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For most expats settling in the Netherlands, the Kennismigrant is the faster, more flexible option. The EU Blue Card becomes more attractive if you hold a degree and anticipate relocating to another EU country in the future.
The Highly Skilled Migrant permit (kennismigrant) is the Netherlands' primary immigration pathway for qualified professionals from outside the EU/EEA. With processing times of two to four weeks, no labour market test, and access to valuable tax benefits, it is one of the most efficient work visa programmes in Europe. But the application hinges on meeting precise salary thresholds—and the rules are tightening. This guide covers everything you need to know to apply, maintain your status, and plan your long-term residency in 2026.
Kennismigrant Visa Essentials (2026)
- Salary threshold (age 30+): €5,942 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance)
- Salary threshold (under 30): €4,357 gross per month
- Graduates / highly educated: €3,122 gross per month
- Academic researchers: €3,583 gross per month (publicly funded institutions)
- Processing time: 2–4 weeks through a recognised sponsor
- Maximum duration: Up to 5 years (matches employment contract)
- No degree required: Standard Kennismigrant is salary-based, not degree-based
- Family: Spouse and children can join with unrestricted work access
- 30% ruling: Up to 30% of salary tax-free (reducing to 27% from 2027 for new applicants)
- Job loss: 3-month search period to find a new recognised sponsor
Upcoming changes: In 2025, the Dutch government announced plans to set stricter rules for the Kennismigrant procedure, including income thresholds expected to increase by more than the usual annual indexation in 2027, and stricter requirements for recognised sponsors. These proposals have not yet been passed by parliament. This guide reflects the rules as of April 2026.
1. Who Can Apply for a Kennismigrant Visa?
The Kennismigrant permit is available to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have a job offer from a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) in the Netherlands. The employer applies for the permit on the employee's behalf—you cannot apply independently.Core requirements
- Employment contract: A signed contract with a recognised sponsor specifying role, salary, and duration
- Salary threshold: Your gross monthly salary must meet the applicable minimum for your age category
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay
- No public order risk: You must not pose a risk to public order or national security
- TB test: Applicants from certain countries may need a tuberculosis test
2026 salary thresholds
| Category | Monthly Gross Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age 30 or older | €5,942 | Standard threshold; excludes 8% holiday allowance |
| Under age 30 | €4,357 | Age at application submission determines category |
| Graduates of Dutch universities | €3,122 | Highly educated migrant category |
| Academic researchers | €3,583 | Universities, UMCs, NWO/KNAW-funded institutes |
| EU Blue Card (standard) | €5,688 | Alternative EU-wide permit; requires degree |
| EU Blue Card (reduced) | €4,551 | For shortage occupations |
The 30th birthday rule: Your age at the moment your employer submits the application determines which salary threshold applies. If you are 29 when the application is filed, the lower threshold applies—even if you turn 30 before the permit is issued. Plan your application timing accordingly if you are approaching 30.
2. Recognised Sponsors: What You Need to Know
Only employers registered as a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) with the IND can apply for a Kennismigrant permit. The IND maintains a public register of recognised sponsors, which you can check on the IND website.What does recognised sponsor status mean?
To become a recognised sponsor, a company must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the Tax Authority, and the IND. The IND assesses financial stability, compliance record, and suitability to sponsor. Once approved, the company can submit Kennismigrant applications directly and benefits from fast-track processing.Sponsor obligations
Recognised sponsors have ongoing legal obligations toward their sponsored employees and the IND:- Duty of care (zorgplicht): Assist the employee with practical matters like housing, insurance, and registration
- Information duty: Provide information about rights and obligations in the Netherlands
- Administration duty: Keep accurate records of the sponsored employee's situation
- Reporting duty: Changes in the employment relationship must be reported to the IND promptly
- Salary payment proof: From January 2026, recognised sponsors are required to submit proof of actual salary payment
Verify your employer. Before accepting a job offer, confirm that your employer is a recognised sponsor by checking the IND's public register. If the company is not yet recognised, the registration process can take several weeks and your visa application cannot proceed until it is approved.
