---
title: "Work in the Netherlands as a Highly Skilled Migrant"
description: "The highly skilled migrant permit for the Netherlands, filed by an IND-recognised employer, with the 2026 monthly salary thresholds."
lang: en
canonical: "https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/"
datePublished: "2026-10-07"
dateModified: "2026-10-07"
sources:
  - "https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/public-register-recognised-sponsors/public-register-work"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-orientation-year"
  - "https://peraturan.go.id/files/uu18-2017bt.pdf"
  - "https://peraturan.go.id/files/permen-p2mi-no-17-tahun-2025.pdf"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements"
  - "https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/profil/lembaga/list_lembaga/p3mi"
---

> Markdown version of https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/. Cite that HTML page and its update date.

# Working in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant: requirements, pay and permit

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by [Kaiser Khan](https://kariraman.com/en/authors/kaiser-khan/) (editor), 8 October 2026 Updated and verified 7 October 2026

Open **Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)**

**Open.** Only IND-recognised employers can apply for this permit; the salary threshold on the application date applies.

Status as of 7 October 2026 [Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements)

## Summary

- Only an IND-recognised employer can apply for a highly skilled migrant residence permit.
- The IND uses three gross monthly thresholds: aged 30 or older, younger than 30, and a reduced criterion for recent graduates.
- Thresholds change every 1 January, and the amount on the application date applies.
- You can look up the employer in the IND public register of recognised sponsors.

**Official routes, who runs them, and their legal basis**

| Route | Run by | Official link | Who pays placement costs | Legal basis |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)<br>Kennismigrant · Highly skilled migrant | Independent PMI (no agency), legal-entity employer | [Official source](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant) | There is no placement agency; the applicant pays the visa fee and other requirements unless the employer covers them. Do not pay a placement fee to any middleman. See the cost rules | [Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)](https://peraturan.go.id/files/uu18-2017bt.pdf) 7 October 2026<br>[Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)](https://peraturan.go.id/files/permen-p2mi-no-17-tahun-2025.pdf) 7 October 2026 |

[See this route in the comparison table](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/compare/#belanda-highly-skilled-migrant)

## What do you need to work in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)?

Placement channels from Indonesia for working in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant): Independent PMI (no agency), legal-entity employer.

- **Placement channels from Indonesia:** Independent PMI (no agency), legal-entity employer An independent migrant worker goes without an agency, only to a legal-entity employer, and must report to the labour office and the Indonesian mission. This is not the same as an individual employer (a household), or an individual who places migrant workers, which is banned.
- **Job types:** Highly skilled work for an IND-recognised employer

## What does working in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) cost, and who pays?

The Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) route to the Netherlands uses no placement agency: you pay the visa fee and other requirements unless the employer covers them, and no middleman is owed a placement fee.

1. Law 18/2017 Article 30(1): Indonesian migrant workers may not be charged placement costs. [Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)](https://peraturan.go.id/files/uu18-2017bt.pdf) 7 October 2026
2. Ministerial Regulation P2MI 17/2025: the employer bears placement costs. A worker may be charged only costs that are written and itemised in the Placement Agreement. [Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)](https://peraturan.go.id/files/permen-p2mi-no-17-tahun-2025.pdf) 7 October 2026
3. **Any request for money outside that document, in cash or to a personal account, is a red flag.**

### Cost rules for this route

- **Permit application:** The highly skilled migrant permit is requested by an IND-recognised employer, not by an agent or individual. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant) 7 October 2026

## What is the minimum pay for working in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)?

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.

**Official floor**

| Area or group | Official floor | Approximate rupiah value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Highly skilled migrant, reduced criterion<br>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<br>per month<br>In force from 1 January 2026 | about IDR 62,464,133<br>rate as of 8 October 2026 |
| Highly skilled migrant, younger than 30<br>Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for highly skilled migrants younger than 30 | EUR 4,357.00<br>per month<br>In force from 1 January 2026 | about IDR 87,173,680<br>rate as of 8 October 2026 |
| EU Blue Card, reduced criterion<br>Applies to: Reduced EU Blue Card criterion for higher-education graduates within three years of graduation or doctorate | EUR 4,754.00<br>per month<br>In force from 1 January 2026 | about IDR 95,116,748<br>rate as of 8 October 2026 |
| EU Blue Card<br>Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for the EU Blue Card in the Netherlands | EUR 5,942.00<br>per month<br>In force from 1 January 2026 | about IDR 118,885,932<br>rate as of 8 October 2026 |
| Highly skilled migrant, aged 30 or older<br>Applies to: Minimum gross monthly salary for highly skilled migrants aged 30 or older | EUR 5,942.00<br>per month<br>In force from 1 January 2026 | about IDR 118,885,932<br>rate as of 8 October 2026 |

[Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) 7 October 2026

## Which visa do you need to work in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)?

**Residence permit highly skilled migrant**: Residence permit for highly skilled migrants, requested by an IND-recognised employer. [Official source](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant)

## What are the steps to work in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)?

1. Get a job offer from an employer listed in the IND public register of sponsors.
2. Make sure the gross monthly salary meets the IND threshold for your category on the application date.
3. The employer applies to the IND for your highly skilled migrant residence permit.
4. Report as an independent migrant worker to the labour office and the Indonesian mission under Law 18/2017 Article 63.

