salary.

After five years of continuous residence with an A2 civic integration diploma (B1 from 2026 for some groups) holders apply for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship; naturalisation requires renouncing Indian citizenship unless married to a Dutch national. Time on the orientation year and highly skilled migrant permits counts in full.

• IND: residence permit for highly skilled migrant ↗
• IND: fees and required amounts for 2026 ↗
• IND: fees, costs of an application ↗
• IND: required amounts, income requirements ↗