News item | 04-07-2025 | 15:15
The government wants to further strengthen the knowledge economy and at the same time reduce migration to the Netherlands. That is why the cabinet is sharpening the knowledge migrant scheme, so that it is more tailored to the talent that Dutch business needs. This is what Minister Van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment and Minister for Asylum and Migration writes, also on behalf of Minister Karremans of Economic Affairs to the Lower House.
The cabinet wants the salary necessary to be seen as a knowledge migrant. This means that someone has to earn a higher salary in order to be able to come to the Netherlands as a skilled migrant. The recognition of companies is also being looked at more critically. This recognition is needed to be able to use the knowledge migrant scheme. The purpose of these tightening is to prevent improper use and abuse of the scheme.
Adjust the wage criterion
The government is planning to increase the wage criterion for skilled migrants. For knowledge migrants of under the age of thirty, the government considers raising the wage criterion to 1.1 times the average gross annual salary. A gross monthly salary of at least € 4,171.00 now applies to this group. With the increase, the salary requirement increases by at least hundreds of euros per month.
Stricter requirements for companies
In addition, the Cabinet wants to increase the requirements for companies that can apply for a permit for knowledge migrants. A company can apply for a permit for knowledge migrants if it is a ‘recognized sponsor’. The requirements are about how financially healthy and stable a company is and whether the company is reliable. For example, an application can be rejected if 3 or more fines have been given for tax offenses in the past 4 years, not paying the statutory minimum wage and/or for the use of illegal work. The government intends to weigh, clarify and tighten these requirements. For example, by also having the violation of other relevant laws taken into account in the application.
In addition, a company must lose its recognition as a sponsor if it has not employed the migrant for two years or more.
These measures are currently being further elaborated. Hereby there is explicit attention for the feasibility and the consequences for the business climate and business.