The Netherlands: Immigration Policy for 2025

These are the essential rules businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled workers need to know to work compliantly in the Netherlands 

28 July 2025 | By Alex Schulte

Since the 1960s, the Netherlands has gone from a country of emigration to immigration, with over 16% of the country identifying as foreign-born as of 2024. People from around the world are drawn to the Netherlands for its open, liberal, and well-regulated economy, as well as its membership in the European Union. 

But immigration is changing in the Netherlands — a result of rising anti-immigrant fervour, caused by a perceived “asylum crisis”. This is coupled with — and oddly counterpoised to — acute Dutch labour market shortages in critical industries. 

Legislation passed by the (recently collapsed) right-wing Dutch coalition government introduced significant changes that will affect how companies source foreign talent. The new rulebook threatens tougher compliance measures, higher salary thresholds, and increased sponsorship obligations. 

Global Mobility teams, compliance officers, HR and hiring managers and entrepreneurs all need to understand the Netherlands’ visa options, including the Highly Skilled Migrant Program, EU Blue Card, and Startup Visa. 

This guide provides a comprehensive study of the various business immigration pathways available – and how to stay continuously compliant.

Understanding Dutch Immigration Policy in 2025

As in many EU member states, Dutch immigration policy is a compromise between talent shortages and public concerns over migration. 

Long-term migration has increased in recent years. Between 2021-2022 alone, there was a 59.6% rise in total immigration. Yet out of the 403,108 migrants to arrive in the country in 2022, just 26,200, or 6.5%, were classed as ‘knowledge migrants’: the official terminology for immigrants with specialist credentials in economically valuable sectors.

Backlash Against Asylum Seekers

This imbalance in the skill levels of inward migration prompted a public backlash, leading to the election in 2024 of the right-wing coalition government. Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV, the coalition’s largest party, promised “zero asylum seekers”, calling them a net burden on public services. The Dutch government has since introduced an emergency law ending permanent residence status for asylum seekers, among other things.

Here is the crux of the Dutch immigration system: the Netherlands seeks immigrants who make a net positive contribution to the economy and Dutch society. This is best seen by the abrupt ending of the Investor Visa, ended in April 2024 for failing to make any meaningful economic impact in its decades-long life. It had required a minimum investment of €1,250,000 but had received fewer than 10 applications in that time. In short, the Netherlands wants active entrepreneurship, not passive participation.

Skills Gaps in the Dutch Economy

However, even parties like PVV — one of the most right-wing in Western Europe — recognise the need for skilled immigration. There are significant skills gaps in the Dutch economy, which, in the first quarter of 2025, had the highest job vacancy rate in all of Europe: 4.2%. 

This can’t continue. The Netherlands is one of the most open and liberal economies in the world, driving impressive innovations in robotics and agri-food. The country needs to remain open to highly skilled foreign talent. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that the most in-demand roles (and the immigration applications most likely to be approved) are those in tech-facing roles like software development and engineering. 

eHerkenning and the New Restrictions

While the Dutch government recognises the need for skilled migration, it has sought to reform the system to stamp out perceived irregularities, injustices, and abuses.

Initiatives include: 

• Phasing out tax breaks for skilled foreign workers, starting from 30% and reducing by 10% every 20 months.
• Proposing more stringent naturalisation requirements — including renunciation of home country, B1 Dutch language requirements, and permanent residency after 10 years, not 5.
• Immigration authorities are intensifying scrutiny on businesses who employ foreign workers

Employers have tougher obligations, too. Before they’re able to submit applications on the IND Business Portal — where businesses submit work permit applications or report changes to employees’ statuses — they must obtain an eHerkenning level 3 or higher. This is essentially identity verification with a service provider, proving the business is who it says it is.

Moreover, any intermediaries involved in the employment process must also get prior approval and authorisation.

Future Immigration Changes After the 2025 Election

The Dutch government coalition collapsed in June 2025. At present, a caretaker cabinet is running the country until elections in October 2025.

