The highly skilled migrant visa (kennismigrantenregeling) is the most popular route for international professionals moving to the Netherlands. It offers fast processing, no labor market test, and access to one of Europe's strongest economies.

This is your complete 2026 guide to the Dutch HSM visa — from eligibility to your first day at work.

The highly skilled migrant (HSM) visa is a residence and work permit for non-EU/EEA nationals who have been offered a job in the Netherlands by an IND recognized sponsor. It is designed to attract international talent to the Dutch economy.

- Fast processing: 2 weeks through a recognized sponsor

- No work permit needed: The HSM visa itself authorizes you to work

- Family reunification: Your partner and children can join you

- Partner work rights: Your partner receives an open work permit — they can work for any employer

- Path to permanent residence: After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency

- 30% ruling eligibility: Potential significant tax advantage

To qualify for the highly skilled migrant visa, you must meet all of the following:

Your employer must be an IND recognized sponsor (erkend referent). There are over 10,000 recognized sponsors in the Netherlands across all industries.

You must earn above the minimum salary threshold, which is updated every January:

| Category | Monthly Gross (excl. holiday allowance) | Annual Gross |

|----------|----------------------------------------|-------------|

| Age 30 and over | €5,331 | €63,972 |

| Under 30 | €3,909 | €46,908 |

| Reduced threshold (orientation year) | €2,801 | €33,612 |

*Holiday allowance (8% of annual salary) is excluded from these calculations. Check ind.nl for the latest figures.*

Your passport must be valid for at least the duration of your intended stay.

You must not pose a threat to public order or national security.

Citizens of certain countries must undergo a tuberculosis test upon arrival.

This is the most important step. Without a job offer from a recognized sponsor, you cannot apply for the HSM visa. Use platforms like ArrowLancer to find employers offering visa sponsorship.

Your employer (the recognized sponsor) submits the residence permit application to the IND. You do not submit this yourself. Required documents typically include:

The IND aims to decide within 2 weeks for applications from recognized sponsors. In practice, this timeline is usually met.

Possible outcomes:

- Approved: Proceed to Step 4

- Request for additional information: The IND may ask for clarifications

- Rejected: Usually due to salary not meeting threshold or incomplete documentation

If you are from a country that requires a regular provisional residence permit (MVV), you will need to collect this from the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

MVV-exempt nationalities include citizens of the EU/EEA, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries. These nationals can travel directly to the Netherlands.

Once in the Netherlands:

1. Collect your residence permit from the IND desk (you will receive an appointment)

2. Register at the municipality (gemeente) to get your BSN (citizen service number)

3. Open a Dutch bank account (you will need your BSN)

4. Get health insurance — mandatory in the Netherlands from day one

The 30% ruling (30%-regeling) allows eligible expats to receive 30% of their salary tax-free. This can save you thousands of euros per year.

- You must apply within 4 months of starting employment

The 30% ruling currently applies for a maximum of 5 years. Note that rules have changed over recent years, so check the latest regulations.

| Step | Typical Duration |

|------|------------------|

| IND decision (recognized sponsor) | 2 weeks |

| MVV issuance at embassy | 1-2 weeks |

| Residence permit collection in NL | 2 weeks after arrival |

| BSN registration | Same day (with appointment) |

| 30% ruling application | 2-4 months |

Total: From job offer to starting work, expect approximately 4-8 weeks depending on your nationality and the embassy processing time.

| Feature | HSM Visa | EU Blue Card | GVVA |

|---------|----------|-------------|------|

| Requires recognized sponsor | Yes | No | No |

| Processing time | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 5-13 weeks |

| Labor market test | No | No | Yes |

| Salary threshold | €3,909-5,331 | €6,245 | Varies |

| Partner work rights | Open permit | Open permit | Restricted |

| Intra-EU mobility | Limited | After 18 months | None |

Yes. If your new employer is also a recognized sponsor and meets the salary threshold, they can apply for a new residence permit for you. There is no gap allowed — ensure the new permit is processed before leaving your current job.

You have a 3-month search period to find a new employer. During this time, your residence permit remains valid. If you do not find a new sponsor within 3 months, your permit may be revoked.

No. The HSM visa is tied to employment with a recognized sponsor. For self-employment, you would need a different permit type.

Yes. Your partner and minor children can join you through family reunification. Your partner receives an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer without restrictions.

Ready to find a visa-sponsored job in the Netherlands? ArrowLancer lists hundreds of positions from IND recognized sponsors. Create your profile, browse opportunities, and take the first step toward your new career in the Netherlands.

Visit arrowlancer.com to get started.