Kingdom of the Netherlands visas
The Netherlands operates the IND-administered Highly Skilled Migrant scheme via recognised sponsors, the EU Blue Card, the orientation year for recent international graduates, and a self-employed route under various treaties including DAFT for US nationals.
7 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 5 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) ↗ · Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten (NOvA) — Netherlands Bar — regulates advocaten authorised to give immigration advice.
Visa routes (7)
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
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.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EU Blue Card (Netherlands)
Dutch implementation of the EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU workers.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur
Treaty-based self-employment residence for US nationals starting a business in the Netherlands.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Startup Visa (Netherlands)
1-year residence permit for founders working with a recognised Dutch startup facilitator.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Dutch Student residence permit
Study residence for international students enrolled at Dutch higher-education institutions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor)
Residence permit for partners, spouses, and registered partners of Dutch residents and citizens.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Recent Kingdom of the Netherlands policy changes
·material
Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds
IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Kingdom of the Netherlands have?+
We cover 7 Kingdom of the Netherlands visa routes across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Kingdom of the Netherlands visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 7 Kingdom of the Netherlands routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Kingdom of the Netherlands visas lead to permanent residence?+
5 of the 7 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
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