What is a highly skilled migrant?
True talent does not stick to the borders of the Netherlands. More and more often, companies get their new employees from abroad, sometimes even outside the European Union (third countries). Highly skilled migrants, or in Dutch: kennismigranten, are people who came to work in the Netherlands from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland with specialist knowledge. The highly skilled migrant scheme (kennismigrantenregeling) makes it easier for companies to hire highly educated staff from outside the EU. Would you like to hire a highly skilled migrant? As an employer, you must meet certain conditions, rules, and obligations.
Help with hiring highly skilled migrants
Your organization must become a recognized sponsor (erkend referent) with the IND. The highly skilled migrants also need a work permit and residence permit for the Netherlands. In some cases, an MVV visa is required. In addition, highly skilled migrants are often entitled to the 30% ruling. So, there is a lot to arrange as an employer. We take the entire process off your hands. Fill in our contact form or call us on +31 20 – 2170120 to discuss the possibilities.
IND recognized sponsor
Before your company can hire highly skilled migrants, it must become a recognized sponsor. And to be considered a recognized sponsor, the company must be seen as a reliable partner for the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). You also have to pay fees to the IND to be a recognized sponsor. These costs amount to €4.560 in 2024. However, has your company been in existence for less than 1.5 years, and are fewer than 50 employees employed? Then you pay a reduced amount of €2.279.
Obligations as a recognized sponsor IND
As a recognized sponsor, you must comply with obligations, and the IND will check whether you stick to them. If you do not comply with the rules, the IND can take various measures. For example, withdraw from being a recognized sponsor, fines, or revoking the residence permit(s) of your foreign employee(s). Your obligations:
- Duty of care towards the highly skilled migrant. The company is responsible for the application of the MVV visa, work, and resident permit.
- Administration and retention obligation. The employer must keep the data for up to 5 years after the highly skilled migrant no longer works there.
- Information obligation. The employer must report all changes concerning the right of residence to the IND.
Highly skilled migrants visa
As a recognized sponsor, you will be entered in a public register, and you may use the highly skilled migrant scheme, which is a fast-track application procedure for residence permits. Not everyone outside the EU qualifies for a highly skilled migrant permit in the Netherlands. For example, the new employee must be highly educated and the income of the highly skilled migrant must meet an income standard. Via the highly skilled migrant scheme, you can use an accelerated procedure.
Highly skilled migrant salary 2024
The salary norm of a highly skilled migrant depends on their age. The salary criterion for a highly skilled migrant in 2024:
- 30 years or older: €5.331 monthly gross income
- Under the age of 30: €3.909 monthly gross income
- Reduced salary criterion: €2.801 gross monthly wage
The annual income requirement for highly skilled migrants is indexed on a yearly basis (often an increase). It is good to know that the salary of a highly skilled migrant does not have to increase with this minimum salary standard. Even if the highly skilled migrant has turned 30 and still works for the same company, the salary standard remains the same. However, when the highly skilled migrant starts working for a new employer, the salary standard for that year will apply.
Highly skilled migrant & 30% ruling
If you hire a highly skilled migrant, they are probably also eligible for the 30% ruling. This is a tax-free allowance to reimburse the so-called extraterritorial costs. As an employer, you may pay out 30% of the salary tax-free. This scheme does not come into effect automatically, but employer and employee have to apply for it together. We are happy to help you with the application of the 30% ruling.
Help with the highly skilled migrant scheme?
Talk directly to one of our advisors
Fill in our contact form, and we will get in touch
Send your message message to + 31 20 – 2170120
Call us on +31 20 – 2170120
We help you out with the entire process of hiring a highly skilled migrant. Feel free to contact us using the details below.