The order and timings are editor estimates, not promises.

## Which schools or training lead to the Netherlands?

The education and training routes linked to working in the Netherlands through Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant): Bachelor's degree (S1) in Indonesia, Scholarships for Indonesians.

- [**Bachelor's degree (S1) in Indonesia: when jobs require one and how to check a university**](https://kariraman.com/en/education/bachelors-degree/)
- [**Scholarships for Indonesians: LPDP, Chevening, Australia Awards, DAAD, MEXT and GKS**](https://kariraman.com/en/education/scholarships/)

## Who applies for the highly skilled migrant permit?

According to the IND, working in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant requires a residence permit, and only an IND-recognised employer can apply for it. So check the company in the IND public register of sponsors before accepting an offer. Graduates of Dutch universities can first use the orientation year permit to look for work.

**Highly skilled migrant route, who runs it and the legal basis**

| Route | Run by | Legal basis in Indonesia |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Highly skilled migrant | An IND-recognised employer applies; the worker reports as an independent migrant worker | Law 18/2017 Article 63 |
| Through an agency in Indonesia | An active P3MI on SISKOP2MI | Law 18/2017 Article 49 |

## What are the warning signs of offers to the Netherlands through this route?

- The company offering the job is not in the IND public register of recognised sponsors. [Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/public-register-recognised-sponsors/public-register-work) 7 October 2026
- The salary offered is below the IND threshold for your age and category on the application date. [Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) 7 October 2026
- The agency in Indonesia is not listed as an active P3MI on SISKOP2MI, or appears on the list of P3MI under administrative sanctions. [KP2MI/BP2MI (SISKOP2MI)](https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/profil/lembaga/list_lembaga/p3mi) 7 October 2026
- You are asked for cash or a transfer to a personal account that is not written and itemised in the Placement Agreement. [Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id)](https://peraturan.go.id/files/permen-p2mi-no-17-tahun-2025.pdf) 7 October 2026

[How to check a P3MI agency in 5 steps](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/check-a-licensed-agency/) [Learn the signs of trafficking through job offers](https://kariraman.com/en/job-scams/human-trafficking/)

- **Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI)** Overseas recruitment, illegal agents and migrant-worker protection [0800-1000](tel:08001000) [+62-21-29244800](tel:+622129244800) [WhatsApp 0811-8080-141](https://wa.me/628118080141) [kp2mi.go.id](https://kp2mi.go.id/)
- **Peduli WNI (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)** Help for Indonesian citizens in trouble or danger abroad [+62-812-9007-0027](tel:+6281290070027) [WhatsApp +62-812-9007-0027](https://wa.me/6281290070027) [peduliwni.kemlu.go.id](https://peduliwni.kemlu.go.id/beranda.html)

**KarirAman is 100% free. We never ask for money. [Our no-fee policy](https://kariraman.com/en/no-fees/)**

Not legal advice. Always check SISKOP2MI before you sign up.

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the 2026 highly skilled migrant salary threshold?**

The IND sets gross monthly thresholds for people aged 30 or older, for those younger than 30, and a reduced one for recent graduates. The figures are in the table on this page and change every 1 January. The threshold on the application date applies.

**When does the reduced salary threshold apply?**

According to the IND, the reduced threshold applies if the permit is requested during or after an orientation year, or within three years of graduation, a doctorate or the end of a research permit.

## Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published 7 October 2026 Updated 7 October 2026

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: 8 October 2026.

## Sources

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

1. [Highly skilled migrant](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant) Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands · accessed 7 October 2026
2. [Public register Work (recognised sponsors, IND)](https://ind.nl/en/public-register-recognised-sponsors/public-register-work) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed 7 October 2026
3. [Residence permit for orientation year (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-orientation-year) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed 7 October 2026
4. [Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia](https://peraturan.go.id/files/uu18-2017bt.pdf) Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 18/2017 · accessed 7 October 2026
5. [Peraturan Menteri P2MI/Kepala BP2MI Nomor 17 Tahun 2025 tentang Biaya Penempatan Pekerja Migran Indonesia](https://peraturan.go.id/files/permen-p2mi-no-17-tahun-2025.pdf) Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · Permen P2MI 17/2025 · accessed 7 October 2026
6. [Required amounts income requirements (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed 7 October 2026
7. [SISKOP2MI: Profil Lembaga P3MI, detail dan daftar sanksi administratif](https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/profil/lembaga/list_lembaga/p3mi) KP2MI/BP2MI (SISKOP2MI) · accessed 7 October 2026

**How to cite**

KarirAman (2026). Working in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant: requirements, pay and permit. Updated 7 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/

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CariTalent and PanduanHewan are Kode Nirlaba projects; Panduan Warga and The Cast Index are independent publications with the same founder. CourseToJob is a study-guide site with the same owner, run by Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd.