Moving to the Netherlands for work as a non-EU professional (2026)
The official rules for moving to the Netherlands for work from outside the EU in 2026, each linked to its source: sponsors, salary amounts, decision period, entry visa, TB test, orientation year, 30% ruling and language.
Published · Updated · 6 min read
This guide covers the official rules for moving to the Netherlands for work if you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland. Each rule links to the government page it comes from. It does not cover how long each step takes for you, because that depends on your employer, the IND, appointments and your documents.
The highly skilled migrant route
Most non-EU professionals come in through the highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) permit. Two conditions decide whether it is open for a job: the employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor, and the gross monthly salary must be at or above the required amount for your situation. The employer submits the application, not you.
| Situation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant, 30 or older | €5,942 |
| Highly skilled migrant, under 30 | €4,357 |
| Reduced criterion (recent graduates, orientation year) | €3,122 |
| EU Blue Card | €5,942 |
| EU Blue Card, reduced criterion | €4,754 |
Source: IND required amounts, last verified 10 October 2026. If an offer is below the amount that applies to you, the highly skilled migrant route is closed for that job.
How long the decision takes
The legal decision period for a highly skilled migrant application is 90 days, and the IND can extend it by 30 days for a first application. How long your case actually takes depends on your employer, the IND, embassy appointments and your documents.
Entry visa (MVV) and TB test depend on your nationality
Some nationalities need a provisional residence permit (MVV) to enter the Netherlands for a long stay; others are exempt. Some nationalities must also take a tuberculosis (TB) test, which is part of the IND's requirements that apply to everyone. Check both pages for your own nationality.
The orientation year for recent graduates
If you recently graduated from a Dutch university or certain top-ranked universities abroad, the orientation year lets you look for work in the Netherlands. Employers can then hire you under the reduced salary criterion.
The 30% ruling is a separate tax facility
The 30% ruling is a tax facility from the Belastingdienst, not part of the permit. You and your employer request it together; to apply from your first working day, the joint request must be made within four months of starting. It has its own conditions, separate from the IND amounts.
Finding employers that can sponsor you
Only employers in the IND public register of recognised sponsors can apply for a highly skilled migrant permit. You can search our copy of the register by company or by sector on the sponsor check. Being on the register means a company may sponsor; it does not mean it has vacancies or will sponsor you.
- Shortlist employers from the register in your field before applying.
- Check that a vacancy's gross monthly salary, excluding holiday allowance, meets your required amount.
- Read our guide on finding visa sponsorship jobs.
Language
Dutch is not required for the permit itself. Many international companies and multinationals in the Netherlands work in English, especially where teams or clients are international. Other employers and client-facing roles ask for Dutch. Read the language requirement in each vacancy and target the roles where your languages fit.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I move to the Netherlands for work from outside the EU?
- Most non-EU professionals use the highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) route. You need a job offer from an employer that the IND has recognised as a sponsor, and a gross monthly salary at or above the IND required amount for your situation. The employer submits the application.
- What salary do I need for a highly skilled migrant permit in 2026?
- Gross per month, excluding the 8% holiday allowance: €5,942 if you are 30 or older, €4,357 if you are under 30, and €3,122 under the reduced criterion for recent graduates. For the EU Blue Card the amount is €5,942, or €4,754 under the reduced criterion. Source: ind.nl required amounts.
- Which companies sponsor visas in the Netherlands?
- Only employers listed in the IND public register of recognised sponsors can bring you in as a highly skilled migrant. You can search the register on the IND website or by company and sector on ClearToNL's sponsor check. Being on the register means a company may sponsor, not that it is hiring.
- How long does the IND take to decide?
- The legal decision period for a highly skilled migrant application is 90 days, and the IND can extend it by 30 days for a first application. How long your case actually takes depends on your employer, the IND, embassy appointments and your documents.
- Do I need to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands?
- Dutch is not required for the permit itself. Many international companies and multinationals work in English, especially where teams or clients are international. Other employers and client-facing roles ask for Dutch, so check the language requirement in each vacancy.