Obligations of sponsor and recognised sponsor
Obligation to provide information
You must notify the IND of changes that have consequences for the residence permit or your recognition as a sponsor. You must notify the IND of a change mostly within 4 weeks. Use the notification forms.
Read regulations (in Dutch only) about the obligation to inform in articles 4.17 through 4.26 of the Aliens Regulations (Voorschrift Vreemdelingen).
Business portal
Do you have eRecognition (in Dutch: eHerkenning)? Then you can also notify the IND of changes via the Business Portal.
Examples of changes in the foreign national’s situation
- The foreign national will no longer come to the Netherlands or has left the Netherlands.
- The foreign national no longer has enough income to live in the Netherlands.
- The foreign national has stopped their study programme, research or work.
- The foreign national is going to stay with a different host family.
Changes without obligation to provide information
Are you an employer and did your employee become a Dutch citizen through naturalisation? Or did your employee receive a permanent residence permit? If so, you will no longer be a recognised sponsor for this employee. You do not need to report this to the IND.
Examples of changes in the recognised sponsor’s situation
- Ending of the organisation.
- Suspension of payment (in Dutch: surseance) or liquidation of the organisation.
- The registration of the organisation in the register of the Labour Standards Foundation (SNA) has been terminated. But the organisation is still engaged providing employees or payrolling.
You must notify the IND of a change of your administrative address within 2 weeks. This is part of your obligation to keep and retain records.
Changes without obligation to provide information
Would you like to have better and quicker contact with the IND? Then also report these changes that are not an obligation:
- contact person at your organisation
- postal address of your organisation
Notify the local council of emigration or moving house
Foreign nationals must notify the local council (in Dutch: gemeente) of their emigration or moving house within the Netherlands. Foreign nationals must give notice of this before emigration or within 4 weeks after moving. The town hall or local council will notify the IND.
Did the foreign national not notify the town hall or local council of the move in time? In that case you must inform the IND because you are the sponsor. Use the notification form.
Obligation to keep and retain records
You must retain information on the foreign national in your records. You must retain this information until 5 years after you are no longer the foreign national’s (recognised) sponsor. If the IND asks for this information, you must be able to show this information.
Change of administrative address
Will your company’s administrative address change? Then you must notify the IND within 2 weeks. Make use of the online form for reporting changes concerning a recognised sponsor in the Business Portal.
You can also use this written form:
Read regulations (in Dutch only) about the obligation to keep and retain records in articles 4.27 through 4.42 Voorschrift Vreemdelingen (Voorschrift Vreemdelingen).
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Obligation to keep and retain records of higher education students
open minusDoes the student study at a higher education level? In that case you must include the following information in your records:
- A copy of the student’s valid passport.
- The student’s address in the Netherlands.
- The following appendix completed and signed by the student:
- Documents showing that the student has enough money to live and study in the Netherlands. Read more about the student’s income documents.
- The following appendix completed and signed by the student: Students have to fill in this form for each study year.
- The provisional and final certificate of registration at your school. You must do this for all years that the student is registered. For exchange students, you must keep a certificate of registration.
- Documents showing that the student is admissible to the study programme.
- Information on the student’s study progress.
- Registration of students who have not obtained enough credits for a valid reason.You must describe the situation, and state that the school has not deregistered the student.
- Documents showing how you have informed the student about rights and obligations.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of secondary and vocational education students
open minusDoes the student study at the level of secondary or vocational education? In that case you must include the following information in your records:
- A copy of the student’s valid passport.
- The student’s address in the Netherlands.
- The The following appendix completed and signed by the student:
- A certificate of registration of the student at your school.
- Information on the student’s study progress.
- Documents showing that the student has enough money to live and study in the Netherlands. Read more about the student’s income documents.
- The The following appendix completed and signed by the student: Students have to fill in this form for each study year.
- Documents showing that the Netherlands is the most appropriate country to follow the study programme. This means that the student cannot follow the study programme or a similar study programme in the country of origin or permanent residence.
- Documents showing that the study programme will enable the student to positively contribute to their country.
- Documents showing how you have informed the student about rights and obligations.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of vocational training level 4 students
open minusIs the student following a level-4 vocational training programme? In that case you must include the following information in your records:
- A copy of the student’s valid passport.
- The student’s address in the Netherlands.
- The following appendix completed and signed by the student:
- A certificate of registration of the student at your school.
- Information on the student’s study progress.
- Documents proving that the student has enough money to live and study in the Netherlands. Read more about the student´s income.