But we foresee little change to the key dynamics of Dutch immigration policy. The political Right largely reserves its ire for asylum seekers, not skilled workers. High-growth regions like Brainport are full of tech companies that advocate for global talent, particularly in life sciences, tech, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and renewable energy. 

When it comes to border and labour market policy, rather little hangs in the balance in the election of October 2025. The policies governing skilled workers’ entry to the country will likely remain largely the same, though with some added tinkering: stricter naturalisation requirements, tougher screening, and higher cost thresholds.

Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSM)

The standard business visa for the Netherlands is the Highly Skilled Migrant Program, an employee-sponsored work permit for highly-skilled non-EU nationals. 

Owing to the highly skilled, high-paid qualifying roles, the HSM doesn’t require a labour market test, unlike the gecombineerde vergunning verblijf en arbeid (GVVA), which is far more stringent in comparison.

This is because highly skilled, professional work is generally not considered vulnerable to the labour market abuses found in industries like construction and hospitality.

Sponsorship Obligations

The process starts with the employer, who must first get authorised as a recognised sponsor by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). To do this, they need to register on the IND Portal and obtain an eHerkenning level 3 or higher.

Salary Thresholds

Candidates must also meet minimum salary thresholds, or their application will not be considered. 

• Age 30 or older: €5,688 monthly
• Under 30: €4,551 monthly
• EU Blue Card: €5,688 monthly
• Recent graduates: €2,989 monthly. 

Potential Policy Changes

The now-collapsed coalition government of the Netherlands, led by the right-wing Freedom Party, sought to toughen the HSM pathway due to concerns over abuse. On 4 July 2025, the outgoing cabinet submitted a proposal for tightening HSM eligibility rules. Their proposals included:

• Increasing salary thresholds
• Phasing out tax breaks
• Introducing new qualification requirements
• Reducing periods of allowed employee-sponsor inactivity from three years to two. 

If these changes pass into law after the October 2025 general election, the EU Blue Card will become a far more attractive option than Netherlands-specific routes, for both employers and employees.

The EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a golden ticket to the European Union (EU), not just the Netherlands or any other individual country. It allows highly skilled professionals to work in the Netherlands for a minimum of six months on a five-year, EU-wide visa. 

Requirements

It has less stringent bureaucratic requirements than the HSM pathway. For example, employers don’t need to meet any sponsorship requirements to hire EU Blue Card workers, as long as they have a contract. 

Second, employers can hire based on experience, not merely qualification level, for specific industries like IT, where five years of professional work experience is equivalent to three years of higher education. 

Remember: foreign qualifications must be recognised in the Netherlands, the recognition process being handled by Nuffic. 

The monthly salary thresholds are high, but remain strikingly similar to the HSM thresholds — 4,551 EUR for recent graduates, and 5,668 EUR for everyone else.

In other words, EU Blue Card applications make much more sense for both the employer and employee, particularly given added benefits like access to the EU and no sponsorship obligations. 

Benefits

The employee doesn’t just benefit from access to the European Union’s Schengen Area. The Blue Card is a path to long-term residency within the EU, which also enables family reunification.

It also allows extended periods of job seeking. In other words, an EU Blue Card isn’t a ‘tied visa’ bound by the life of the employment contract in a particular EU country. 

As stated, these benefits are only given to highly skilled professionals — the best in their related field — which is why the EU Blue Card offers fast-track processing. 

At the same time, in certain cases, the salary criteria can be higher for the Blue Card than for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program. This is true for graduates, PhD holders, or holders of the Orientation Visa. 

Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT)

The ICT is a work and residence permit that allows companies to transfer skilled employees — on a temporary assignment or secondment — to a Dutch branch or subsidiary. It’s a complex arrangement, more so than perhaps any other business immigration option in the Netherlands, as the employment contract is defined by the laws of a foreign power. 

Complex Conditions

There are all sorts of conditions attached. The Dutch branch, for instance, must demonstrate genuine economic activity, rather than simply serving as a vehicle for transfers.

Additionally, the applicant must be working outside the EU and have worked at the transferring company for a minimum of three months prior. Moreover, the transferee can’t have been transferred to the country in the last 6 months.

