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Working in the Netherlands through legal routes

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

Indonesians can work in the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants or with an EU Blue Card from an IND-recognised sponsor. 2026 salary thresholds.

Summary

  • The Netherlands has several legal work routes: highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, the orientation year permit for graduates, and the single permit (GVVA).
  • The IND sets gross monthly salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants and the EU Blue Card; they change every 1 January.
  • If an agency in Indonesia is involved, it must be an active P3MI on SISKOP2MI; individuals are banned from placing migrant workers (Law 18/2017 Article 69).
  • For other paid work, the Netherlands uses a single permit (GVVA) that combines the residence and work permits.
  • Under Law 18/2017 Article 30(1), Indonesian migrant workers may not be charged placement costs.
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On this page
  1. Which legal work routes exist for the Netherlands?
  2. Which route fits you?
  3. What are the highly skilled migrant and Blue Card salary thresholds?
  4. Where are the highly skilled migrant requirements explained?
  5. Where can Indonesians in the Netherlands get help?

Which route fits you?

The clearest work routes for university graduates are the highly skilled migrant permit and the EU Blue Card, both with IND salary thresholds. As of 7 October 2026, the IND also offers an orientation year permit for graduates looking for work, and a single permit (GVVA) for other paid employment.

Legal work routes in the Netherlands (as of 7 October 2026)
RouteWho it is forNote
Highly skilled migrantSkilled workers paid above the IND thresholdOnly IND-recognised employers can apply
EU Blue CardHigher-education graduatesIts own IND salary threshold
Orientation yearGraduates, PhDs or researchers looking for workLower highly skilled migrant threshold afterwards
Single permit (GVVA)Other paid employmentCombines residence and work permits

What are the highly skilled migrant and Blue Card salary thresholds?

The IND sets gross monthly thresholds that differ by age and category, and the amount on the application date applies. The figures below are for 2026. They are permit conditions, not offered wages.

IND gross monthly salary thresholds, 2026
Area or group Official floor Approximate rupiah value
Highly skilled migrant, reduced criterion Applies to: Reduced salary criterion for highly skilled migrants during or after an orientation year, or within three years of graduation, doctorate or research EUR 3,122.00 per month In force from about IDR 62,464,133 rate as of 8 October 2026
Highly skilled migrant, younger than 30 Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for highly skilled migrants younger than 30 EUR 4,357.00 per month In force from about IDR 87,173,680 rate as of 8 October 2026
EU Blue Card, reduced criterion Applies to: Reduced EU Blue Card criterion for higher-education graduates within three years of graduation or doctorate EUR 4,754.00 per month In force from about IDR 95,116,748 rate as of 8 October 2026
EU Blue Card Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for the EU Blue Card in the Netherlands EUR 5,942.00 per month In force from about IDR 118,885,932 rate as of 8 October 2026
Highly skilled migrant, aged 30 or older Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for highly skilled migrants aged 30 or older EUR 5,942.00 per month In force from about IDR 118,885,932 rate as of 8 October 2026

Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)

Where are the highly skilled migrant requirements explained?

Requirements, how to check an employer in the IND register and the permit steps are on the page on working in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant. If an agency in Indonesia is involved, make sure it is an active P3MI on SISKOP2MI, and do not pay anything that is not written and itemised in the Placement Agreement.

Where can Indonesians in the Netherlands get help?

For help as an Indonesian citizen abroad, including when the work or pay does not match the contract, contact Kemlu through Peduli WNI or KP2MI through the official channels below.

Which official channels can you contact?

Frequently asked questions

Are there Dutch factory or greenhouse jobs for Indonesians through agencies?

Be careful. Highly skilled migrant permits can only be requested by IND-recognised employers, and other paid work uses a single permit (GVVA). If an agency in Indonesia is involved, it must be an active P3MI on SISKOP2MI. Individuals may not place migrant workers (Law 18/2017 Article 69).

Can graduates of Dutch universities stay to look for work?

Yes, with the IND orientation year residence permit for looking for work after graduation, a doctorate or research. If you then work as a highly skilled migrant, the lower salary threshold may apply.

Which visa do you need to work in the Netherlands?

The legal routes to the Netherlands use these visas or permits: Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant): Residence permit highly skilled migrant. Apply only through the destination government's official website or its mission.

What is the minimum wage for working in the Netherlands?

The official pay floor for the Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) route in the Netherlands is EUR 3,122.00 per month, in force from 1 January 2026 (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)). This is the legal minimum in the Netherlands, not an offered wage.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Highly skilled migrant Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands · accessed
  2. Required amounts income requirements (IND) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed
  3. Public register Work (recognised sponsors, IND) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed
  4. Single Permit: GVVA (IND) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed
  5. Residence permit for orientation year (IND) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed
  6. Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 18/2017 · accessed
  7. SISKOP2MI: Profil Lembaga P3MI, detail dan daftar sanksi administratif KP2MI/BP2MI (SISKOP2MI) · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Working in the Netherlands through legal routes. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/

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Change log
  • : This page is now the country overview: routes, IND salary thresholds and help channels. Highly skilled migrant requirements and steps are on the route page.