The highly skilled migrant route

The highly skilled migrant permit is an employer-led residence route. The employer must be recognised by the IND as a sponsor and normally submits the application. A job title alone does not establish eligibility; the sponsor and employment agreement need to meet the IND conditions.

Ask the employer to confirm that it will use the highly skilled migrant route rather than another work permit. This matters because application steps, permitted work and conditions for family members can differ between routes.

The IND publishes salary criteria and other conditions for this permit. These can change, and different criteria can apply to different applicants. Check the current figures on the IND page and ask the employer which criterion it is using for your offer.

Confirm the proposed start date, the documents you need to send, and whether you must complete an MVV step before travel. Keep copies of the employment agreement and the sponsor’s application communication so you can compare them with the eventual decision.

A residence permit connected to an employer may be affected when employment ends or you change sponsors. Before resigning or accepting a new job, check the IND rules on reporting changes and the conditions for a new employer.

If a partner or child will move with you, use the IND family guidance for their own residence application. Their documents and timing should be planned alongside yours rather than assumed to follow automatically from your job offer.