There are 3 differences:

1. A higher salary criteria applies to holders of the European blue card than to highly skilled migrants.
2. With a European blue card you can more easily apply for a residence permit in another EU Member State.
3. With a European blue card you can apply earliers for a residence permit EU long-term resident, i.e. after 2 years in stead of after 5 years, as applies to highly skilled migrants (and other Dutch residence permits). Your family members can apply for an independent residence permit in the category 'humanitarian non-temporary' earlier, i.e. after 2 years instead of after 5 years.

For more information see Advantages European blue card

A researcher that wants to apply for a residence permit highly skilled migrant, needs to have an employment contract (or appointment decision). A researcher based on the Directive (EU) 2016/801 only needs a hosting agreement.

Has your permanent residence document or long-term resident EU document expired? You are still allowed to work. However, you have to submit an application for renewal of your residence document. 

​By signing a sponsor declaration you inform the Netherlands that you guarantee the expenses of the stay/residence of a foreign national in the Netherlands. You also guarantee that this foreign national will leave the Netherlands at the appointed time. The sponsor declaration tells you exactly what your obligations are.

​There is no legally set period of validity regarding the legalization of the 'Proof of Sponsorship/Accommodation'. The embassies and consulates use different periods of validity. That's why you should always get the most current information for this from the relevant embassy of consulate. In the case of a possible objection, you will not need to have the form legalized again.

​In general, it is possible to sponsor up to 2 adults (+ 1 or 2 children) at a time. You do have to use a separate form 'proof of sponsorship/accommodation' for each person. Also, you have to legalise your signature on every form. In the end, however, it is up to the Dutch representation or the Consular Service Organisation (CSO) to determine if you can sponsor multiple persons and how many.

​The renunciation requirement applies to you also. Because your nationality cannot be determined does not mean you are designated as a 'stateless person'. In the legal procedure concerning foreign nationals you indicated a nationality, and under this nationality you received your residence permit. You must renounce this nationality.

​The V-number is your number as a foreign national (vreemdeling). You receive such a number as soon as you initiate the application for a residence permit. You'll find the number as a reference in letters from the IND and on the back of your residence document.

​The purpose of the mvv is that the IND can check whether you meet all conditions before you come to the Netherlands. Therefore, it is not desirable for you to be in the Netherlands during the procedure. The IND strongly advises against it.

Do you have an urgent reason to be in the Netherlands during the mvv application? Report this reason to the IND before you come to the Netherlands.

Are you coming to the Netherlands during the procedure? Then this is your own responsibility. You also always need to collect the mvv at the Dutch embassy in your country of origin or the country of continuous residence.

This depends on whether you are married and what country you would move to.

You are married or registered partners

Moving abroad will not change anything for the application for naturalisation. This only does not apply when you move to the country of your partner's nationality. You cannot become a Dutch citizen when living in the country of which you have the nationality.

You are unmarried partners

A move abroad does have implications for the application for naturalisation. This is because as unmarried partners you must live together in the Netherlands for the entire naturalisation process.

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Many questions have explanations. Click on the link with the question. You will find a pop-up text with an explanation of the question.

Are you mentioned on the back of the residence card as the parent with whom the minor child is staying? Then you are a social sponsor. You can submit an application for an extension of the residence permit of your minor child. You use your own DigiD to log in.

In general, you can only upload documents that are requested on the form.

Did you already send in your online or written application and now you want to upload additional documents? You may do this as long as no decision has yet been made about your application. Upload the additional documents as follows:

• Go to Uploading documents after your application. Upload documents by using the link in that section.

You need Digid with sms code to upload. Also keep your case number handy. You can find the case number on the confirmation of receipt.

You have to send a photo card to the IND in the mail. You cannot upload the photo card because the quality of the photograph is not good enough.

Contact the IND. We can check to see whether we have received your application properly.

If the IND has not received your application, then we will deposit the money back into your bank account. Please submit a new application.

You are not allowed to change your main residence. The period of time that you are allowed to stay outside the Netherlands depends on your residence permit. Find out the period you may stay outside the Netherlands with your type residence permit.

You can request a payment reference from the IND. Call +31 (0)88 - 043 0430 (normal rate).

No. It is not possible to pay the fees in installments. Your application is only processed when you have paid the total fee of your application.

You still have to pay the fees even if you have been declared bankrupt or are undergoing debt restructuring.