- Documents showing how you have informed the student about rights and obligations.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of International Baccalaureate students
open minusIs the student following an International Baccalaureate Diploma programme? In that case you must include the following information in your records:
- A copy of the student’s valid passport.
- The student’s address in the Netherlands.
The following appendix completed and signed by the student:
- A certificate of registration of the student at your school.
- Information on the student’s study progress.
- Documents showing that the student has enough money to live and study in the Netherlands. Read more about the student’s income documents.
The following appendix completed and signed by the student:
Students have to fill in this form each year of study.
- A certificate showing that the student is taking the International Baccalaureate diploma programme.
- Documents about your position as a recognised sponsor:
- Proof of accreditation of your school by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
- Documents showing how you have informed the student about rights and obligations.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of au pairs
open minusYou must include the following information in your records for au pairs:
- A copy of the au pair’s valid passport.
The following appendix completed and signed by the au pair:
The following appendix completed and signed by the host:
- The au pair's single status declaration.
- A self-declaration that the au pair does not have any (foster) children.
- A copy of the exchange programme that the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) has approved. This is the exchange programme on the basis of which the au pair is residing in the Netherlands.
- The daily work routine for all 7 weekdays that the host family and the au pair signed and drew up together.
- Name and address of the main persons of the host family with whom the au pair is staying.
- The period that the au pair will stay with the host family.
- The members that form the host family.
- Documents showing that the host family has enough income. Find out more about the income requirements for the host family.
- Overviews of dates and actions showing that you have met your obligations as a recognised sponsor.
- An overview of all reports from the au pair about the host family. This overview must also show what you did with these notifications.
- An overview of what you have done to ensure that the au pair and the host family keep the agreements on the daily work routine.
- An overview of what you did when faced with problems, misconduct or abuse, or in case of an emergency.
- An overview of what you have done to inquire about the welfare and well-being of the au pair.
You must add evidence to these overviews. For example telephone memos, WhatsApp messages, memos of home visits and emails.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of young people on exchange
open minusFor the young person on exchange you must include the following information in your records:
- A copy of the valid passport of the young person on exchange.
The following appendix completed and signed by the young person on exchange:
- A copy of the exchange programme that the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) has approved. This is the exchange programme on the basis of which the young person on exchange is residing in the Netherlands.
- Overviews of dates and actions showing that you have met your obligations as a recognised sponsor.
- An overview of all reports from the young person on exchange about the host family. This overview must also show what you did with these notifications.
- An overview of what you did when faced with problems, misconduct or abuse, or in case of an emergency.
- An overview of what you have done to inquire about the welfare and well-being of the young person on exchange.
You must add evidence to these overviews. For example telephone memos, WhatsApp messages, memos of home visits and emails.
Cultural Exchange Programme
If the young person on exchange participates in a cultural exchange programme:
- Name and address of the main persons of the host family with whom the young person on exchange is staying.
- The period that the young person on exchange will stay with the host family.
- The members that form the host family.
Volunteer work that is a component of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)
Include these documents if the young person on exchange does volunteer work as part of the ESC.
- A copy of the contract between you and the young person on exchange. This contract must at least contain this information.
- A description of the volunteer programme.
- The duration of the volunteer work.
- The requirements for placement and monitoring of the volunteer work.
- The number of hours that the young person has to do volunteer work.
- Information on the money the young person has to pay for their stay in the Netherlands. And the minimum amount of allowance that the young person receives for the duration of their stay.
- If applicable: information on the training that the young person gets and that helps the young person to perform the volunteer work.
- A copy of the exchange programme that the Netherlands Youth Institute (NJI) has approved.
- Documents about the home of the young person on exchange. For example a lease, registration in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: BRP) or proof of insurance.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of researchers
open minusThis following information you must include in your records for a researcher:
- A copy of the researcher’s valid passport.
The following appendix completed and signed by the researcher:
- The host agreement between you and the researcher.
- A copy of the higher education degree that enables the researcher to participate in doctoral programmes.
- The researcher’s own statement showing that the researcher has enough money to live in the Netherlands.
- Documents showing that the researcher has enough money to live in the Netherlands. These are the documents.
- A copy of the employment contract and payslips. And a recent employer’s declaration with the date that it was drafted, the employer’s signature and a company stamp.
- An income statement from an established entrepreneur and an extract from the Chamber of Commerce. If this is required under the Commercial Register Act 2007 (In Dutch: Handelsregisterwet 2007 or Hrw 2007).
- A sponsor agreement showing the amount of the sponsor funds and the term of the sponsor agreement.
- A certificate showing the amount and the start and end dates of the grant or stipend.
- Proof of periodic payments that the researcher receives to pay for their stay in the Netherlands.
