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 · 3 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 2026
Dutch Student residence permit
Study residence for international students enrolled at Dutch higher-education institutions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor)
Residence permit for partners, spouses, and registered partners of Dutch residents and citizens.
Family sponsor required; no employer sponsor · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 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.
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Kingdom of the Netherlands have?+
We cover 7 Kingdom of the Netherlands visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, unsponsored work, entrepreneur, study, and family. 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?+
3 of the 7 Kingdom of the Netherlands routes we cover are not marked as requiring an employer or family sponsor. 1 family-sponsored route requires a qualifying family sponsor. Check the requirements on each route: sponsorship can involve a family member, employer or educational institution, and does not always mean a job offer.
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.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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