1. Residence in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a strict immigration policy, but residence permits are available if you wish to live and work in the country, bring your partner, work as an employee or self-employed, or if you qualify as a highly skilled migrant. To obtain a residence permit, you must meet specific criteria, such as holding a valid passport, having sufficient financial support, and fulfilling the requirements specific to your purpose of stay.
Our office has extensive experience in securing the right residence permit for you and/or your partner. We can handle all the necessary steps while you’re still in your home country, including assessing your eligibility for a Dutch residence permit. If required, we can liaise with local Dutch embassies, manage registrations such as for civic integration (“inburgering”), and take care of other formalities.
Once in the Netherlands, our office can assist with all your registrations, including with the Dutch immigration services and the municipality where you will reside. We can also help you apply for a tax/social security number and assist in opening a Dutch bank account. Additionally, we can support you in renewing your permit, applying for permanent residence, or even obtaining Dutch citizenship.
2. Work Permits for Foreign Employees
Work permits are generally required for hiring individuals from outside the EU for employment or temporary assignments in the Netherlands. However, work permits are not necessary for some temporary positions or for highly skilled migrants (see below). A key condition for obtaining a work permit is proving that no suitable candidates are available within the EU.
Our office has significant experience in obtaining work permits for professionals (consultants, accountants, etc.), labor migrants, and their relatives. We can manage the entire process with the Dutch immigration services, including applications, or assist you where needed. Once in the Netherlands, we can handle all registrations with the Dutch immigration services and the municipality where the employee will stay. Additionally, we can assist with applying for a tax/social security number and help in opening a Dutch bank account.
3. Highly Skilled Migrants
Highly skilled international employees (“knowledge migrants”) can obtain Dutch work permits without needing to prove that no suitable candidates are available within the EU. To qualify as a highly skilled migrant in 2024, employees aged 30 or older must have a gross annual salary of at least €63,972, and those under 30 must earn at least €46,908. Dutch university graduates and other highly educated migrants need an annual salary of at least €33,612.
Employers wishing to bring in highly skilled migrants must be registered with the Dutch immigration service as a sponsor, as well as with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and the Dutch tax authorities. Our office can manage all these registrations for the employer and handle the immigration services applications for the employee. Once in the Netherlands, we can take care of registrations with the municipality and the Dutch immigration services, as well as assist with opening a bank account and obtaining health insurance. We also offer assistance with renewing residence permits as needed.
4. Search Year Visa for Highly Educated Migrants
If you are highly educated, you may qualify for a temporary Dutch residence permit, allowing you to stay in the Netherlands for one year to seek employment as a highly skilled migrant or to start an innovative company. This visa is available to those who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands or completed a PhD at a recognized Dutch educational institution. The visa is also available to graduates from a top 200 university, based on international rankings such as the Times Higher Education Supplement, the QS World University Rankings and the Jiao Tong Shanghai University rankings, provided they completed their studies within the last three years.
Additional requirements include having sufficient financial resources and achieving a minimum score of 35 out of 40 points on a specific evaluation, with points awarded as follows:
– Master’s degree: 25 points
– PhD: 30 points
– Age 21-40: 5 points
– An extra 5 points for proficiency in Dutch or English, previous residence in the Netherlands for work or study, or holding a qualification from a country that is a party to the Bologna Declaration.
Once the temporary permit is granted, applicants can seek employment in the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants. If the criteria are met, the temporary residence permit can be converted into a permit for highly skilled migrants.
If you successfully establish an innovative company during this orientation year, you can apply to have your temporary residence permit converted into a residence permit for self-employment, provided you meet the necessary requirements.
5. Residence Permits for Self-Employed/Entrepreneurs
Foreign nationals (non-EU/EEA/USA/Japan) can obtain a Dutch residence permit if they start a business, establish a branch of a foreign company, or invest in an existing business in the Netherlands. A work permit is not required, but applicants must be self-sufficient. Additionally, they must score at least 90 out of 300 points on a specific assessment, with a minimum of 30 out of 100 points required in each of the following categories:
- Personal experience: Education level, entrepreneurial experience and success, previous income, and experience working in or with the Netherlands.
- Business plan: Market analysis, organizational structure, and financial planning.