- An employer’s declaration if the employer is established abroad. This declaration must show the term of employment and the amount of the researcher’s salary.
- Proof of registration in the Individual Healthcare Professionals Register (in Dutch: BIG-register). This only applies to an employee in one of the individual healthcare professions.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of highly skilled migrants and holders of European Blue Cards
open minusThis following information must be included in your records for a highly skilled migrant and a holder of a European Blue Card:
- A copy of the employee’s valid passport.
The following appendix completed and signed by the employee:
- Payslips or specifications.
- The employment contract or the appointment decision. The employment contract or appointment decision must at least contain these aspects:
- the employee’s and your name and place of residence/business;
- the job or type of work the employee does;
- the location or locations where the employee works;
- the employment commencement date;
- the number of hours that the employee works (per day or per week);
- the term of the contract if the contract is temporary;
- the amount of the salary (and allowances, if any) and when it is paid;
- the length of the trial period and duration of the notice period, if applicable.
- Documents showing that the salary has been paid to the employee. For example with copies of the business account statements.
- Proof of registration in the Individual Healthcare Professionals Register (in Dutch: BIG-register). This only applies to an employee in one of the individual healthcare professions.
Proof of registration in one of these training registers:
- Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC);
- Public Health Physicians Registration Committee (SGRC);
- General Practitioners and Nursing Home Physicians Registration Committee (HVRC).
This applies only if the employee is a house officer (in Dutch: arts in opleiding tot specialist or aios).
- A document showing that the Blue Card holder has completed a higher education study programme. This study programme must have a duration of at least 3 years. The document must be a foreign diploma assessed by Nuffic or a certified copy of a Dutch diploma. The higher education qualification (within the meaning of Article 2(h) of Directive 2009/50/EC) is in line with the profession or sector in which the Blue Card holder works.
- Has the Blue Card holder demonstrated the higher professional qualifications with sufficient relevant work experience instead of a diploma? Then make sure to include the following information in your records:
o a personal statement
o a CV
o a copy of the vacancy.
In addition, you may add documents such as references from employers, previous employment contracts or an overview of work permits. - If the profession is regulated (within the meaning of Sections 1 and 5 of the Recognition of EC Higher Education Diplomas Act, or Algemene wet erkenning EU-beroepskwalificaties in Dutch), a document showing that the Blue Card holder is suitable for the profession.
- Documents showing how you have met your duty of care as a recognised sponsor.
Extra documents for highly skilled workers subject to reduced salary criterion
Does the reduced salary criterion apply to an employee? Then you must also record the following information in your administration.
- A copy of the diploma or certificate of the highly skilled worker.
- A copy of the credential evaluation from Nuffic of the diploma or certificate of the highly skilled worker. This is not necessary if the highly skilled worker has a qualification listed in the Flanders Higher Education Register: www.highereducation.be.
- Documents showing that on the date of graduation or doctoral defence, the education institution ranked in the top 200 of at least 2 publishers referred to in article 3.23 of the Aliens Regulations (in Dutch: Voorschrift Vreemdelingen). This is not necessary if it concerns an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree.
- Documents showing that the highly skilled worker:
- scored at least 6.0 in the International English Language Testing System; or
- obtained a similar minimum score in an English language test, such as one included in the Code of Conduct International Student in Dutch Higher Education (in Dutch: Gedragscode internationale student hoger onderwijs); or
- has a diploma, certificate or document referred to in article 2.3, first sentence, of the Decision on integration (in Dutch: Besluit inburgering); or
- has obtained their master’s, doctoral or postdoctoral studies in English or Dutch (not required if they have an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree).
You do not need to record any information in your administration in the following cases.
- The highly skilled migrant has previously held a residence permit for study, orientation year or research. Then the IND already has these details.
- The highly skilled migrant does not need to provide information regarding English language skills if they obtained a (post)master’s doctorate in a country where English is the national language. Or they obtained the qualification in English or Dutch.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of intra corporate transferees (Intra-Corporate Transferees Directive 2014/66/EU)
open minusYou must include the following information in your records for intra corporate transferees.
- The employee’s address in the Netherlands.
If you are a recognised sponsor: the following appendix completed and signed by the employee:
- The employment contract with the company established outside the EU.
- Payslips or specifications showing that the terms and conditions of employment, employment relationships or working conditions are at least at the level that is legally required and customary in the business sector.
- Proof of registration in the Individual Healthcare Professionals Register (in Dutch: BIG-register). This only applies to an employee in one of the individual healthcare professions.
- The engagement letter from the employer or trainee contract.
