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Holland welcomes Highly Skilled Knowledge Migrants
Since October 2004 Dutch
employers are permitted to hire non-EU nationals without work permits if the following
requirements are met:
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The employer has enrolled in the IND Highly Skilled
Migrant Program; and
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The job pays a salary that meets or
exceeds the minimum annual gross salary requirements which are based on
the age of the employee. For 2009, the minimum annual salary
requirement is €49,087 for employees 30
years of age or older, and €35,997
for employees younger than 30
years of age. For persons who have obtained a diploma in the
Netherlands, the minimum annual salary requirement is €25,800.
The income criterion does not apply if the employee
enters the employment of an educational or research institute as a PhD
student, nor does it apply to post-docs and university teachers under
30 years of age.
Once a job contract has been signed,
the sponsoring employer can request a residence permit for the highly skilled
knowledge migrant, assuming there are no other problems with the
applicant's individual situation. The regular rules regarding issuance of
a residence permit still apply, such as having a valid passport, no
criminal record, and health insurance.
The residence permit of a highly skilled knowledge migrant is granted for the length
of the employment contract, up to a maximum of five years, assuming the
migrant's passport is valid for the duration.
Partners of highly skilled knowledge migrants are allowed to work
without needing a work permit, although they will still need a
residence permit, which will be granted for a period of one year.
The residence permit of the children will have the same term as the
residence permit of the highly skilled migrant.
USA citizens and other applicants who don't require an
entry visa (MVV) to enter the Netherlands may not start work as a highly
skilled knowledge migrant
until the residence permit application is approved. Foreigners who
require an MVV to enter the Netherlands can start work immediately upon
registration here with the IND because their eligibility for a residence permit was determined
during the MVV process in their home country.
We can help employers get IND
approval to sponsor knowledge migrants and take care of all immigration
matters for their employees. We can help knowledge migrants renew
their permits, change
jobs, and bring their partners and children to the Netherlands.
Please
contact us if you would like more information regarding the highly
skilled migrant program and how it may apply to your individual situation.
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