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Highly skilled migrant

You wish to work in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant. You need a residence permit for this. What are the conditions for this residence permit? And how does the application procedure work?

​Other conditions apply to persons with the nationality of an EU/EEA country  or Switzerland and their family members.

Please note: Other conditions also apply if all of the following situations apply to you:

  • You do not have the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
  • You live outside the Netherlands.
  • You have an employment contract with a company located outside the EU.
  • You are going to be transferred as a manager, specialist or trainee to a branch in the Netherlands.

Conditions

There are certain conditions that apply to everyone. In addition, you and your employer have to meet the following conditions:

Additional conditions for scientific researchers

  • Your income is sufficient when your gross monthly wage at least equals the standard amount for singles or spouses / unmarried couples living together. This depends on your family situation.
  • The appointment decision or the employment contract is signed on behalf of the institution. This decision or contract states the job description and the job code as set out in the University Job Classification system (UFO).

Additional conditions for doctors in training to become a specialist

  • Your income is sufficient when your gross monthly wage at least equals the standard amount for singles or spouses / unmarried couples living together. This depends on your family situation.
  • The training institute has been assigned by the Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC), Social Medicine Physicians Registration Committee (SGRC) or General practitioner and Nursing home Physicians Registration Committee (HVRC).
  • You are registered in the BIG-register. BIG stands for 'Individual Healthcare Professions'. A registration allows the employer to have a care provider practise independently in the Netherlands on the basis of a diploma awarded in another country. Your employer must keep proof of this registration in his records.

Additional conditions for intra-company transfers

  • You have an employment contract, an appointment decision, a guest agreement or an employer's declaration from the foreign employer. This states the duration of the transfer, the type of employment as well as your income.

Other conditions may apply for Turkish nationals and their family members.

Online application

Your employer can also submit this application online. He can do this in the Business Portal.

Online application

Costs

This application costs € 285.  

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.
Are you an employer and do you want to apply online? The checklist will show which documents to upload in the online application.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

 

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

To travel to the Netherlands, you need a provisional residence permit (mvv). The mvv is a sticker that the Dutch representation places in the passport. In some cases, you do not need an mvv.

Your recognised employer submits an application both for an mvv and a residence permit at the same time. The forms are at the bottom of this page for your recognised employer. Your recognised employer sends the application form together with the required documents to the IND. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid.

2. Receipt and check application

After your application has been received, the IND sends a confirmation letter to your sponsor in the Netherlands. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received the application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision.

The IND will then check to see if your application is complete and if the fees have been paid. Are documents missing, or are documents not correct? In that case, the IND will send a letter: a request to rectify the omission. This letter lists the documents that still need to be sent. Send the requested documents before the mentioned date to the IND.

3. Decision

​The IND checks if you meet all the conditions. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days.

  • Negative decision

    If you or your employer do not meet the conditions, you will not get an mvv and a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. You can apply for a review of this decision.

  • Positive decision

    If you and your employer meet all the conditions, you will get an mvv and a residence permit. The IND will inform your employer about this decision. The IND also informs the Dutch representation.

4. Collect mvv

​You collect the mvv from the Dutch representation that your employer filled in on the application form.

You have 3 months to collect the mvv. Please make an appointment for this with the representation. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the day you get the mvv.

You have to give your biometric information upon collecting the mvv.

5. Travel to the Netherlands

​Once you have collected your mvv, you can travel to the Netherlands. The mvv is valid for 90 days. The validity is shown on the mvv sticker. The mvv sticker shows 2 dates:

  • Effective date: as of this date the mvv is valid.
  • End date: as of this date the mvv is no longer valid.
The mvv allows you to travel within the Schengen Area.

Steps in the application procedure

1. Submit application and payment

​You do not have an mvv-required nationality. You are travelling to the Netherlands in your permit-exempt term. This means that you do not need a visa to travel to the Netherlands. You then have 3 months to apply for the residence permit in the Netherlands.

Your recognised employer applies to the IND. The forms are at the bottom of this page for your recognised employer. Your recognised employer sends the application form together with the required documents to the IND. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid.

2. Receipt and check application

After your application has been received, the IND sends a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter states the date the IND has received the application. It also states the period within which the IND makes a decision.

The IND will then check to see if your application is complete and if the fees have been paid. Are documents missing, or are documents not correct? In that case, the IND will send a letter: a request to rectify the omission. This letter lists the documents that still need to be sent. Send the requested documents before the mentioned date to the IND.

3. Decision

​The IND checks whether you and your employer meet all the conditions. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 90 days.

  • Negative decision

    If you or your employer do not meet the conditions, you will not get a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. You can apply for a review of this decision.

  • Positive decision

    If you and your employer meet all the conditions, you will get a residence permit.

Are you still abroad? Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you then go to an IND desk to give the biometric information.

Application forms and costs
Application for the purpose of residence of ‘highly skilled migrant’7511

Your employer recognised as sponsor uses this form to start your application. Your employer can also start this application online.

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

Costs application

This application costs € 285. 

