Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant Visa 2026: Salary & Process

The Netherlands is a magnet for skilled professionals — especially in tech — and its main work route, the Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) visa (kennismigrant), is famously fast because it skips the labour market test. Here's the honest 2026 guide.

What is the HSM visa?

The HSM visa lets a recognised Dutch employer (sponsor) hire a non-EU professional without proving that no Dutch person could do the job. That makes it remarkably quick compared to standard work permits. The catch: it's salary-based. If your offer meets the threshold, you generally qualify.

2026 salary thresholds (the hard floor)

These gross monthly salaries apply from 1 January 2026 (excluding the 8% holiday allowance):

• Age 30 and older: €5,942/month
• Under age 30: €4,357/month
• Reduced rate (recent graduates / after the orientation year): €3,122/month

The Search Year (orientation year) option

If you graduated from a top-ranked university (in the top 200 of recognised rankings), you may qualify for the Dutch Search Year visa (zoekjaar) — a one-year residence permit to look for a job as a highly skilled migrant. You don't need a work permit during the search year, but you must support yourself. You must apply within three years of graduating.

A note on skills vs degree

How the process works

1. Get a job offer from a recognised IND sponsor (the employer must be registered with the IND).
2. The employer applies for your HSM permit — no labour market test needed.
3. Because the test is skipped, processing is fast.
4. Enter the Netherlands and collect your residence permit.

Honest advice

The HSM visa is one of Europe's most efficient work routes — if you can land a job that pays the threshold with a recognised sponsor. Focus on high-demand skills (tech especially), build a strong CV and LinkedIn, and target companies already registered as IND sponsors.