Moving to Netherlands
5 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
A job offer
EU Blue Card (Netherlands)
Europese blauwe kaart
Degree holders with a Dutch job of at least 6 months paying EUR 5,942 gross a month; useful where the employer is not a recognised sponsor or for EU mobility.
- What you need
- Gross monthly salary of at least EUR 5,942 in 2026. (EUR 5,942 a month)
- Reduced criterion EUR 4,754 gross monthly (recent graduates / shortage cases). (EUR 4,754 a month)
- Higher-education qualification (or qualifying IT experience) and an employment contract of at least 6 months.
- Not for
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Employer or employee applies to the IND; US citizens are MVV-exempt.
- How long it takes
- Not stated on pages fetched; statutory maximum 90 days.
- First permit
- Contract length plus 3 months, up to 5 years.
- Renewal
- Extension fee EUR 423.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children can join and work. Family fee EUR 254 each.
A job offer
Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)
Verblijfsvergunning kennismigrant
Professionals with a job offer from an IND-recognised sponsor employer paying the 2026 salary minimum.
- What you need
- Gross monthly salary of at least EUR 5,942 (age 30 or over) in 2026. (EUR 5,942 a month)
- EUR 4,357 gross monthly if under 30. (EUR 4,357 a month)
- Reduced criterion EUR 3,122 gross monthly for recent graduates (Dutch or top-ranked universities) and orientation-year holders. (EUR 3,122 a month)
- Employer must be an IND recognised sponsor.
- Not for
- Employers who are not recognised sponsors
- Self-employment
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. The employer files with the IND. US citizens are MVV-exempt and can collect the permit after arrival.
- How long it takes
- Not stated on the pages fetched; recognised-sponsor applications are commonly decided within weeks (secondary).
- First permit
- Contract length, up to 5 years.
- Renewal
- Extension fee EUR 423; salary must stay above the threshold.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children can join; partners may work. Family fee EUR 254 each.
Study
Netherlands student permit
Verblijfsvergunning studie
People admitted to a Dutch university (WO) or university of applied sciences (HBO).
- What you need
- Sufficient means of EUR 1,130.77 per month for university/HBO study in 2026. (EUR 1,130.77 a month)
- Admission to a programme at a recognised sponsor institution, which files the application.
- Not for
- Full-time work (student work hours are capped)
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. The institution applies on your behalf; US citizens are MVV-exempt.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated in sources fetched.
- First permit
- Programme length plus preparatory year, if any.
- Renewal
- Extension fee EUR 254.
- Family
- Family reunification possible with sufficient means; fee EUR 254 each.
Treaties and special cases
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) self-employed permit
Verblijfsvergunning zelfstandige ondernemer – Nederlands-Amerikaans Vriendschapsverdrag (DAFT)
US citizens who will run their own business or freelance practice in the Netherlands with at least EUR 4,500 invested in it. US-only (Japanese citizens have a parallel treaty).
- What you need
- Invest at least EUR 4,500 in your Dutch business (for most business forms), kept in the business; register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). First-time applicants must register and invest within 6 months of the decision. (EUR 4,500 a lump_sum)
- US nationality, and one of: trade between the Netherlands and the US; or leading a Dutch business as an investor, independent professional (not for government or healthcare) or key employee of a US business.
- Not for
- Non-US citizens
- Being employed by someone else
- Independent professionals working for the Dutch government or in healthcare
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. US citizens do not need an MVV entry visa in practice and can apply after arriving; the IND page mentions applying by post within 3 months of arrival. Confirm with the IND. Exempt from the points-based test used for other self-employed permits.
- How long it takes
- IND decision period for self-employed permits is 90 days (extendable). Since April 2024 the IND uses a lighter first-application method for DAFT (secondary).
- First permit
- Maximum 2 years.
- Renewal
- Extensions require annual accounts plus a balance sheet or income statement showing the business is active and the capital remains invested.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Spouse/partner and children under 18 can join; per Fragomen, family of DAFT holders have no separate income requirement and receive work rights.
Treaties and special cases
Orientation year (zoekjaar)
Verblijfsvergunning zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden
Recent graduates of Dutch institutions or of top-200 ranked universities worldwide who want a year to find work in the Netherlands.
- What you need
- Bachelor's, master's or PhD from a Dutch institution, or a master's/PhD from a university in the top 200 of recognised world rankings, obtained within the last 3 years.
- Not for
- Graduates of universities outside the qualifying rankings
- People who already used an orientation year for the same degree level
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Apply to the IND; US citizens are MVV-exempt.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated in sources fetched.
- First permit
- 12 months, not renewable.
- Renewal
- Not renewable; switch to highly skilled migrant at the reduced salary criterion (EUR 3,122/month in 2026) or another permit.
- Family
- Family members can apply to join; family permit fee EUR 254.