---
title: "Working in the Netherlands from Indonesia: Legal Routes"
description: "Indonesians can work in the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants or with an EU Blue Card from an IND-recognised sponsor. 2026 salary thresholds."
lang: en
canonical: "https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/"
datePublished: "2026-10-07"
dateModified: "2026-10-08"
sources:
  - "https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/highly-skilled-migrant"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/public-register-recognised-sponsors/public-register-work"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/single-permit-gvva"
  - "https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-orientation-year"
  - "https://peraturan.go.id/files/uu18-2017bt.pdf"
  - "https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/profil/lembaga/list_lembaga/p3mi"
---

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

# Working in the Netherlands through legal routes

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

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.

## Which legal work routes exist for the Netherlands?

- **Routes we cover:** 1
- **Routes marked Open:** 1
- **Status last checked:** 7 October 2026

**Summary of legal work routes to the Netherlands**

| Route | Status | Age | Language tests | Who pays placement costs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/) | Open<br>Status as of 7 October 2026 | Not stated | Not stated | The applicant, no agency |

[Compare with other routes to work abroad](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/compare/#belanda-highly-skilled-migrant)

- [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](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/)

## 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)**

| Route | Who it is for | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Highly skilled migrant | Skilled workers paid above the IND threshold | Only IND-recognised employers can apply |
| EU Blue Card | Higher-education graduates | Its own IND salary threshold |
| Orientation year | Graduates, PhDs or researchers looking for work | Lower highly skilled migrant threshold afterwards |
| Single permit (GVVA) | Other paid employment | Combines 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<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

## 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](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/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.

- **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)
- **Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI)** Overseas recruitment, illegal agents and migrant-worker protection [+62-21-29244800](tel:+622129244800) [WhatsApp 0811-8080-141](https://wa.me/628118080141) [kp2mi.go.id](https://kp2mi.go.id/)

## Which official channels can you contact?

- **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/)
- **Licensed agency (P3MI) list on SISKOP2MI** Check a licensed migrant-worker placement agency and its status [siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id](https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/profil/lembaga/list_lembaga/p3mi)
- **Official overseas job orders on SISKOP2MI** Official job orders for migrant workers [siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id](https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id/lowongan/list)
- **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)

## 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 7 October 2026 Updated 8 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. [Required amounts income requirements (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed 7 October 2026
3. [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
4. [Single Permit: GVVA (IND)](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/single-permit-gvva) Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) · accessed 7 October 2026
5. [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
6. [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
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 through legal routes. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/

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## Related guides

- [**Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)**](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/)
- [**Germany**](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/germany/)
- [**How to check a licensed overseas recruitment agency (P3MI) on SISKOP2MI**](https://kariraman.com/en/work-abroad/check-a-licensed-agency/)
- [**Human trafficking (TPPO) through job offers**](https://kariraman.com/en/job-scams/human-trafficking/)
- [**Job checker: is this job offer a scam?**](https://kariraman.com/en/check-a-job/)

- [Panduan Warga passport guide](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/indonesian-passport-m-paspor/)
- [Panduan Warga guide to visas abroad for Indonesians](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/visas-abroad-for-indonesians/)
- [studying in the Netherlands: graduate data and official links (CourseToJob)](https://coursetojob.com/countries/netherlands/)

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.

**Change log**

- 8 October 2026 : 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.