Indian applicants · Kingdom of the Netherlands
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) for Indian citizens
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 general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2 weeks – 3 months
- Government fees
- Approximately €380+ per application; sponsor also pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration.
- 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.
How long it takes
2 weeks – 3 months
IND legal decision period for Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is 90 days; recognised sponsors commonly see decisions in 2–4 weeks.
Verified 1 June 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.
- ✓Gross monthly salary meeting the age-tiered Kennismigrant threshold. Thresholds are updated each January and July.
- ✓Valid passport and clean background.
Common blockers
- !Employer not an IND-recognised sponsor.
- !Salary below the age-tiered threshold — particularly strict for over-30 applicants.
Typical evidence
- ·Signed employment contract.
- ·Passport.
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.
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) and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
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 long does the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 3 months. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Mumbai, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: IND — Decision periods, verified 1 June 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.