- Added value to the Netherlands: Innovation, job creation, and investment volume.
Even if the points test is not passed, a residence permit may still be granted if the entrepreneur creates a significant number of jobs. Graduates with at least a Master’s degree can start an innovative company in the Netherlands by scoring 45 points in the first two categories. Art professionals must demonstrate cultural benefits. Family members of entrepreneurs earning at least the minimum wage can also obtain residence permits.
USA and Japan
American and Japanese entrepreneurs/investors are eligible for a residence permit without needing to comply with the points system, thanks to treaties between the US and Japan with the Netherlands. Conditions include a minimum investment of €4,500 and registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Almost any type of business or self-employment qualifies, except for practicing law or medicine.
6. Start-up Business
Introduced in 2015, this program offers a temporary residence permit for one year to those starting an innovative business in the Netherlands. The start-up must be supported by an experienced facilitator in the Netherlands, who will help guide the business into a mature enterprise.
As one of the world’s most competitive economies, the Netherlands offers a strong business climate and high quality of life. The country boasts one of the fastest and most reliable digital infrastructures and ranks highly in international education, healthcare, and recreation.
General Conditions
The startup entrepreneur must hold a valid passport, pose no threat to public order or national security, and obtain health insurance. A tuberculosis (TB) test is also required within three months of receiving the residence permit, unless exempt based on nationality.
Specific Conditions
A. Collaboration with a Reliable Facilitator
To qualify for the residence permit, the start-up entrepreneur must work with a qualified facilitator who provides a tailored support package based on the entrepreneur’s needs. This may include assistance with operational management, marketing, research, and seeking investors for the innovative company.
Requirements for the facilitator include:
- Proven experience in guiding start-ups.
- Financial stability.
- No history of receivership, bankruptcy, or negative equity.
- No majority ownership in the new business.
- No familial relation to the start-up entrepreneur (up to three degrees of separation: child, parent, grandparent, uncle/aunt).
We can help find a suitable facilitator for your needs.
B. Innovation of the Product or Service
A product or service is considered innovative if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- It is new to the Netherlands.
- It involves new technology for production, distribution, or marketing.
- It introduces a novel organizational or process approach.
Indicators of innovation may include:
- Newness to the Dutch market.
- Utilization of new technology.
- An original organizational structure or process.
- Alignment with top sector policies.
- Social responsibility.
- Innovative energy conservation methods.
- Creative cross-sector adaptations or combinations.
- New product/market combinations.
- Unique or innovative market approaches.
- Contributions to social innovation.
C. Development Plan
The start-up entrepreneur must present a detailed plan outlining how the idea will evolve into a business. This plan should include:
- Organization: An active role for the entrepreneur, including:
- Organizational structure
- Roles and responsibilities
- Legal form
- Personnel
- Business objectives
- Innovation Description: An explanation of why the product or service is innovative.
- First-Year Activities: A step-by-step plan detailing the setup process and initial business activities.
D. Commercial Register Entry
Both the start-up entrepreneur and the facilitator must be registered in the Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Register. The registration should reflect the entrepreneur’s involvement in decision-making for the start-up. The facilitator must also have a Chamber of Commerce number. A Chamber of Commerce number is sufficient; an extract from the register is not required. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency will verify the registration.
E. Financial Resources
The start-up entrepreneur must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support living and business activities in the Netherlands. Reliance on public funds, such as welfare benefits, is not permitted. Proof of financial resources can be provided in one of the following ways:
- A bank statement showing sufficient funds, meeting the minimum amount required for a single person under the Minimum Wage Act.
- Financial support from another legal entity, such as the facilitator, covering the entire residence period (up to 1 year).
7. Wealthy Immigrant Residence Permits
Wealthy foreign individuals can obtain a Dutch residence permit by investing at least €1,250,000 in the Dutch economy. Investments in a venture fund recognized by the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs or affiliated with the Dutch Association of Investment Funds also qualify. This “millionaire’s permit” is designed to stimulate the Dutch economy and is issued for five years.
Those who meet the financial asset requirements do not need a specific purpose for stay, such as employment or study. There are no Dutch language requirements, and no civic integration test is needed. Additionally, wealthy immigrants are allowed to work or run a business without any of the restrictions or requirements mentioned earlier.