Consider the ICT as a ‘skilled worker plus’ arrangement because, despite the difference, the transferee’s salary must meet market conditions and the appropriate salary threshold.

How to Apply for the ICT Visa in the Netherlands

Owing to the legally complex nature of the arrangement, the application process requires meticulous attention to detail. As well as an employment contract, the transferring company must submit a letter of engagement outlining the transfer’s duration, not exceeding three years. 

Netherlands ICT Visa Requirements

The requirements depend on the specific role. The transferee can either be a trainee, specialist or manager. As for regulated professions — if the transferee is a doctor or architect, for instance — they must provide proof of their authorisation to practice in the Netherlands.

The Startup Visa

The Startup Visa is a one-year work and residence permit that lets foreign entrepreneurs set up an business in the Netherlands, provided it is innovative. 

That means it do at least one of the following:

• offer a new product or service, as of yet unseen in the Netherlands
• uses a new technology, whether in production, distribution or marketing
• introduces a novel way of working. 

Approved Facilitator

The whole process can only be completed with an approved facilitator that is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. The more experienced, the better; successful applicants report approval times as fast as six weeks when working with experienced facilitators. 

Working with an approved facilitator comes with the added benefit of a financial backing guarantee, which provides proof of financial means for the applicant. If the applicant cannot get this, they must provide a bank statement of €14,000-€17,000 (approximately 12 times minimum wage). 

There are several great facilitators to choose from. The Next Web (TNW) is deeply embedded in the national tech ecosystem, while Frank & the Backs offers structured application support. Estefania Hernandez — who built an AI-driven HR platform for skills mapping — credits Builders Studio with her rapid six-week approval process. 

Tip: Get prior banking support before your visa application. India telecom veteran Jignesh Dave faced a 6-month banking delay despite visa approval, and credits his facilitator with securing the business account. 

Application Process

Once the applicant has prior approval from a government-registered facilitator, they must submit an application, including a declaration by the said facilitator. 

In their application — which costs €405 —they must also include a detailed business plan. This should cover everything from their company’s organisational structure, its required personnel and company goals, as well as a description of the new product or service. The more detailed, the better. 

It takes the IND up to 90 days to usually process a startup application. But as we’ve already seen, getting backing from an approved, experienced facilitator can cut the processing time down to as little as six weeks. 

How to Extend Your Netherlands Startup Visa

After the initial one-year period, entrepreneurs can transition to the self-employed permit under the point-based system, which requires 95+ points with minimum thresholds across various categories.

But former startup visa holders benefit from a significant advantage over the initially self-employed: they can bypass the points-based system by gaining facilitator endorsement of “satisfactory performance”. 

The difference in acceptance rates is astounding. While their self-employed peers face approval rates between 10% and 15%, startup visa holders can secure near-100% approval via endorsement. 

The Self-Employed Visa

The Self-Employed Visa is a residence permit for non-EU entrepreneurs seeking to practice independent professions in the Netherlands.

It is a renewable visa, granted for two years, with the potential for permanent residency after five. Visa fees have been significantly reduced recently, dropping to €405 in 2025 from the €1,446 fee charged in 2022. 

Points-Based System

This is a difficult residence permit to obtain. Different rules apply to those of the Startup Visa. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), which evaluates applications, does so on a strict points-based system, rejecting up to 90% of all applicants.

The criteria are high: applicants need at least 95 points. As a result, it is far better to apply for a Startup Visa first, then switch visas after one year. 

Key Requirements

The proposed business must serve an “essential Dutch interest”, with a clear economic benefit to the Netherlands. 

Applicants must also be able to support themselves financially during their stay, so expect to provide bank statements showing proof of sufficient income. Your personal expected earnings, by the way, must be at least 70% of the Dutch statutory minimum wage. 

A viable business plan must also be submitted as part of the application. It must be a convincing delineation of your business’s potential for tangible growth, along with a clear market analysis showing product/market fit in the Netherlands. 

Advice for Maximum Impact

Candidates must also show previous entrepreneurial success in their business plan, so make sure to over-document it to attain maximum points. Try to target niche, regional-specific sectors too — for example, in high-growth tech regions like Brainport, where talent is scarce. 

