2 routes into Netherlands.
Work visa
Netherlands
Run by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Professionals with a job offer from an employer recognised by the IND as a sponsor, at the required salary.
- Job offer
- Required, from an IND recognised sponsor. Gross monthly salary in 2026: EUR 5,942 if aged 30 or over, EUR 4,357 if under 30, EUR 3,122 under the reduced criterion (for example recent graduates). The salary must also match the market rate.
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- Not stated on the official page
- Work experience
- Not stated on the official page
- Government fee
- EUR 423
- Processing time
- The IND must decide within 90 days.
- Money you must show
- Not required beyond the salary requirement.
- When and to whom you pay
- The employer applies to the IND and pays the fee with the application.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on ind.nl on 2026-10-18: "Only an employer recognised by the IND can apply for your permit"; "The application costs € 423,00"; "The IND must take a decision within 90 days." Income page: 30 or over "€ 5,942", younger than 30 "€ 4,357", reduced salary criterion "€ 3,122". Another official page. Another official page.
Job seeker visa
Netherlands
Run by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Only for recent graduates of a Dutch university, an Erasmus Mundus master's, or a master's or doctorate from a foreign university listed in the first 200 places of at least 2 of 3 global rankings (Times Higher Education, QS, ShanghaiRanking). Most African university degrees do not qualify unless the university meets that ranking rule.
- Job offer
- Not required. You may work freely in the Netherlands during the year.
- Language
- For foreign graduates, English such as IELTS 6.0, or a programme taught in English or Dutch.
- Education
- Within 3 years before applying: an accredited Dutch bachelor's or master's, research in the Netherlands, an Erasmus Mundus master's, or a master's, doctoral or post-master's programme at a designated foreign university.
- Work experience
- Not required.
- Government fee
- EUR 254
- Processing time
- The IND must decide within 90 days.
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- When you apply to the IND.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on ind.nl on 2026-10-18: "in the top 200 of the general rankings or the rankings by subject of at least 2 of the 3 publishers"; "valid for 1 year"; "You may work freely in the Netherlands"; "The application costs € 254,00". Another official page.