Highly Skilled Migrant permit for the Netherlands: requirements and salary
Most tech hires from outside the EU come to the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant). The employer must be an IND recognised sponsor, and your salary must meet the IND's required amount for your age group. The EU Blue Card is the alternative for people with a degree.
Checked against the official sources below on 2026-10-22. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 30 or older (2026): €5,942 gross a month
- Younger than 30 (2026): €4,357 gross a month
- Recent graduates (2026): €3,122 gross a month
- EU Blue Card (2026): €5,942 gross a month, €4,754 for recent graduates
Visa-sponsored jobs in Netherlands
34 visa-sponsored tech jobs in Netherlands on The Stack right now, from 18 companies, the latest posted on 2026-10-21. See all visa sponsorship jobs in Netherlands
Companies sponsoring
Who qualifies
- A job with an employer that the IND has recognised as a sponsor. Only recognised sponsors can apply for a highly skilled migrant.
- A gross monthly salary of at least the required amount on the date of the application. The amounts change every 1 January.
- The reduced amount (€3,122 in 2026) applies if you apply within 3 years of graduating, of a doctorate, or of the end of a research permit, or during an orientation year permit.
- The amounts exclude holiday allowance. A fixed allowance such as a thirteenth month only counts if the contract includes it and it is paid monthly.
How it works
- Your employer applies to the IND on your behalf.
- When you change employer, the new employer must also be a recognised sponsor, and the required amount on the start date of the new contract applies.