On or after January 1, 2017, non-European Economic Area nationals applying for work and/or residence authorisation in the Netherlands will be subject to higher minimum salary levels.
Knowledge Migrant Salary Threshold
Highly-skilled Knowledge Migrants will be subject to new minimum gross monthly salary requirements as follows (excluding holiday pay):
Applicants over 30: EUR 4,324 (approximately USD 4,515), up from EUR 4,240;
Applicants under 30: EUR 3,170 (approximately USD 3,310), up from EUR 3,108; and
Applicants who already possess or fulfil the requirements of an Orientation Year permit: EUR 2,272 (approximately USD 2,373), up from EUR 2,228.
EU ICT Permit Salary Threshold
Although the new EU ICT Permit, implemented November 29, 2016, has no strict salary threshold, salaries under this Permit must be similar to Dutch nationals in the same position, which the Dutch government considers to be the following amounts:
Applicants over 30: EUR 4,324 (approximately USD 4,515), up from EUR 4,240; and
Applicants under 30: EUR 3,170 (approximately USD 3,310), up from EUR 3,108.
EU Blue Card Salary Threshold
EU Blue Card holders will be subject to a minimum gross monthly salary requirement of EUR 5,066 (approximately USD 5,291), up from EUR 4,968 (excluding holiday pay).
Short-Term Work Permit Salary Threshold
The new minimum gross monthly salary requirements for Short-Term Work Permit applications (those staying for 90 days or less) are as follows:
EUR 4,669.92 (approximately USD 4,877), up from EUR 4,579.20; and
For Short-Term Knowledge Migrants assigned to an accredited sponsor and under the age of 30, EUR 3,423.60 (approximately USD 3,575), up from EUR 3,356.64.
Increased Government Filing Fees
On or after January 1 2017, Dutch Immigration Authorities’ government filing fees will increase by 1.8%.
Also, the fees for Knowledge Migrants will increase, and the fees for becoming a recognised sponsor will decrease for small businesses. Key examples of new fees include:
Knowledge Migrant applications: EUR 926;
EU ICT Permit/Blue Card applications: EUR 897;
Registration as an accredited sponsor: EUR: 5,276; and
Registration as an accredited sponsor for small companies: EUR 2,638.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers should ensure they comply with the new salary requirements for initial and renewal applications filed on or after January 1, 2017.
Internal policies for Dutch work and residence authorisation applications are subject to change with little or no advance notice. Therefore, employers applying for Dutch residence and/or work authorization should contact their immigration professional to review the new salary requirements, current application requirements and related processing times prior to filing an application.