3. The Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Employer obtains recognised sponsor status
If not already registered, your employer applies to the IND for recognised sponsor status. Processing takes approximately 4–6 weeks.Step 2: Employer submits the permit application
Your employer files the Kennismigrant application through the IND portal, including your employment contract, passport copies, and proof of salary. If an MVV (entry visa) is needed, both are applied for simultaneously.Step 3: IND processes the application
For recognised sponsors, processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. The IND may request additional documents. Ensure all paperwork is complete to avoid delays.Step 4: MVV collection (if applicable)
If you need an MVV, you collect it from the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. Citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and several others are exempt.Step 5: Arrival and registration
After arrival, register with your local municipality within 5 days, obtain a BSN (citizen service number), and collect your residence permit card from the IND.Step 6: Settle in
Arrange health insurance (mandatory), open a Dutch bank account, and—if eligible—apply for the 30% ruling through your employer's payroll administration.4. The 30% Ruling: Tax Benefits for Skilled Migrants
One of the most attractive benefits of the Kennismigrant route is eligibility for the 30% ruling (30%-regeling). This allows your employer to pay up to 30% of your gross salary tax-free as a reimbursement for extraterritorial costs—the additional costs of living and working abroad.Eligibility requirements
- You must have been recruited from abroad or transferred to the Netherlands
- You must have lived more than 150 km from the Dutch border for at least 16 of the 24 months before starting work
- You must possess specific expertise not readily available in the Dutch labour market
- Your taxable salary (after the 30% deduction) must still meet the minimum salary threshold
Changes to the 30% ruling
| Period | Percentage | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| First applied before 2024 | 30% for full 5-year term | Transition arrangements until 2027 |
| First applied in 2024 | 30% → 27% → 10% (tiered) | Transition arrangements apply |
| First applied 2025 or later | 27% from 2027 | New applicants under revised rules |
Partial foreign tax liability abolished: From January 2025, the option to choose partial foreign tax liability (partieel buitenlands belastingplichtig) has been abolished. This was previously used by 30% ruling holders to exclude certain assets from Dutch Box 3 taxation. Transition arrangements exist for those who held the ruling before 2025.
5. Family Reunification
Kennismigrant visa holders can bring their family to the Netherlands through the family reunification procedure. Eligible family members include:- Spouse or registered partner
- Children under 18
- Unmarried partner (with proof of a durable, exclusive relationship)
Key benefits for family members
- Unrestricted work access: Spouses and partners receive a residence permit allowing them to work for any employer or as a self-employed professional, without a separate work permit
- Simultaneous application: Family permits can be applied for at the same time as the Kennismigrant application
- Access to education: Children have the right to attend Dutch schools, including international schools
Financial requirements
The sponsor (the Kennismigrant visa holder) must demonstrate sufficient income to support the family. In practice, the Kennismigrant salary threshold typically satisfies this requirement. The sponsor must also arrange adequate housing before the family's arrival.6. What Happens If You Lose Your Job?
Your Kennismigrant permit is tied to your employment with a specific recognised sponsor. If you lose your job—whether through dismissal, redundancy, or resignation—the permit does not automatically end, but you must act quickly.The 3-month search period
- You have 3 months from the end of your employment to find a new job with a recognised sponsor
- During this period, your residence permit remains valid
- Your former employer is obligated to report the termination to the IND
- If you find new employment within the search period, your new employer submits a fresh Kennismigrant application
If you do not find new employment
- The IND may initiate revocation of your residence permit after the 3-month period
- You may be able to switch to a different permit type—for example, the Orientation Year visa (zoekjaar) if you graduated from a Dutch university
- Self-employment is another option, but requires a different residence permit
- It is essential to seek immigration advice before the search period expires
Do not wait until the deadline. Three months passes quickly, especially if you also need to negotiate severance or resolve a dispute with your former employer. Start your job search immediately and consult an immigration lawyer early to understand your options—including alternative permit routes and potential IND extensions.
