Immigration update: Netherlands | Reduced salary criteria for Highly Skilled Migrants
The rules for graduates have changed – Reduced salary criteria for Highly Skilled Migrants
The Netherlands highly values the contribution of international students and highly skilled migrants. Therefore, in 2016 the Dutch government has implemented a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons, with the goal to attract and retain new talent in the Netherlands. The Dutch government set a time-limit of one year to the validity of this residence permit.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch government has decided to make it easier for the international students in the beginning of their career to find a job in the Netherlands. As of July of this year, the conditions for the reduced salary criteria have been broadened for people who are looking for a job as a highly skilled migrant (after an orientation year for highly educated persons). It is decided to extend the term to make use of the reduced salary criteria for some groups of recent graduates and academic researchers up until three years after graduation, also after a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons has expired. The reduced salary criterion amounts to EUR 2.423 in the year 2020.
In practice this means that graduates who do not find a job within the validity of the residence permit of the orientation year for highly educated persons, they can continue looking for a job with the reduced salary criteria up until three years after graduation. This will facilitate the search for a job as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands.
The reduced salary criterion applies in the following situations:
• The residence permit for employment as a highly skilled worker is applied for during or directly following the orientation year for highly educated persons;
• The graduated highly skilled worker no longer has a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons, but previously had this type of permit. The residence permit for employment as a highly skilled worker is applied for within three years of the graduation date, the date on which the doctorate was awarded, or the date on which the residence permit for scientific research expired;
• The graduated highly skilled worker never had a residence permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons, but does meet the conditions for this residence purpose. For example, because the highly skilled worker has graduated, has a PhD or conducted scientific research. The residence permit for employment as a highly skilled worker is applied for within three years of the graduation date, the date on which the doctorate was awarded, or the date on which the residence permit for scientific research expired;
• The highly skilled worker was previously covered by the reduced salary criterion and subsequently changed employers. Please note that if there is a residence gap, the reduced salary criterion does not apply.
Should you have any questions, please contact:
Brenda Jongman
Senior Immigration Specialist
Brenda.Jongman@santaferelo.com
Claudia de Jager
Senior Immigration Specialist
Claudia.deJager@santaferelo.com
Anique Borchert
Senior Immigration Specialist
Anique.Borchert@santaferelo.com
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