The highly skilled migrant permit (kennismigrant) explained (2026)

The kennismigrant route (highly skilled migrant) is the most common way for a non-EU professional to live and work in the Netherlands. It's fast, employer-driven, and skips the regular work-permit process — but it hinges on two things: a salary that meets the IND (the immigration service) salary threshold and an employer who is a recognised sponsor.

How it works in one sentence

Your employer — who must be a recognised sponsor (erkend referent) registered with the IND — applies for your combined residence-and-work authorisation; if your gross salary meets the kennismigrant salary criterion, the IND can approve it in a fast (often around two-week) procedure.

The two conditions that matter

1. A recognised-sponsor employer. Only employers on the IND's public register of recognised sponsors can bring in a kennismigrant. If your employer isn't recognised yet, they must apply for that status first — you can't use this route with a non-recognised employer.

2. The salary criterion. You must earn at least a set gross monthly salary, excluding the 8% holiday allowance (vakantiegeld). There are three brackets:

   • 30 and older — the standard (highest) threshold.
   • Under 30 — a lower threshold.
   • Reduced criterion — for people who did the orientation year (zoekjaar) after a Dutch or qualifying foreign degree; the lowest threshold.

   These amounts are indexed every year, so always confirm the current 2026 figure on IND.nl. The salary must be a genuine, market-conform monthly payment into a Dutch bank account.

No separate work permit

Because the recognised-sponsor route already authorises your work, you don't need a TWV or GVVA (the regular work permits). Your residence document will state that you may work for your sponsor.

The 30% ruling connection

The kennismigrant salary threshold and the 30% ruling salary norm are different numbers, but they often travel together — many kennismigranten also qualify for the 30% ruling, which has its own (lower) salary norm and is changing in the coming years.

Changing jobs

Your permit is tied to your sponsor. If you lose your job, you generally get a three-month search period to find a new recognised-sponsor employer; the new employer then files a change-of-employer application. Switching jobs is allowed, but the new employer must also be a recognised sponsor and you must keep meeting the salary criterion (moving age bracket can change the number).

Family members

Your partner and children can usually come with you on dependent permits — and crucially, your partner is free to work on the open labour market, with no separate work permit needed.

How it differs from the regular route

If you don't meet the salary criterion, or your employer isn't a recognised sponsor, you fall back to the regular residence-and-work permits (the GVVA / TWV route) covered in residence permits: EU vs non-EU and work authorisation. The kennismigrant route is faster and lighter, which is why employers prefer it for skilled hires.

Quick checklist

• Employer must be a recognised sponsor (erkend referent).
• Meet the salary criterion for your age bracket (indexed yearly — check IND.nl).
• No TWV/GVVA needed; work is authorised via the sponsor.
• Often pairs with the 30% ruling (separate salary norm).
• Lose your job → a three-month window to find a new recognised sponsor.
• Partner can work freely; family can join.

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Verified against IND.nl (2026). Salary thresholds are indexed annually — confirm the current amount on IND.nl. DutchNewcomer provides information, not immigration advice — confirm your situation with the IND or an immigration lawyer.