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EU blue card holder

You wish to work in the Netherlands as a holder of a European blue card from another Member State. You need a residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands. What are the conditions and how does the application procedure work?

​Your employer can choose to become a recognised sponsor. This is not obligatory. Recognition as a sponsor has various advantages.

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

Conditions

There are certain conditions that apply to everyone. In addition, the following conditions apply:

  • You have an employment contract for a highly qualified job for at least 12 months to work for an employer in the Netherlands.
  • You must meet the wage requirement set.
  • You have a diploma, showing that you have completed a higher education programme of at least 3 years. If this is a foreign higher education diploma, the Nuffic will evaluate the diploma. The evaluation must be enclosed with the application. When you have a Dutch diploma, you have to enclose a certified copy of the diploma.
  • If you have a (regulated) profession such as doctor or lawyer, you must prove that you meet the statutory requirements for being allowed to practise this profession.
  • For a period of 5 years before the application, the employer may not have been fined for having violated Article 2 of the Foreign Nationals Employment Act, or for failure to pay (sufficient) wage tax, employee insurance premiums or national insurance contributions.

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

Costs

This application costs € 285.

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.

 

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. For example, when you have stayed at least 18 months as holder of a European blue card in another Member State.

Your 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 employer. Your 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.

6. 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 holder of a European blue card (recognised sponsor)7513

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

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents 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.​​​​​​

Download  

Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence being ‘residence as holder of a European blue card’ (sponsor)7517

Your non-recognised employer uses this form to submit your application.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the supporting documents that you have to enclose with your application.

You must 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 (clear enough to be read).
  • 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.

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.​​​​​​​

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 € 66. ​

Apply online  Download  

Application forms and costs
Application for the purpose of residence of holder of a European blue card (recognised sponsor) (7513)7513

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

Checklist documents

Your employer has a list of documents you need.

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

Costs application

This application costs € 285.

  • Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 57.​​​​​​

Download  

Application for a residence permit with the purpose of residence being ‘residence as holder of a European blue card’ (sponsor)7517

Your non-recognised employer uses this form to submit your application.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the supporting documents that you have to enclose with your application.

You must 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 (clear enough to be read).
  • 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.

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.​​​​​​​

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 € 66. 

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.

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.

Please contact your municipality in advance to check which (legalised and translated) documents/ certificates you need to take with you.

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

​The residence permit is valid for the duration of your employment contract or assignment with an additional 3 months. With a maximum period of 4 years.

Right to work

The back of your residence permit shows if you are allowed to work. Your residence permit shows the following employment status: 'arbeid als houder van een Europese blauwe kaart en als zelfstandige toegestaan, andere arbeid toegestaan met TWV'. This means that you are allowed to work as holder of a European Blue Card. In addition, you are allowed to work as a self employed person. If you wish to do other work, your employer must first have 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).

certified copy

A 'certified copy' is a copy of a record which has been affixed with an original stamp/seal by the issuing institution, thus proving that it is a genuine copy of an original document issued by that institution. For this you need to contact the educational institute where you earned your diploma or certificate​.

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.