Ever heard the term kennismigrant? It literally means “knowledge migrant,” and it’s the official Dutch “importing brains” program.
It’s the most popular and straightforward path for non-EU professionals to get a residence permit for work. Why? Because the Dutch market needs top talent, and this program cuts through the usual red tape.
The Two Golden Rules
Forget complex point systems. To qualify as a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM), you only need two things:
- A “Recognised Sponsor” Your employer must be on the IND’s (Immigration Service’s) list of “recognised sponsors” (
erkend referent). This is a big deal. It means the IND trusts the company, and your application gets put in the fast lane. - The Right Salary This is the main requirement. The government’s logic is simple: if a company is willing to pay you this much, you must be “highly skilled.” The required salary (gross, per month, excluding holiday pay) is indexed annually.
The Official 2025 Salary Thresholds
This is the key part. The following are the official, non-negotiable gross monthly salary requirements for 2025 (excluding the 8% holiday allowance).
- Standard (30+ years): €5,688 If you are 30 years old or older, this is your magic number.
- European Blue Card: €5,688 The Netherlands has aligned the Blue Card salary requirement with the HSM 30+ level.
But Wait, There Are Cheaper Ways!
The government really wants to attract and retain talent, so there are two key exceptions with much lower salary requirements:
- The “Under 30” Discount: €4,171 If you are younger than 30, the required salary drops significantly.
- The “Recent Graduate” Deal: €2,989 This is the best deal. If you graduated from a top-tier university and are applying during or after an “Orientation Year” (
zoekjaar) permit, the salary requirement is dramatically lower.
The Perks of Being an HSM (Why It’s So Good)
So, why is this program so popular?
- Unbelievable Speed: Because your sponsor is “trusted,” the IND aims to process complete applications in just 2 weeks.
- No Diploma? No Problem! Unlike the Blue Card, the HSM visa doesn’t require a university degree. Your high salary is considered proof of your skills.
- Bring Your Family: Your partner and children can easily get a dependent visa to join you.
- Your Partner Can Work! This is a huge perk. Your partner’s dependent visa gives them full, free access to the Dutch labor market. They can take any job, start a business, or freelance without needing their own sponsor.
- No Dutch Required (At First): You don’t need to pass a language or integration exam to get your initial 5-year permit. You will need it later if you decide to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Interested? Chat with the team at Expatrix.nl. They know the Kennismigrant programs inside-out and can guide you through it.