7. Changing Employers
The Kennismigrant permit is employer-specific. You cannot simply switch to a new employer and continue working—a new application is required:- The new employer must be a recognised sponsor
- The new employer submits a fresh Kennismigrant application to the IND
- You cannot start working for the new employer until the IND issues a decision or provides temporary authorisation
- The new employer must notify the IND of the change within 4 weeks
- If your salary or contract terms change, the IND reassesses eligibility against the current thresholds
8. Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Time spent on a Kennismigrant permit counts toward Dutch permanent residence and citizenship. Here is the typical pathway:| Milestone | Requirement | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | 5 years of continuous lawful residence, sufficient income, civic integration exam (or exemption) | After 5 years |
| Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) | 5 years of continuous residence, civic integration, renunciation of previous nationality (exceptions exist) | After 5 years |
| EU Long-Term Resident | 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the Netherlands | After 5 years |
Civic integration exemption: Many Kennismigrant holders are exempt from the civic integration requirement (inburgeringsplicht) during their temporary residence. However, if you apply for permanent residence or citizenship, you may need to pass the civic integration exam or language test (B1 level Dutch). Check your specific exemption status with the IND or your municipality.
9. Kennismigrant vs. EU Blue Card: Which Is Better?
Both the Kennismigrant and the EU Blue Card allow skilled professionals to work in the Netherlands. The main differences:| Feature | Kennismigrant | EU Blue Card |
|---|---|---|
| Degree required? | No | Yes (higher education qualification) |
| Salary threshold (age 30+) | €5,942 | €5,688 (standard) / €4,551 (shortage) |
| EU mobility | Netherlands-specific | Easier mobility across EU member states |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks | Similar when through recognised sponsor |
| Job change flexibility | New application per employer | Restrictions in first 12 months; more flexible after |
| Best for | Professionals without degree; NL-focused careers | Degree holders considering EU-wide mobility |
10. FAQ
IND recognised sponsors
HSM • Family • 30% Ruling
What is the minimum salary for a Kennismigrant visa in 2026?
For 2026, the minimum gross monthly salary (excluding 8% holiday allowance) is €5,942 for applicants aged 30 or older, €4,357 for applicants under 30, and €3,122 for graduates of Dutch universities. Academic researchers at publicly funded institutions have a reduced threshold of €3,583. These amounts are indexed annually.
How long does the application take?
Applications through recognised sponsors are typically processed by the IND in 2 to 4 weeks—among the fastest work visa processing times in Europe. If an MVV is also needed, it is applied for simultaneously. Incomplete applications or additional document requests can cause delays, so ensure all paperwork is thorough from the start.
Do I need a degree?
No. The standard Kennismigrant visa does not require a specific degree—eligibility is based on salary threshold and employment with a recognised sponsor. However, certain reduced salary thresholds (for "highly educated migrants" and the EU Blue Card) do require proof of a higher education qualification.
What happens if I lose my job?
You have a 3-month search period to find new employment with a recognised sponsor. During this time, your residence permit remains valid. If you do not find new employment within 3 months, the IND may revoke your permit. Other options include switching to the Orientation Year visa (if you graduated from a Dutch university) or applying for a different permit type. Seek immigration advice promptly.
Can I change employers?
Yes, but the new employer must be a recognised sponsor and must submit a new Kennismigrant application to the IND. You cannot start working for the new employer until the IND issues a decision or temporary authorisation. Ensure the new employer has sponsor status before resigning, and factor in processing time.
Can my spouse work in the Netherlands?
Yes. Spouses and registered partners who hold a dependent residence permit linked to a Kennismigrant visa have unrestricted access to the Dutch labour market. They can work for any employer or as a self-employed professional without needing a separate work permit. The family reunification permit is typically applied for simultaneously with the Kennismigrant application.
What is the 30% ruling and am I eligible?
The 30% ruling allows your employer to pay up to 30% of your gross salary tax-free as a reimbursement for extraterritorial costs. To qualify, you must have been recruited from abroad, have lived more than 150 km from the Dutch border for at least 16 of the 24 months before starting work, and possess specific expertise not readily available in the Dutch labour market. Note that from 2027, the ruling reduces to 27% for those who first applied in 2025 or later.
Can I start a side business on a Kennismigrant permit?
Yes, since 2017, Kennismigrant permit holders can start a side business alongside their primary sponsored employment. However, your permit remains tied to your main employment—the side business cannot replace or become your primary activity. If you want to become fully self-employed, you would need a different residence permit (such as the self-employment visa or DAFT for Americans).