For maximum impact, ensure you have more than one client. Candidates must avoid “false employment flags” like single-client freelancing arrangements, which either suggest illicit activity or financial precariousness. 

Advice: Beware of illegal corporate service providers offering streamlined registration access, which are estimated to comprise nearly half of all CSP entities in the Netherlands. The Dutch authorities are clamping down on this. 

Other Business Visa Options

The DAFT Treaty (US Citizens Only)

American citizens have access to the most streamlined business visa pathway, under the terms of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. It allows US citizens to live and work in the Netherlands via limited company ownership for two years, with options for renewal. It requires no points-based assessment, nor proof of economic benefit. 

Requirements

• US passport
• Company ownership of at least 25%
• €4,500 investment in Dutch company bank account (versus €27,000 for other routes)
• Clean criminal record within Europe
• Sponsor spouse and dependants

IND processes DAFT applications faster than other applications, in approximately four-to-six weeks, with most compliance checks performed randomly post-approval. 

Strategic approaches include pairing DAFT with minimalist LLC structures, maintaining modest invoice values initially, and scaling incrementally.

Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) Permit

The Orientation Year permit allows non-EU graduates from Dutch universities to remain in the Netherlands for one year to search for employment after completing their studies.

Applications must be submitted within three years of graduation. This visa route comes with reduced salary requirements, and the option of internships. 

GVVA (Single Permit)

The combined residence and work permit applies to most forms of paid employment but requires employers to demonstrate that no suitable Dutch or EU candidates are available through labour market testing, making it more stringent than highly skilled pathways.

Short-Stay Business Visas

Schengen Category C visas permit stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period for business meetings, conferences, and short-term contracts under three months. While some nationalities benefit from visa waivers, work permits are generally still required for employment activities, with specific exemptions for certain business meetings.

Obtaining a Residence Permit in the Netherlands

Non-EU nationals planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months generally require a provisional residence permit (MVV – Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf). 

The MVV and subsequent residence permit applications are typically submitted concurrently, with biometric data collection required upon arrival at an IND desk.

Seven-Step Application Process

1. Meet Requirements: Ensure all eligibility criteria for your chosen visa category are met, including salary thresholds, educational qualifications, professional experience, and business venture specifications.

2. Collect Documents: Gather all supporting documentation as specified in application forms, as required by the Dutch government . Foreign documents often require legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French, or German. Essential documents include:

• Valid passport
• Signed employment contract or binding job offer
• Proof of qualifications and work experience
• Health insurance coverage documentation
• Evidence of sufficient financial means
• Criminal record certificate

3. Apply: Application methods vary by visa type and location:

• Employers and recognised sponsors can submit online through the IND Business Portal
• Self-employment and startup visa applicants may apply at Dutch embassies/consulates abroad
• Those legally present in the Netherlands can apply directly within the country

4. Pay Application Fees: Required fees must be paid during submission. Fees are subject to annual IND adjustments.

5. Wait for Decision: Standard processing time is 90 days to wait for news on your residence status, though this may extend for incomplete applications or those requiring additional examination.

6. Decision and MVV Collection: Upon approval, applicants abroad receive an MVV visa sticker for collection at the Dutch representation. The MVV remains valid for 90 days for entry.

7. Collect Residence Permit: Once in the Netherlands, appointment arrangements are made to collect the physical residence document from an IND desk. Then, you will receive a Citizen Service Number for use on the Personal Records Database, where you will pay taxes and conduct other administrative procedures.

MVV Exemptions and Strategic Advantages

Citizens from specific countries can apply directly to the IND without embassy procedures, offering remarkable flexibility:

• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• South Korea

This exemption allows entrepreneurs to apply while physically present in the Netherlands, dramatically reducing processing timelines and enabling real-time business development.

Continuous Compliance: Staying on the Right Side of Dutch Immigration Law

In the Netherlands, getting a visa approved is only the beginning. Continuous compliance is where the real challenge lies.

