Netherlands

The Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) residence permit applies to foreign nationals locally hired by or assigned to a recognised sponsor company registered with the Dutch Immigration Authority (IND). The minimum salary threshold depends on the employee’s age and qualifications. An expedited one-stop, post-arrival process is available at Expatcenters in major cities.

The EU Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit is applicable to manager, specialists and trainees assigned to the Netherlands from outside the EEA for over 90 days and up to three years. The procedure is expedited for employers registered with the IND as recognised sponsors. If a transfer qualifies for this process, the employer cannot use the HSM category or the standard ICT work permit.

For transfers that are not covered by the EU ICT permit, employers not registered with IND as recognised sponsors may be able to obtain a Work Permit for intra-company transfers, but this procedure is much slower.

A temporary work permit (TWV) is available for transfers from outside the EEA up to 90 days in a six-month period. A work permit may not be required for non-EEA nationals temporarily assigned from outside the EEA either for business meetings, software implementation in fulfilment of a service contract or training.

For non-EEA nationals temporarily assigned from within the EEA to perform services, a work permit may not be required. A notification must be submitted to the Dutch Labour Authorities and for stays beyond 90 days a residence permit is required.

Registered Dutch companies may be able to bring non-EEA nationals to the Netherlands for up to three years, to perform activities as part of a pre-approved project related to the delivery of goods and services, under the International Commercial Trade Regulations Program. A work permit is not required but a notification should be made to the Dutch Labour Authorities and a residence permit applied for stays of over 90 days A work permit exemption.