Highly-skilled migrant

If you are coming to the Netherlands to work as a highly-skilled migrant, there are several steps you need to take to make sure everything is properly arranged. This step-by-step guide will help you on your way. 

Tip: comprehensive information for highly-skilled migrants is available at welcome-to-nl.nl. This includes information on residence permits for other types of highly-skilled work, such as research, starting a business and finding work after graduating .

Your step-by-step guide 

Phase 1: Before you come to the Netherlands 

If you decide to move to the Netherlands for work, it is important that you make proper preparations. 

1. Find a job  
   Find a job with a dependable employer. Ask if the employer has experience of hiring highly-skilled migrants. Some employers are recognised sponsors. This means they are allowed to apply for permits for highly-skilled migrants. A list of employers that are recognised sponsors can be found on this page on the IND’s website. 

2. Apply for a residence permit  
   Your employer will apply for a permit for you and, if necessary, for your partner or family. In order to do this, however, your employer needs to be a recognised sponsor. 

3. Prepare for the move 
   When you move to a different country, you have to arrange lots of things such as housing, health insurance and your registration in the Netherlands. The Relocation App from Welcome to NL contains practical information and a personal step-by-step guide. 

4. Bring your partner or family 
   Do you want to bring your partner or family with you when you move? The Netherlands offers excellent support for international families. For information about your rights, applicable conditions and available support, visit Welcome to NL .

Phase 2: When you arrive in the Netherlands 

Once you are in the Netherlands, there are several important matters you need to arrange. 

1. Register with the municipality 
   Register with the municipality in which you will live.  You can read more about this on the page on registering. Once you have registered, you will be given a citizen service number (BSN). 

2. Take out health insurance 
   Everyone who lives and works in the Netherlands must take out health insurance within four months. Make sure you take this insurance out as soon as you can. It covers medical costs, such as the cost of a visit to your GP or hospital. 

3. Start your new life 
   Use the Relocation App to check that you have taken care of everything, from opening a bank account to finding housing and registering for childcare. 

Phase 3: While you live and work in the Netherlands 

Your situation might change while you are living here. For example, you might find a new job, have a new partner or start a family. 

1. Report changes 
   Your residence status might be affected if you have a new job or there is a change in your family situation. For information about what you need to do if something changes, visit Welcome to NL. 

Phase 4: If you leave the Netherlands 

Have you decided to move back to your home country or move to another country? 

1. Tell your municipality that you are leaving 
   Tell the municipality where you are registered that you are leaving. This ensures the government knows you no longer live in the Netherlands.  

2. Cancel your health insurance 
   You must stop your health insurance if you do not live or work in the Netherlands any more. 

3. Check your tax situation and allowances 
   Check if you are still getting any allowances. Report changes to Belastingdienst in time so that you do not have to pay money back. 

4. Deregister your children from schools and childcare facilities 
   If your family will be leaving with you, tell your children's school and/or childcare facility that you are moving. They can then deregister your children. 

5. Pension and rights you have built up 
   You will keep the pension you have built up in the Netherlands. Contact your pension fund for information about what will happen to your money. You will also keep your right to AOW. 

Top tip 

If you want to be sure you have not forgotten anything, download the Welcome to NL Relocation App. It will guide you through the steps you need to take when you are preparing to move to the Netherlands, on your arrival and while you are living in the Netherlands.