As political scrutiny around migration intensifies, Dutch authorities are turning up the heat on companies employing foreign talent. Compliance checks are more frequent, sponsor statuses are more easily revoked, and employers are expected to play a far more active role in upholding immigration standards.

Here’s what businesses need to know — and do — to stay compliant in 2025 and beyond.

1. Protect Your Sponsorship Status

Authorised sponsor status isn’t permanent. It comes with ongoing obligations that, if breached, can result in suspension or deregistration.

Employers must:

• Report all changes within 28 days — including salary adjustments, job title changes, resignations, or relocations.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation — such as contracts, payslips, and proof of salary transfers — for each foreign hire.
• Keep records for five years, even after employment ends, in case of retrospective audits.

The IND conducts random and risk-based inspections. Failure to comply can result in serious consequences, including bans on future sponsorship.

2. Stay Within the Salary Boundaries

Salary thresholds in the Netherlands are non-negotiable. They’re a core feature of the system and failure to meet them is one of the most common compliance failures. Employers must ensure:

• Gross salaries are paid monthly, in full and on time.
• In-kind benefits (such as housing or company cars) do not count toward threshold calculations.
• Actual job responsibilities match what was declared in the visa application. Mismatches — even if well-intentioned — raise red flags.

Thresholds change annually. If your employee turns 30 or transitions between visa types, their salary requirement may increase overnight.

3. Conduct Regular Internal Reviews

Dutch immigration compliance is not static. Companies should build quarterly immigration audits into their HR processes. At a minimum, these should check:

• Upcoming visa expiry and renewal deadlines
• Employees meeting updated salary benchmarks
• MVV-holding employees having collected their residence permits
• All relevant changes being reported to IND within 28 days

For scale-ups or fast-moving teams, automating this with immigration management software is often the only viable solution.

4. Get eHerkenning Right

The eHerkenning system is mandatory for all online submissions to the IND. But it’s also a common source of disruption.

• Ensure you have level 3 access or higher
• Update permissions regularly — especially if employees change roles or leave
• Ensure intermediaries (e.g., payroll or law firms) have valid authorisation to act on your behalf

Failure to secure or maintain eHerkenning access can delay visa filings by weeks, which could impact your ability to onboard talent.

5. Prepare for Post-Election Policy Shifts

Even with the collapse of the current Dutch coalition, many of the proposed changes — including salary hikes, shorter inactivity windows, and stricter naturalisation rules — are likely to move forward after the October 2025 election.

Businesses should start preparing now for:

• Fewer tax breaks for foreign workers
• Tighter eligibility criteria across all high-skilled routes
• More frequent inspections of employer conduct

The Netherlands still values foreign talent. But the message is clear: it must be high-value, high-integrity, and high-compliance.

The Bottom Line

The Dutch immigration system is becoming more rigorous — not just at the entry point, but throughout the employment lifecycle. If you’re building a global team in the Netherlands, you need more than just visa approvals. You need full-spectrum compliance baked into your operations.

Centuro Global’s platform helps you do just that. From real-time visa tracking to automated threshold alerts and regulatory updates, our Travel Compliance Assistant ensures you stay ahead of the curve — and off the IND’s radar.

Dutch Immigration Law Hangs in the Balance

The Netherlands finds itself at a crossroads. On one hand, it champions innovation, entrepreneurship, and global talent. On the other, its political climate is shifting, owing to a backlash against spikes in new asylum applications and large inflows of refugees. This public pressure means the whole immigration framework is being increasingly scrutinised and restructured. The result is a system that welcomes high-skilled individuals while drawing sharper lines around who qualifies, and under what terms.

For employers, founders, and professionals, this means immigration to the Netherlands remains possible. But it requires precision, planning, and a clear economic case. The incentives are still there for those who contribute meaningfully to the Dutch economy, particularly in tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. But the margin for error is narrowing.

Centuro Global’s Travel Compliance Assistant offers an intelligent way forward. The platform provides tailored insights on the most relevant visa routes, sponsorship obligations, and regulatory risks, so you can move talent or build your business with clarity and confidence.

Book a demo to explore your options in the Netherlands – and any other country.