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Pakistani applicants · Kingdom of the Netherlands

Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) for Pakistani citizens

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Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyMatches contract, up to 5 years; renewable.

This page covers the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) specifically for Pakistani applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Pakistan. 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
Reviewed Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗

Bilateral context

  • Schengen Area

Consular processing: a Kingdom of the Netherlands consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence

Tourist entry vs. this route

Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals change periodically and are separate from the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

Key figures for Pakistani 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.

IND — 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

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Confirm sponsor status

    Employer must appear on the IND public register of recognised sponsors.

  2. Sponsor submits MVV/TEV application

    For most nationalities, sponsor files the combined residence permit and entry visa application.

  3. Applicant collects MVV and travels

    Pick up MVV at Dutch embassy, enter the Netherlands within the MVV validity.

  4. 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

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceEmployer
    Employer 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 Pakistani applicants

Not sure Kingdom of the Netherlands is right for you? Compare similar routes

Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Pakistani nationals also apply to. See how they compare.

Frequently asked questions

Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)?+

Eligibility for the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is set by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Pakistani applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.

Where do Pakistani applicants typically file the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)?+

a Kingdom of the Netherlands consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. 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 Pakistani applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of the Netherlands as well?+

Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals change periodically and are separate from the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

How much does the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) cost for a Pakistani 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 Pakistani 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 Pakistan?+

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. Pakistani applicants usually file via a Kingdom of the Netherlands consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, 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

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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