The Netherlands has no points test, quota or labour-market check for skilled hires. An employer registered with the IND as a recognised sponsor files the combined entry visa and residence permit application for EUR 423 in 2026, and the IND decides within two weeks. The only substantive test is salary, excluding the 8 per cent holiday allowance: EUR 5,942 a month for applicants aged 30 and over, EUR 4,357 under 30 and EUR 3,122 for graduates moving from the orientation year, paid monthly into the employee's account and indexed every January. Indian professionals are the largest group of highly skilled migrants.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Netherlands highly skilled migrant route page. This article is the long version: how the salary test and the sponsor system work, the alternatives (EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transfer, orientation year), who pays what, the 30 per cent ruling and the reasons permits are refused or withdrawn.
Who qualifies for the Netherlands highly skilled migrant visa?
Anyone with a contract from a recognised sponsor, an employer the IND has approved after checking its registration, solvency and compliance (around 11,000 companies, listed on ind.nl), at a gross monthly salary excluding holiday allowance of at least EUR 5,942 (30 and over), EUR 4,357 (under 30) or EUR 3,122 (within three years of a Dutch degree or orientation year) in 2026, paid into a bank account each month. No degree is required by law, though the salary must be market-conforming for the role, and doctors need BIG registration. Payrolling and secondment are allowed when the payroll company is the recognised sponsor, which is how many Indian IT employees without a Dutch subsidiary are placed.
| Route | Who | Salary (2026, excluding holiday allowance) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant | Any role with a recognised sponsor | EUR 5,942 (30 and over); EUR 4,357 (under 30); EUR 3,122 (after orientation year or Dutch degree) | Contract length, up to 5 years | No degree test; fastest route; family works freely |
| EU Blue Card | Graduates (degree of 3+ years) or 5 years' experience (3 for ICT) | About EUR 5,942 standard; reduced threshold for recent graduates and shortage roles | Up to 4 years | EU mobility after 12 months; sponsor need not be recognised |
| Intra-corporate transfer (ICT) | Managers, specialists and trainees moving within a group | Highly skilled migrant thresholds | Up to 3 years (1 for trainees) | Transfer from a non-EU entity |
| Orientation year | Graduates within 3 years of a Dutch or top-200 degree | None at application | 1 year | Then highly skilled migrant at EUR 3,122 |
| Regular work permit (TWV + GVVA) | Roles below the thresholds | Market rate | 1 to 3 years | Labour-market test by the UWV; rarely granted for skilled roles |
How does the salary test work?
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, so 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. Graduates arriving through the route in the Netherlands orientation year guide keep the reduced threshold for applications made within three years of graduating.
What is a recognised sponsor, and what if my employer is not one?
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 and a two-week decision target. 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. An employer that is not a recognised sponsor can hire through the EU Blue Card, which does not require recognition but does require a degree and a standard 90-day decision, as explained for the comparable German route in the Germany work visa and Blue Card guide.
How much does it cost, and who pays?
| Item | Fee | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| IND application: MVV + highly skilled migrant permit (2026) | EUR 423 | Sponsor |
| Change of employer or extension | EUR 423 | Sponsor |
| Partner or child, each | EUR 254 | Sponsor or employee |
| Recognised sponsor registration (one-off) | EUR 4,698 (EUR 2,349 small companies and start-ups) | Employer |
| Tuberculosis test | Free at the GGD | Within 3 months of arrival |
| Municipality registration and BSN | Free | Within 5 days of arrival |
| Dutch health insurance | About EUR 150 a month per adult | Employee, mandatory |
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 on the Netherlands destination page; employers see every file in Vistolane for business.
How does the application run?
- The employer confirms recognised sponsor status or registers with the IND (about three months), and issues a contract at or above the 2026 threshold.
- The employee supplies a passport copy, a signed antecedents certificate, a photo meeting Dutch requirements and the signed appendix; family members add apostilled marriage and birth certificates.
- The sponsor files the TEV application on the IND portal and pays EUR 423 (EUR 254 per dependant); the IND decides in about two weeks.
- The employee collects the MVV at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai within three months of approval; the sticker takes about ten days and allows entry within 90 days.
- On arrival the employee registers for a BSN within five days, collects the residence card at the IND desk, takes the TB test, arranges health insurance within four months and files the 30 per cent ruling request with the employer within four months of starting.
How long does it take from India?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised sponsor registration (if needed) | About 3 months | One-off for the employer |
| Documents and filing | 1 to 2 weeks | Legalisation of family certificates takes longest |
| IND decision | About 2 weeks | 90 days by law |
| MVV at the embassy | About 10 days | Book immediately on approval |
| Arrival to residence card | 1 to 2 weeks | BSN, card, TB test |
Plan four to eight weeks from contract to first day with a recognised sponsor; families filed together travel together. The processing times page tracks the current IND turnaround.
What happens after arrival?
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, with the income and document rules in the Netherlands partner and family visa guide. 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.
Why are Netherlands highly skilled migrant permits refused or withdrawn, and what fixes each reason?
Salary below the threshold. A contract under EUR 5,942 (or EUR 4,357 or EUR 3,122), or allowances counted toward it. Raise the guaranteed gross monthly salary to the threshold for the age band.
Salary not market-conforming. Pay far above or below the norm for the role, raising a sham-contract concern. Document the role, seniority and market benchmarks.
Employer not a recognised sponsor. An application from an unregistered company. Register with the IND (about three months) or use a recognised payroll sponsor.
Salary not paid as agreed. The permit is withdrawn at a check because pay was late or below the threshold. Pay monthly into the employee's account and keep payslips.
MVV not collected in time. The approval lapsed after three months. Book the embassy appointment as soon as the approval letter arrives.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane's licence-checked partner checks the employer's sponsor status, prepares the TEV file and the family documents, books the MVV at the embassy and shows the EUR 423 IND fee as listed. Start with the free eligibility check or the Netherlands highly skilled migrant route page. Professionals comparing European routes can read the Spain work visa guide and the France work visa and Talent card guide.
