Work together, innovate together.

There are two residence permits if you want to work in the Netherlands that we want to highlight: the residence permit for essential startup personnel and the residence permit for highly skilled migrants. Discover the career opportunities in the Netherlands and define your next move.

Residence permit for essential startup personnel

The residence permit for essential startup personnel makes it possible for startups at an early stage to hire employees with specific high-valued expertise, experience and skills from abroad. This permit benefits startups as well as employees.

1. Criteria for the startup

The following conditions apply for your startup when hiring essential employees from abroad:

  • The startup has an innovative and scalable business model
  • The startup is financially sound
  • The startup has a maximum of 15 employees
  • The startup can hire a maximum of 5 employees with the essential startup personnel program
  • The employee receives a share of at least 1% in the company with a maximum vesting period of 36 months

2. Criteria for the employee

The following conditions apply for you as an employee:

  • The employee is an expert in a special field that the startup needs in this beginning phase
  • The employee has an employment contract with the company
  • The employee has an employee participation agreement with the company
  • The employee meets the income requirements

3. Submit your application

As an employee, register your application at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The costs to process your application include a one-time fee.

Learn more about this permit >>

Highly skilled migrant

The permit for highly skilled migrants offers people the opportunity to obtain a residence permit for the Netherlands. For this, you must have an employment contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands.

1. Prepare your affairs

The following conditions apply:

  • Your employer has an employment contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands. This employer must be a recognized sponsor by the IND.
  • You are going to earn sufficient income.
  • The agreed wage is in agreement with market conditions.

2. Salary criteria for 2021

  • Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older: € 5,008 gross per month
  • Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years: ​€ 3,672 gross per month
  • Reduced salary criterion*: ​€ 2,631 gross per month.

*Are you eligible for or did you make use of the orientation year visa? You could benefit from the reduced salary criterion. For more information please click here.

3. Submit your application

Register your application at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The costs to process your application include a one-time fee.

Learn more about this permit >>