Who Can Use This Program and What Documents Are Required?

12.09.2025

• Required Documents
• Residence Permit Process and Timeline
• Costs
• Special Features
• Benefits
• Contact our lawyer for more details

Main Requirements:

1. The candidate must be a Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant).
   Unlike Canada or Australia, the Netherlands does not have a fixed list of eligible professions. Any profession may qualify, provided other criteria are met. Work experience in the chosen field and alignment between the position and the candidate’s education/experience are also assessed.
2. The candidate must sign a contract with a payroll company while residing outside the Netherlands.
3. The salary stated in the contract must meet the minimum threshold for the relevant category:
   • 30 years and older — €5,688/month (excluding bonuses, holiday allowance, etc.)
   • Under 30 years — €4,171/month
   • Graduates of Dutch universities — €2,989/month

The payroll company must also meet certain criteria:

• Be a recognised sponsor;
• Be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK);
• Be financially stable;
• Comply with industry standards and responsibilities.

Required Documents

• Copy of international passport (data and signature pages);
• Employment contract and job description;
• CV;
• Dutch BSN (citizen service number), if available, and/or proof of registration/residence;
• Additional: Power of Attorney (POA) if documents are submitted by a partner.

Residence Permit Process and Timeline

All documents are submitted by the payroll company.

• The payroll company submits the application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Processing time is approximately 2–4 weeks, assuming a complete application.
• If applying for a GVVA (Combined Permit – residence and work permit), the process may take up to 90 days.
• The residence permit card is collected at the municipality where the individual is registered.

Costs

In the most expensive scenario (for those over 30), the total monthly cost may reach €6,100, calculated as follows: €10,000 (payroll company fee) – €5,688 (gross salary) × 0.7 (after 30% tax ruling).

Over 5–7 years, the total cost of obtaining permanent residency or Dutch citizenship may range from €360,000 to €510,000 (for those over 30).

This scheme is fully legal and has been successfully used in practice.

Special Features

You may be eligible for the 30% ruling — a tax exemption for expats, allowing 30% of your income to be tax-free. To qualify, the candidate must:

• Be hired from abroad (resided more than 150 km from the Dutch border for at least 16 of the last 24 months);
• Be a highly skilled worker earning above the required salary thresholds.

The application for the 30% ruling must be submitted within 4 months of starting work. Processing time: 8–12 weeks.

After 5 years, you may apply for permanent residency or naturalization. In some cases, the process may take up to 7 years, depending on the time spent in the Netherlands and the processing duration.

Benefits

• Legal residence and work permit in the Netherlands;
• A reliable path to permanent residency or EU citizenship;
• No formal restrictions on eligible professions;
• All paperwork handled by the payroll company;
• All costs (except personal taxes) are covered by the employer;
• Employment under Dutch labor law, with full rights;
• Possibility to extend the permit and transition to PR or citizenship after 5 years;
• Family reunification is possible, with work rights for family members.

Authors: Aleksei Molchanov, Yaroslavna Zadesenskaya

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