- The letter of engagement must at least specify:
- the duration of the transfer and the location of the branch in the Netherlands.
- that the employee is going to work as a manager, specialist or trainee.
- the salary and terms and conditions of employment during the transfer.
- that at the end of the transfer, the employee can work in a branch outside the EU.
- The trainee contract must in any case contain:
- a description of the trainee programme showing what the residence purpose is. Is this to educate the trainee employee for career development? Or training in company techniques and methods?
- the duration of the trainee programme.
- the way in which the trainee employee is supervised during the transfer.
Proof of registration in one of these training registers:
- Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC).
- Public Health Physicians Registration Committee (SGRC).
- General Practitioners and Nursing Home Physicians Registration Committee (HVRC).
This applies only if the employee is a house officer (in Dutch: arts in opleiding tot specialist or aios).
- Higher education degree certificates (within the meaning of Section 2(h) and Section 5 of the Recognition of EC Higher Education Diplomas, or Algemene wet erkenning EU-beroepskwalificaties in Dutch) that are necessary for the sector in which the employee works.
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Obligation to keep and retain records of seasonal workers
open minusYou must include the following information in your records for a seasonal worker:
- A copy of the employee’s valid passport.
If you are a recognised sponsor: the following appendix completed and signed by the employee:
- Payslips or specifications.
- The employment contract or appointment decision. The employment contract or appointment decision must in any case specify the following:
- your and the employee’s name and place of business/residence;
- the job or type of work that the employee does;
- the location or locations where the employee works;
- the employment commencement date;
- the number of hours that the employee works (per day or per week);
- the term of the contract if the contract is temporary;
- the amount of the salary (and allowances, if any) and when this is paid;
- the length of the trial period and duration of the notice period, if applicable.
- The additional document of the single permit (in Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning verblijf en arbeid or GVVA).
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Obligation to keep and retain records of trainees or students on work placement
open minusThis is the information you must include in your records for a trainee or student on work placement.
- A copy of the valid passport of the trainee or student on work placement.
If you are a recognised sponsor: the following appendix completed and signed by the trainee or student on work placement:
- Payslips or specifications.
- The on-the-job training contract, the curriculum or the trainee programme. This document must show the following:
- the duration and nature of the job or traineeship;
- the amount of the expense allowance.
- The trainee contract. This only applies to a trainee.
- The original work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) or the additional document of the single permit (in Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning verblijf en arbeid or GVVA).
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Obligation to keep and retain records of other work in paid employment
open minusThis is what you must include in your records for all other employees in paid employment.
- A copy of the employee’s valid passport.
If you are a recognised sponsor: the following appendix completed and signed by the employee:
- Salary slips or specifications.
- The employment contract or appointment decision. The employment contract or appointment decision must in any case specify:
- your and the employee’s name and place of business/residence;
- the job or the type of work that the employee does;
- the location or locations where the employee works;
- the employment commencement date;
- the number of hours that the employee works (per day or per week);
- the term of the contract if the contract is temporary;
- the amount of the salary (and allowances, if any) and when this is paid;
- the length of the trial period and duration of the notice period, if applicable.
- The original work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) or the additional document of the single permit (in Dutch: gecombineerde vergunning verblijf en arbeid or GVVA).
- Copies of the employee’s diplomas and/or certificates. This applies only if a work permit (TWV) or single permit (GVVA) has not been issued for the employee in the past 5 years.
Duty of care
You have a duty of care if you are a (recognised) sponsor. This means that you must provide for a careful recruitment and selection of foreign nationals. You must also inform the foreign national of the admission and residence requirements and other regulations.
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Duty of care study
open minusYour duty of care includes the following elements:
- You only recruit students who are allowed to follow the study programme.
- You must inform students about important regulations concerning matters such as work rights.
Read regulations (in Dutch only) about duty of care in article 1.16 of the Aliens Decree (Vreemdelingenbesluit) and article 1.8 of the Aliens Regulations (Voorschrift Vreemdelingen).
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Duty of care au pair and exchange
open minusYour duty of care includes the following elements:
- Careful mediation between the au pair, or the young exchange person, and the host family.
- Careful selection of the host family.
- No placement in a host family if you know of (suspected) abuse
- Explaining important regulations to the host family and the au pair or young exchange person during recruitment and selection.
- Knowing for sure that the host family and au pair or young exchange person will meet the obligations.
- Knowing for sure that the au pair’s or young exchange person’s welfare and well-being are all right.
- The au pair or young exchange person can always come to you with questions or complaints.
- You take suitable action if you know or hear of abuse or malpractice.
