Kingdom of the Netherlands
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) processing time
IND legal decision period for Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is 90 days; recognised sponsors commonly see decisions in 2–4 weeks.
Typical window
2 weeks – 3 months
Government fees
Approximately €380+ per application; sponsor also pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) sits in the work sponsored category. Typical duration: Matches contract, up to 5 years; renewable.. Indicative government fees: Approximately €380+ per application; sponsor also pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration..
- Requires a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Tech, engineering, and finance workers at IND-recognised Dutch employers, Highly compensated international hires.
Primary source
IND — Decision periods
https://ind.nl/en/how-long-will-it-take-before-the-ind-reaches-a-decision
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) take to process?
IND legal decision period for Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) is 90 days; recognised sponsors commonly see decisions in 2–4 weeks. These figures come from IND — Decision periods and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.