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Netherlands work visa
Netherlands work visa: eligibility, salary, and process
A Netherlands work visa lets Indian professionals work for a Dutch employer, usually through the highly skilled migrant permit. For 2026, the IND salary is 5,942 euros gross per month for ages 30 and over, and 4,357 euros for under 30. A recognised sponsor applies on your behalf.
✓ Decision in around 2 weeks
✓ Family can join and work
Data current as of June 2026
Quick facts for the Netherlands work visa
Use these key numbers as a starting point. The IND sets the rules and updates the amounts each January. Always confirm the figure for your own case before you rely on it.
What the Netherlands work visa is
The Netherlands work visa is a residence permit that lets a non EU national live and work in the country. For most Indian professionals, the route is the highly skilled migrant permit. A Dutch employer that is a recognised sponsor applies for it through the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, known as the IND.
This route has no labour market test. Instead, your gross monthly salary acts as the skill measure. If your pay meets the IND amount for your age group, and your role matches Dutch market levels, you can qualify. That design makes the Netherlands one of the faster destinations for skilled workers.
The EU Blue Card is a second route for highly qualified workers. It has its own salary rule and can support later movement within the EU. Most candidates choose between these two, based on salary, job offer, and long term plans.
Not sure which route fits your profile?
Get a clear eligibility check against the current IND salary rules before you spend on an application.
Netherlands work visa salary requirements
The salary threshold is the single most important rule. The IND publishes new gross monthly amounts every January. The figures below apply to applications from 1 January 2026 and exclude the 8 percent holiday allowance. The amount that counts is the one in force on your application date, or on the start date with a new employer.
| Applicant type | Gross per month (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant, 30 years or older | €5,942 | Also applies to intra corporate transferees |
| Highly skilled migrant, under 30 years | €4,357 | Higher amount can apply after turning 30 on an employer change |
| Reduced salary criterion (recent graduates) | €3,122 | For orientation year holders and recent graduates, conditions apply |
| EU Blue Card | €5,942 | Separate route for highly qualified workers |
| EU Blue Card, reduced (recent graduates) | €4,754 | Within 3 years of graduation, conditions apply |
Source: IND, required amounts valid from 1 January 2026. Amounts exclude the 8 percent holiday allowance and are reviewed each year.
Only fixed, contractually agreed pay counts toward the threshold. Variable pay such as overtime and tips, and the value of payments in kind, do not count. Fixed allowances may count if they are in your contract and paid monthly into your bank account.
Who is eligible for the Netherlands work visa
Eligibility for the highly skilled migrant route is built around the employer and the salary, not a fixed degree list. You can qualify when these core points are met.
- You have a job offer from a Dutch employer that is an IND recognised sponsor.
- Your gross monthly salary meets the IND amount for your age group.
- Your salary is at the normal market level for the role.
- Your salary is paid monthly into a bank account in your name.
- You hold a valid passport and meet the standard entry conditions.
Recent graduates may use the reduced salary amount if they finished a Dutch orientation year, or apply within three years of graduation, a doctoral defence, or the end of a research permit. Timing and conditions decide whether this lower amount applies.
How the Netherlands work visa process works
The recognised sponsor leads the application. Your role is to provide a complete, accurate file. The steps below show the usual flow for an Indian applicant who needs an MVV entry visa.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Job offer | A recognised sponsor offers a role that meets the salary rule. |
| 2. Application | The sponsor applies to the IND for the residence permit, and the MVV where needed. |
| 3. Decision | The IND decides within its legal period and issues payment instructions. |
| 4. MVV collection | You collect the MVV from the Dutch mission and travel within its validity. |
| 5. Arrival | You enter the Netherlands and may start work once approved. |
| 6. Residence card | You give biometrics and collect your residence permit card from the IND. |
An MVV is an entry visa for stays longer than 90 days. Indian nationals usually need one. Some nationalities are exempt and can travel in a permit exempt period. We confirm which path applies to you.
Want your file checked before it reaches the IND?
A complete, error free file is the best way to avoid avoidable delays. We review every document with you first.
Netherlands work visa fees and processing time
The IND sets the official fees and updates them each January. The recognised sponsor usually pays the permit fee. Processing times are estimates and depend on a complete file and the IND workload.
| Item | Amount or time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Highly skilled migrant or EU Blue Card permit fee | €423 | Per application, 2026 amount |
| Family member permit fee | €254 | Per family member, 2026 amount |
| IND legal decision period | Up to 90 days | Statutory maximum |
| Target time via recognised sponsor | Around 2 weeks | For a complete file, an estimate that can vary |
Source: IND fees and decision periods for 2026. Fees are set by the Dutch government and can change at any time.
Extra costs can include document legalisation, certified translation, and travel. We give you a clear cost picture for your situation so there are no surprises later in the process.
Why the Netherlands needs skilled workers
The Netherlands faces shortages in technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance. Many people are retiring, and Dutch firms need skilled talent to keep growing. The highly skilled migrant route exists to bring that talent in quickly, without a labour market test.
This demand keeps the route attractive for Indian professionals. At the same time, the IND has raised compliance checks. From 2026, recognised sponsors must keep proof that salaries were actually paid, not just payslips. A clean, well prepared file matters more than ever.
The Dutch government has stated its intention to tighten the highly skilled migrant scheme, with stricter sponsor rules and higher salary thresholds proposed for the coming years.
Factual policy position, Ministry of Asylum and Migration, Government of the Netherlands. Reported in the official EMN Netherlands annual migration overview and the OECD International Migration Outlook 2025. The current minister is Bart van den Brink, in office since February 2026.
For applicants, the practical takeaway is simple. The current rules are still open and the salary amounts for 2026 are fixed. Acting now, under the present framework, can help you apply before tighter thresholds and stricter sponsor checks take effect.
What applicants should do next
Start with an honest eligibility check against the current IND salary amount for your age group. Confirm that your job offer comes from a recognised sponsor. Then build a complete document set before the sponsor submits anything to the IND.
Meeting the eligibility criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the immigration authority. We help you prepare well, present your case clearly, and follow the correct steps so your application has the strongest possible footing.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Netherlands work visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian professionals through every step of the Netherlands work visa, from eligibility check to document review and submission through a recognised sponsor. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your free assessment today.