- Explaining the IND Au Pair Information Line (in Dutch: Meldpunt Misbruik au pairs) to the au pair.
Read regulations (in Dutch only) about duty of care in articles 1.5 and 1.6 of the Aliens Regulations (Voorschrift Vreemdelingen).
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Duty of care highly skilled migrants, European Blue card and intra corporate transferees
open minusYour duty of care includes the following elements:
- You must ensure a careful recruitment and selection of highly skilled migrants.
- You must inform the highly skilled migrant or intra-corporate transferee about the conditions for admission and residence.
For highly skilled migrant you can use our brochure:
For holder of a European Blue card and intra-corporate transferee you can use our brochure:
Read regulations (in Dutch only) about duty of care in article 1.16 of the Aliens Decree (Vreemdelingenbesluit) and article 1.4 of the Aliens Regulations (Voorschrift Vreemdelingen).
Return of the foreign national
You are responsible for the foreign national’s return. You are not responsible for the foreign national’s family member. The foreign national is the sponsor of the family member. A foreign national with a residence permit for the purpose of seasonal labour or on-the-job learning cannot have a family member come to the Netherlands. Find out more about the obligations of the foreign national and private sponsor.
Check for meeting obligations
The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. You can get an administrative fine if you do not meet your obligations. The IND can also suspend or withdraw your recognition as a sponsor.
Notification forms
Notify a change by using the correct notification form:
Notification of changes in the recognised sponsor's situation
Notification of changes in the foreign national's situation with a residence permit
Seasonal labour, learning while working, working in employment, a European blue card and working as a highly skilled migrant
Intra Corporate Transferees
Scientific research Directive 2005/71/EC and research Directive (EU) 2016/801 (recognised sponsor)
Study (recognised sponsor)
Exchange (recognised sponsor)
See also
Video: What are the obligations of a recognised sponsor?
- Download in Download in MP4 HD format MP4 HD | 43.5 MB
Video title is visible in animation: Which duties does a recognized sponsor (employer) have to fulfil?
Voice-over: Which duties does a recognised sponsor have to fulfil?
You are a recognised sponsor. That means that the IND trusts you. Your applications for residence permits are processed
faster and you need to submit fewer documents. But something is also expected of you.
What exactly is set out in three legal obligations: the duty of care, the duty
to keep and retain records, and the obligation to provide information.
One. The duty of care. You must ensure careful recruitment and selection of an employee.
And inform your employee about the conditions that apply to a residence permit for living and working in the Netherlands.
The duty of care is your responsibility, even if you ask someone else to do the recruitment and selection for you.
Two. The duty to keep and retain records. You must keep records with information about your employee.
For example, an employment contract and payslips, as well as how you performed the duty of care.
Then you can show this information to the IND if asked. Three. The obligation to provide information.
You must report changes to the IND on time. Changes in your employee’s situation, for example dismissal or
if your employee starts earning less than the salary norm. And changes at your company, for example if you change address or go bankrupt.
Use the notification form on ind.nl or submit it digitally in the Business Portal.
If you would like to know more about your duties, visit www.ind.nl.
text in animation: Want to know more about your duties? Visit ind.nlDownload audio descriptionDownload in MP3 formatDownload Video- Download in MP4 HD format MP4 HD | 43.5 MB
Download TranscriptionVideo title is visible in animation: Which duties does a recognized sponsor (employer) have to fulfil?
Voice-over: Which duties does a recognised sponsor have to fulfil?
You are a recognised sponsor. That means that the IND trusts you. Your applications for residence permits are processed
faster and you need to submit fewer documents. But something is also expected of you.
What exactly is set out in three legal obligations: the duty of care, the duty
to keep and retain records, and the obligation to provide information.
One. The duty of care. You must ensure careful recruitment and selection of an employee.
And inform your employee about the conditions that apply to a residence permit for living and working in the Netherlands.
The duty of care is your responsibility, even if you ask someone else to do the recruitment and selection for you.
Two. The duty to keep and retain records. You must keep records with information about your employee.
For example, an employment contract and payslips, as well as how you performed the duty of care.
Then you can show this information to the IND if asked. Three. The obligation to provide information.
You must report changes to the IND on time. Changes in your employee’s situation, for example dismissal or
if your employee starts earning less than the salary norm. And changes at your company, for example if you change address or go bankrupt.
Use the notification form on ind.nl or submit it digitally in the Business Portal.
If you would like to know more about your duties, visit www.ind.nl.
text in animation: Want to know more about your duties? Visit ind.nlObligations of recognised sponsor in brochure
- Administrative fine for not meeting your obligations
- Suspension and withdrawal of recognition as sponsor