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Highly skilled migrant — reduced salary criterion

NetherlandsTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

Highly skilled migrants to whom the reduced salary criterion applies: applicants who hold, or previously held, the orientation-year permit for highly educated persons, or who meet its requirements (e.g. graduates, doctoral graduates or researchers), with the application made during the orientation year or within 3 years of graduation, the doctoral defence ceremony or expiry of the research permit.

See recorded sources
  • https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements
    The reduced salary criterion applies in these 3 cases: The residence permit for a highly skilled migrant is applied for during the residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons. The highly skilled migrant no longer has a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons, but did have this permit. The residence permit for a highly skilled migrant is applied for within 3 years of the graduation date or date of the doctoral defence ceremony. Or it is applied for within 3 years of the date on which the residence permit for research expired. The highly skilled migrant has never had a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons, but does meet the requirements for that residence purpose. For example because the highly skilled migrant has graduated, obtained a doctoral degree or has done research. The application for the residence permit for a highly skilled migrant must be submitted within 3 years of the graduation date or date of the doctoral defence ceremony. Or it must be submitted within 3 years of the date on which the residence permit for research expired.

What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

The required level is set by salary: at least EUR 3,122.00 gross per month (2026, reduced salary criterion) and in line with the market rate.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source frames this as an income requirement, not recognition; no award, publication or reputation evidence is listed among the requirements (silence, not an explicit exclusion).

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

An employer recognised by the IND is required to apply for the permit.

See recorded sources
  • Main content
    Only an employer recognised by the IND can apply for your permit.

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

The holder may work as a highly skilled migrant for an employer and also as a self-employed person; other work needs a work permit (TWV) obtained by the employer. The holder can change employer, provided the salary requirement applicable on the start date of the new contract is met. The official source does not state the family position.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Family accompaniment is not clearly established on the page (only an application form for family members via a recognised sponsor is listed).

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

Valid for the duration of the contract or job, up to a maximum of 5 years; the employer can extend the permit; after holding a residence permit for 5 years the holder can apply for a permanent residence permit.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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