  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 66.​​​​​​

Apply online  Download  

Application forms and costs
Application for the purpose of residence of ‘highly skilled migrant’7511

Your employer recognised as sponsor uses this form to start your application. Your employer can also start this application online.

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

Costs application

This application costs € 285. 

  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 57.​​​​​​​

Apply online  Download  

Application for family members of your employee via recognised sponsor7514

Your recognised employer uses this form to apply for the residence permit of your family members. Your employer can also start the application online.

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents that you need.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 171.

  • Children under 18 pay € 57.
  • Are you from San Marino or Israel? Based on the Benelux Treaty you do not pay for the application.
  • Are you a family member of NATO personnel or personnel of TRON? You do not pay for the application.
  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Or is your partner a Turkish national and does your partner have the right to work in the Netherlands? Your application costs € 57. 

Apply online  Download  

After the application

Collect your residence permit

The IND aims to have your residence permit ready within 2 weeks following your arrival in the Netherlands. The IND will send you a letter indicating when you can collect your residence permit. For this, you have to make an appointment online at the IND desk stated in the letter. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to visit an IND desk at short notice. Therefore, please schedule an appointment in time, but at least within 4 months after having received the letter.

Check to see if the information on your residence permit is correct while you are still at the IND desk. If something is incorrect, please inform the IND staff member at once.

Registration with the municipality

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP)  in the municipality you are going to live.

To register with the municipality you need a legalised and translated  birth certificate. Take this therefore with you when you travel to the Netherlands.

TB test

You have indicated your intent to undergo a tuberculosis test (TB test) when you applied. You have to make an appointment for this with the Area Health Authority (GGD). You do this within 3 months after having received your residence permit. Please take the 'TB test referral form' with you to the appointment.

In some cases you are exempt from taking a TB test.

Take out health insurance

Anyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance. You do this within 4 months following your arrival in the Netherlands.

Validity residence permit / search period during unemployment

The period of validity of your residence permit is the same as the length of your employment contract or assignment. With a maximum of 5 years. 

Unemployment
If you become unemployed during this period, you are eligible for a search period of up to three months to find a new job as a highly skilled migrant. The search term can not exceed the validity of your residence permit   and is less than three months if your residence permit expires earlier.

The search period begins on the day the contract is terminated.

Procedure
If your residence permit is valid throughout the search period (and there is no notification of a new employer), you will receive an intention to withdraw the residence permit. Herein (or in the final withdrawal decision) granting the search period is recorded.

Right to work

The back of your residence permit shows if you are allowed to work. Your residence permit states 'arbeid als kennismigrant en als zelfstandige toegestaan, andere arbeid toegestaan met TWV'. Having this residence permit means that you are allowed to work as a highly skilled migrant. In addition you are allowed to work as a self employed person. For all other work, your employer needs a TWV.

Labour market notification 'work freely permitted'

Have you worked in the Netherlands for 5 years? Then you are free to work in the Netherlands. You do not need an TWV anymore.

Is your residence permit still valid for a least 4 months? You can replace your residence permit for a document with the labour market notification 'arbeid vrij toegestaan' (work freely permitted).

Does your permit expire within 3 months? Apply for extension. Write on the form that you wish to have the labour market notification 'arbeid vrij toegestaan' on your new residence permit.

Legal obligations

There are a number of legal obligations that apply to you and your employer.

The IND monitors your compliance with these legal obligations. Failure to meet these legal obligations may have consequences.

Further applications (extend or change) / return visa

Replace residence permit

Is your residence permit damaged, lost or stolen? In that case, have the residence permit replaced.

Extend residence permit

Is your residence permit due to expire soon? Apply for an extension.

Change residence permit

Has something changed in your situation that influences your residence permit? Please report this immediately to the IND. It may mean that the residence permit has to be changed.

Permanent stay

Having had a residence permit for a period of 5 years, you may apply for a permanent residence permit.

Becoming a Dutch citizen

Having had a residence permit for a period of 5 years, you may apply for Dutch citizenship.

Return visa

If you are awaiting a procedure, you do not have a valid residence document at present and you wish to travel outside the Netherlands, you may need a return visa to re-enter the Netherlands. This could be the case if your current residence permit is no longer valid or your current residence permit will expire during your stay outside of the Netherlands. To apply for a return visa you must meet certain conditions. ​

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Recognised sponsor

A sponsor is a person, employer or organisation that has an interest in the arrival of the foreign national in the Netherlands. An organisation is obliged to get recognition as a sponsor if they wish to apply for a residence permit for au pair, exchange, study, highly skilled migrant and scientific researcher (Directive 2005/71/EG).

Provisional residence permit (mvv)

​The provisional residence permit (mvv) is a visa you need if you wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. For more information, check Regular provisional residence permit (mvv).

Dutch representation

​This is the Dutch embassy or consulate.

formal decision

​A formal letter with the decision on your application.

TWV

​A TWV is a work permit. The employer applies for a TWV with UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency). UWV examines among other things if there is no employee with the Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality that is qualified for the job.