Netherlands
The Netherlands is an EU and Schengen member. The main sponsored work route for non-EU professionals is the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) permit, alongside the EU Blue Card.
For information only. Visa rules, processing times, and eligibility criteria change frequently. All information on this page is sourced from official government websites and verified as of the date shown. Always confirm your specific situation with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying. Full disclaimer ↗
Visa & Immigration Guide for the Netherlands
This guide covers all main visa routes for non-EU professionals moving to the Netherlands, including eligibility requirements, processing times, fees, and step-by-step application instructions.
Applying from your home country:
Not a degree holder? You're still welcome.
The Netherlands has dedicated visa routes for trade workers, care workers, seasonal workers, and apprentices — no university degree required. The visa types table below includes Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant), EU Blue Card, Single permit (GVVA), Orientation year, Start-up, Seasonal work, and Family reunification — expand each row for steps and official links.
Visa Types at a Glance
| Visa type | Who it's for | Typical processing | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) | To work in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant, you need a residence permit. Only an employer recognised by the IND can apply for your permit. | ~2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days) | €423 |
| EU Blue Card | With a European Blue Card, you can work in the Netherlands as a highly educated migrant. | ~2 weeks with a recognised sponsor; up to 90 days otherwise | €423 |
| Single permit (GVVA) | If you want to work in paid employment in the Netherlands, you need a single permit | ~7 weeks (legal maximum 90 days) | €423 |
| Orientation year | If you want to look for work in the Netherlands after your graduation, doctorate or research, then you need a residence permit. | ~2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days) | €254 |
| Start-up | This residence permit allows foreign entrepreneurs to start an innovative business in the Netherlands. | up to 90 days | €423 |
| Seasonal work | With a residence permit for seasonal work, you can work in the Netherlands in the agricultural sector for up to 24 weeks. | up to 90 days | €254 |
| Family reunification | You would like your foreign partner to live with you in the Netherlands. Your partner needs a residence permit. | up to 90 days | €254 |
Detailed visa guides
Min. salary
€5,942
Typical processing
~2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days)
Typical fee
€423
Step-by-step process
- 1 your employer (the recognised sponsor) apples for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time
- 2 You have a period of 90 days within which you can pick up the MVV.
- 3 Once you have picked up the MVV, you must travel to the Netherlands with it within 90 days.
- 4 When you arrive in the Netherlands you must have yourself registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at your local town hall
- 5 You must make an appointment for this at the public health service (Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). You must do this within 3 months after you receive the permit.
Min. salary
€5,942
Typical processing
~2 weeks with a recognised sponsor; up to 90 days otherwise
Typical fee
€423
Step-by-step process
- 1 If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- 2 You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- 3 Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- 4 This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
Min. salary
€2,337
Typical processing
~7 weeks (legal maximum 90 days)
Typical fee
€423
Step-by-step process
- 1 If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- 2 You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- 3 Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- 4 This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
Typical processing
~2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days)
Typical fee
€254
Step-by-step process
- 1 You can submit your own application for a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons
- 2 If you have a foreign diploma, this must be evaluated by EP-Nuffic.
- 3 you can submit the applications for the mvv and the residence permit in one go
- 4 Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
Typical processing
up to 90 days
Typical fee
€423
Step-by-step process
- 1 You must work with a facilitator that is recognised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
- 2 You or your authorised representative can apply for the residence permit for startups via the IND.
- 3 This plan is assessed by RVO, who advise IND on your application.
- 4 After this period, you can apply for a residence permit as a self-employed entrepreneur.
Min. salary
€2,337
Typical processing
up to 90 days
Typical fee
€254
Step-by-step process
- 1 If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- 2 You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- 3 Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- 4 This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
Min. salary
€2,337
Typical processing
up to 90 days
Typical fee
€254
Step-by-step process
- 1 He then has 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- 2 Once he has arrived in the Netherlands, he can collect his residence permit within 2 weeks.
- 3 He must go through the civic integration process in the Netherlands.
General document requirements
- ✓ your employer (the recognised sponsor) apples for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time
- ✓ You have a period of 90 days within which you can pick up the MVV.
- ✓ Once you have picked up the MVV, you must travel to the Netherlands with it within 90 days.
- ✓ When you arrive in the Netherlands you must have yourself registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at your local town hall
- ✓ You must make an appointment for this at the public health service (Gemeenschappelijke Gezondheidsdienst or GGD). You must do this within 3 months after you receive the permit.
- ✓ If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- ✓ You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- ✓ Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- ✓ This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
- ✓ If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- ✓ You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- ✓ Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- ✓ This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
- ✓ You can submit your own application for a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons
- ✓ If you have a foreign diploma, this must be evaluated by EP-Nuffic.
- ✓ you can submit the applications for the mvv and the residence permit in one go
- ✓ Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- ✓ You must work with a facilitator that is recognised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
- ✓ You or your authorised representative can apply for the residence permit for startups via the IND.
- ✓ This plan is assessed by RVO, who advise IND on your application.
- ✓ After this period, you can apply for a residence permit as a self-employed entrepreneur.
- ✓ If you have found work, your employer will apply for a residence permit for you.
- ✓ You can then collect the mvv within 3 months from the Dutch embassy or consulate. You then have 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- ✓ Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you can collect your residence permit within two weeks.
- ✓ This test must be carried out within 3 months of the residence permit being issued.
- ✓ He then has 90 days to travel to the Netherlands.
- ✓ Once he has arrived in the Netherlands, he can collect his residence permit within 2 weeks.
- ✓ He must go through the civic integration process in the Netherlands.
Essential Worker & Trade Visas
The Netherlands has a growing demand for skilled tradespeople and essential workers across construction, hospitality, logistics, and agriculture. These visas are available for workers without university degrees.
Single permit (GVVA) for Essential Workers
If you want to work in paid employment in the Netherlands, you need a single permit The employer applies for a TWV labour-market test via UWV before IND can grant the permit.
- Employer applies on your behalf via UWV (labour authority)
- Employer must demonstrate no suitable EU candidate is available
- Salary must meet the sector minimum wage
- Permit is tied to the employer initially
Investor & Entrepreneur Visas
For information only. Investment visa rules, minimum thresholds, and eligibility conditions change frequently and vary significantly by individual circumstances. The information on this page is sourced from official government portals. Always verify current requirements with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before taking any action. Full disclaimer ↗
Start-up
This residence permit allows foreign entrepreneurs to start an innovative business in the Netherlands. The startup residence permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year. Founders who remain viable often switch to a self-employment permit afterward. The Netherlands does not have a passive investment "golden visa" program.
⚠️ Investor visa rules change frequently. The figures above are based on official sources as of 2026. Always verify current requirements directly with the embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer.
📊 Real Migration Numbers
Visa processing time
Based on 8 submissions to the Netherlands
would make the same move again
Based on 8 submissions to the Netherlands
Community surprise
Visa renewal was complicated or stressful
Based on 8 submissions to the Netherlands
Anonymised community data. Minimum 5 submissions per data point.
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