Kingdom of the Netherlands · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.
- Processing time
- Typically 2–4 weeks after complete application by recognised sponsor.
- 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
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.
Recent changes to this route
- Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds1 January 2026
IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian tech workers are the single largest Kennismigrant cohort after EU nationals. Credential evaluation via IDW/Nuffic…
Chinese applicants
Chinese applicants must have academic documents verified by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) an…
Turkish applicants
Turkish nationals form a substantial Kennismigrant cohort, particularly in Amsterdam-area tech and finance subsidiaries …
Brazilian applicants
Brazilian Kennismigrant volumes have grown alongside Dutch fintech and SaaS scaling — Adyen, Mollie, Mendix and similar …
Pakistani applicants
Pakistani Kennismigrant applicants concentrate in IT and engineering at Recognised Sponsor employers, particularly in th…
Russian applicants
Russian Kennismigrant applications continue under standard terms post-2022, though SWIFT/banking sanctions complicate pr…
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.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceEmployerEmployer applies through IND ↗
Recognised sponsors use this IND page to confirm requirements and start the employee residence application.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Approximately €380+ per application; sponsor also pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration.. A decision then typically takes 2 weeks – 3 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Related routes
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.
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur
Treaty-based self-employment residence for US nationals starting a business in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
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 long does a Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) application take and what does it cost?+
Processing is typically 2 to 4 weeks after a complete application is filed by an IND-recognised sponsor. The government fee is approximately 380 euros or more per application, and the employer separately pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration. Confirm current figures on the official IND page.
Does the Highly Skilled Migrant route lead to permanent residence in the Netherlands?+
Yes — the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) route leads to settlement. The permit matches your contract for up to 5 years and is renewable. Confirm the settlement requirements on the official IND page.
Why might my Kennismigrant application be refused even though I have a job offer?+
Two common blockers are that the employer is not an IND-recognised sponsor, and that the offered salary is below the age-tiered threshold — which is particularly strict for applicants over 30. Verify your employer's sponsor status and the current thresholds on the official IND page.
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