Working with knowledge migrants.
Hiring a knowledge migrant can have many different reasons. Perhaps the knowledge you are looking for cannot be found in the Netherlands at all. Maybe you are looking for the missing piece of the puzzle for communication between the Netherlands and foreign customers or branches. Whatever reason you have as a company, it needs to be fixed properly and quickly and we understand that like no other.
Working with KNOWLEDGE MIGRANTS
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Migrant worker, knowledge migrant and expat: what is it difference?
Expat and migrant worker are synonyms for foreign employee. Knowledge migrants form a specific group of labour migrants/expats. A knowledge migrant is a highly skilled immigrant from outside the EU (including Switzerland), who comes to work in the Netherlands because of his specialist knowledge.
The popularity of knowledge migrants is growing explosively, as fewer and fewer highly skilled people are available in the Netherlands for specialised positions. Hiring highly skilled migrants is subject to specific requirements, conditions and salaries. Because knowledge migrants can add a lot of value to the Dutch economy, the knowledge migrant scheme was created. This scheme makes it possible for you as an employer to easily and quickly deploy highly skilled migrants (under certain conditions).
Recognised referent.
Only employers who are recognised sponsors with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) can hire a knowledge migrant. The procedure to become a recognised referent is complex and takes a lot of time, energy and money. PAYSE has been a recognised IND referent for years and helps entrepreneurs employ highly skilled migrants.
They went your for.
Salary criterion Knowledge migrants 2025.
If you hire a knowledge migrant, you will owe him the minimum knowledge migrant salary. For 2025, the minimum knowledge migrant salary is set at:
- Knowledge migrants under 30 years of age: €4,171 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
- Knowledge migrants aged 30 and above: €5,688 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
- Knowledge migrants in their search year: €2,989 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
(These are knowledge migrants who start working in our country within 1 year of completing an accredited course at a Dutch higher education institution).
What is the 30%-regulation.
Foreign employees often incur additional costs, such as housing or travel expenses. To accommodate employees in this regard, employers are allowed to pay 30 per cent of wages as a tax-free allowance in many cases. This is called the 30% scheme. Knowledge migrants are almost always eligible for this.
Highly skilled migrants.
Within the European Union, many employers are looking for specific knowledge that is not readily available at home. For this issue, employing a knowledge migrant can serve as a solution.
A knowledge migrant is a person from outside the EU (excluding Romania and Bulgaria, but including Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) who is brought to the Netherlands by a company to perform labour. As this is a very specific process full of tax and legal pitfalls, expertise is key.
As an Approved Referee with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is PAYSE enable the knowledge migrant to apply digitally and the procedure is expedited. Not only does PAYSE procedure with the IND, we also arrange the administration and employership. This allows you to attract highly qualified employees from abroad and enables you to deploy the required employee quickly, efficiently and hassle-free.
Migrationpathways
PAYSEÂ has a close partnership with Hillbrook Immigration and Meas Law to support and handle migration processes. Our partners support where necessary in the process of obtaining knowledge migrant status. Hillbrook interacts directly with the employee in this process to make the procedure as quick and efficient as possible. With Maes Law, we have a knowledge partner who was at the cradle of the knowledge migrant scheme.
Students keep on in the Netherlands.
Expat students often stay to work in the Netherlands because of its attractive job market, good working environment and open culture. For many expat students, it is a logical step to continue working in the Netherlands after their studies, as they have often already built a network here and feel at home in Dutch society.
Payrolling can play an important role here, as it allows companies to hire and manage staff in a flexible and efficient way. For expat students, this can mean easier access to the Dutch labour market and more chances of finding a job that matches their skills and interests.
Conditions in the short.
Recognised ind-referent.
Without a recognised IND credential, it is impossible to attract a knowledge migrant. So here we have the most important condition right away.
Residence permit.
The second condition is that the knowledge migrant has a residence permit. For the knowledge migrant to be eligible, he must meet all the general conditions plus a number of additional conditions.
Market-based salary.
In addition, knowledge migrants must receive a market-based salary. This is set by the government every year.
Advantages.
As mentioned PAYSE an IND-approved referent and we are also fully versed in the regulations and procedures around attracting knowledge migrants. We fix the whole process from A to Z: for both you as an entrepreneur and the knowledge migrant himself. Consequently, this gives quite a few advantages.
We also take care of everything concerning remuneration and employment contracts. So neither you nor your new specialist will have to worry about this. Moving to another country often brings enough pressure as it is. So leave the figures and rules to us. In addition to pre-employment matters, we will also take care of supervision during your collaboration, from contact with the company doctor to reintegration into the workplace.
In short, an excellent partner to work with.
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Take non-binding contact.
You will have a response from us within one working day. Still prefer direct contact? Call account manager Wouter at 033 303 7720.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knowledge migrant scheme
The Netherlands has a special knowledge migrant scheme. This scheme makes it easier and faster for companies to bring highly skilled knowledge workers to the Netherlands.
Simply put, the knowledge migrant scheme relaxes the entry requirements for knowledge migrants. For example, workers outside the EU normally require a work permit to work in the Netherlands; knowledge migrants usually do not. Knowledge migrants can also benefit from a shortened admission procedure. However, various conditions for the employer and requirements for the highly skilled knowledge migrant do apply.
Not every company can use the skilled migrant scheme just like that. Nor is every non-EU migrant eligible. These are the main conditions:
- The employer is IND reference.
- The knowledge migrant must have an employment contract with a Dutch employer with a contract duration of at least 3 months.
- The employer pays at least the minimum salary applicable to the knowledge migrant.
- The knowledge migrant has a valid passport, has health insurance taken out in the Netherlands and does not pose a threat to national security.
Labour and knowledge migrants can only work in the Netherlands if they have the right work permits. What work residence permits are there and to whom and when do they apply? If you hire a foreign employee, as an employer you apply for a residence permit. This may include a short-stay visa, a TWV, a GVVA or an EU Blue Card. More info: to Knowledge Base page; where these following items are explained:
- Short-stay visa
- MVV
- GVVA
- Permits for knowledge migrants
- EU Blue Card
- TWV
Approved referent
Approved referees have several duties. For example, they must report when:
- The knowledge migrant no longer meets the minimum salary applicable to him
- the employment ended
- the knowledge migrant changes jobs
- the knowledge migrant returns to his country of origin
- the highly skilled migrant moves within the Netherlands
- you have lost track of the knowledge migrant
Approved sponsors can use an accelerated application procedure for a residence permit for knowledge migrants. This means that the IND responds more quickly to the application. Also, fewer supporting documents need to be sent to the IND and there is a fixed contact at the IND.
Disbursement of knowledge migrant
- Knowledge migrants under 30 years of age: €4,171 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
- Knowledge migrants aged 30 and above: €5,688 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
- Knowledge migrants in their search year: €2,989 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday pay).
(These are knowledge migrants who start working in our country within 1 year of completing an accredited course at a Dutch higher education institution). - Â
The payment of a knowledge migrant usually includes several elements. First, this includes the salary or wages earned by the knowledge migrant based on the employment contract and applicable labour laws. It may also include allowances such as housing, transport or expense allowances, depending on the specific scheme and policy of the employer.
If you employ a foreign worker and do not adhere to all the requirements and obligations, the chances are that the worker is working illegally in the Netherlands. The Dutch tax authorities can punish this with high fines. Many companies that do not want to run any financial and legal risks, but do want to be a good employer for the knowledge migrant, choose to pay the employee via Payse
