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Netherlands · Talent & merit

Netherlands Highly skilled migrant — reduced salary criterion

11 facts quoted from the official source

Highly skilled migrant route through an IND-recognised employer at the applicable 2026 salary threshold.

Income required
€3,122/mo
the lowest published threshold
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
5
each quoted below
Leads to
Residence permit
quoted from the official source
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

5 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Employment, placement or host agreementYou have an employment contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands.
  • Job offer or appointmentOnly an employer recognised by the IND can apply for you.
  • Minimum salaryRequired amount for highly skilled migrant: €3,122.checked 2026-07-27
  • Age requirementThe reduced salary criterion applies to qualifying recent graduates, orientation-year eligible persons and specified researchers.
  • Qualifications or professional authorisationFor an applicable healthcare profession you must be registered in the BIG register.
Also stated by the source
  • Passport or travel-document requirementYou have a valid passport or other travel document.
  • Purpose or legal basisThe employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor, the worker must have an employment contract and the salary must meet both the applicable threshold and market-rate test.
  • Work rightsWork as a highly skilled migrant and as a self-employed person allowed; other work allowed with TWV.
  • Long-term residence or conversion pathHave you had a residence permit for 5 years? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Government feeThe application costs € 423,00.checked 2026-07-27
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingThe residence permit is valid for the same period as the employment contract, up to 5 years.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Netherlands route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Netherlands?
The official source states: Highly skilled migrant route through an IND-recognised employer at the applicable 2026 salary threshold.
02How much money do I need?
The lowest published threshold is €3,122/mo (income), from the official record.
03What does this route lead to?
The official source states: Have you had a residence permit for 5 years? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Every answer is quoted from the official ind.nl page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 11 points against the official source; 11 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source ind.nlLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this Netherlands government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other talent & merit routes to Netherlands

8 other talent & merit routes to Netherlands.

Essential start-up personnel residence permitEuropean Blue Card — reduced salary criterionEuropean Blue Card — standard salary criterionHighly skilled migrant — age 30 or olderHighly skilled migrant — under age 30Orientation year — Dutch higher education, doctorate or research
Same category, elsewhere

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