Indian applicants · Kingdom of the Netherlands
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) for Indian citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.
This page covers the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- No fixed national clock publishedUse the current IND — Decision periods service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
- Worked-example cost
- €423
- Typical duration
- Matches contract, up to 5 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
€5,942/mo
Kennismigrant — 30+
Verified 1 January 2026 · IND — Required amounts income requirements
Worked-example route cost
€423
Single employee, employer already recognised
Partner/adult family members are EUR 254 each; children under 18 are EUR 85 each. If the employer is not already recognised by IND, sponsor recognition is a separate employer-side fee of EUR 2,539 for qualifying small businesses or EUR 5,080 standard.
Verified 10 September 2026 · IND - fees and costs of an application
How long it takes
No fixed national clock published
IND — Decision periods does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
Use the current IND — Decision periods service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Verified 10 September 2026 · IND — Decision periods
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → PR and citizenship eligibility parallel at 5 years.
Leads to Permanent Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning regulier onbepaalde tijd), then Dutch citizenship.
Visa overview
The Kennismigrant route is the Netherlands' main high-skill work visa. The employer must be a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) registered with the IND. The critical test is meeting the salary threshold, which is age-tiered and updated twice annually.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment offer from an IND-recognised sponsor.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
- ✓Gross monthly salary meeting the age-tiered Kennismigrant threshold. Thresholds are updated each January and July.
- ✓Valid passport and clean background.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
Common blockers
- !Employer not an IND-recognised sponsor.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
- !Salary below the age-tiered threshold — particularly strict for over-30 applicants.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Signed employment contract.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
- ·Passport.Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗
Application pathway
Confirm sponsor status
Employer must appear on the IND public register of recognised sponsors.
Sponsor submits MVV/TEV application
For most nationalities, sponsor files the combined residence permit and entry visa application.
Applicant collects MVV and travels
Pick up MVV at Dutch embassy, enter the Netherlands within the MVV validity.
Collect residence card and register
Register at the municipality (BRP), pick up residence card at IND.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Netherlands. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceEmployerEmployer applies through IND ↗
Recognised sponsors use this IND page to confirm requirements and start the employee residence application.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · verified
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 1 January 2026In force 1 January 2026
Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds
IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Other Kingdom of the Netherlands routes covered for Indian applicants
Orientation year (Zoekjaar)
Free 1-year permit to live and work in the Netherlands while you look for a job — open to recent graduates of Dutch universities or top-ranked global universities. No job offer needed to apply.
EU Blue Card (Netherlands)
Dutch implementation of the EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU workers.
Startup Visa (Netherlands)
1-year residence permit for founders working with a recognised Dutch startup facilitator.
Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor)
Residence permit for partners, spouses, and registered partners of Dutch residents and citizens.
Not sure Kingdom of the Netherlands is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)?+
Eligibility for the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is set by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Indian applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)?+
New Delhi / Mumbai. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of the Netherlands as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How much does the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) cost for a Indian applicant?+
The stored worked example (Single employee, employer already recognised) totals about €423. Partner/adult family members are EUR 254 each; children under 18 are EUR 85 each. If the employer is not already recognised by IND, sponsor recognition is a separate employer-side fee of EUR 2,539 for qualifying small businesses or EUR 5,080 standard. It may combine government charges with other stated route costs. Source: IND - fees and costs of an application, verified 10 September 2026. Treat it as indicative and confirm the current official schedule before budgeting.
What salary do Indian applicants need for the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)?+
The Kennismigrant — 30+ floor is €5,942/mo, effective 1 January 2026 (IND — Required amounts income requirements). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long does the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) take to process from India?+
IND — Decision periods does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route. Use the current IND — Decision periods service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Mumbai, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: IND — Decision periods, verified 10 September 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
Arrival → PR and citizenship eligibility parallel at 5 years. The route leads to Permanent Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning regulier onbepaalde tijd), then Dutch citizenship. See IND — Dutch citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
What is the Kennismigrant salary threshold?+
The threshold is tiered by age: one figure for applicants 30 and over, a lower figure for under-30s, and a reduced figure for graduates within 3 years of Dutch-degree completion (orientation-year transitions). Thresholds update twice yearly — always check the current IND figures.
Can my family join on a Kennismigrant visa?+
Yes. Partners and children under 18 can apply as family members and typically receive unrestricted right to work.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Last checked: 8 July 2026