Routes that fit Indian profiles
Highly Skilled Migrant (recognised sponsor)
The primary IT, engineering, finance and life-science corridor: a listed sponsor offers a contract at or above the age-banded threshold, files with IND, and the hire collects the MVV where required. Family reunification runs alongside, not after.
GVVA combined permit
For roles below HSM bands or outside sponsor coverage: one procedure covering work and residence with UWV advice where the rules require it. Expect longer timelines and closer contract scrutiny.
EU Blue Card (Dutch issuance)
An alternative for degree-holders meeting the higher Blue Card salary and recognition bars, with intra-EU mobility advantages. Compare all three against your offer before committing to a track.
India-specific: documents and Mission jurisdiction
- Education and experience: degree transcripts, syllabus proof where recognition applies, and reference letters on company letterhead with verifiable contacts. IT specialists should keep portfolio and salary-slip evidence ready for threshold audits.
- Police clearance: Passport Seva / PSK-issued clearance per the current Mission checklist, obtain early.
- Jurisdiction: file under the Dutch Mission and acceptance centre serving your Indian state of residence (New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru catchments). MVV collection post, photo specs and legalisation demands differ by post.
- Warning: beware “HSM without sponsor” or “guaranteed 30% ruling” pitches, HSM requires a listed sponsor and the ruling requires a separate tax decision.
FAQs
What is the Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) route?
An employer-led route where an IND-recognised sponsor hires a non-EU professional meeting the statutory salary threshold (lower for recent graduates). No labour-market test applies, and decisions are typically fast, but thresholds update yearly, so confirm the current figures on IND pages.
What is the GVVA combined permit?
The Single Permit combining residence and work authorisation (tewerkstellingsvergunning + verblijfsvergunning) for roles outside the HSM salary bands, with UWV labour-market input where required. Processing runs longer than HSM filings.
Where do applicants in India file, and what is the MVV?
Many Indian hires enter through the recognised-sponsor fast track with an MVV (provisional residence authorisation) collected at the Dutch Mission India post serving their state (e.g. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru catchments) before travelling. Jurisdiction and checklist rules change, follow the mission pages.
What is the 30% ruling and does everyone get it?
A tax facility letting qualifying inbound employees receive part of salary tax-free, subject to salary minima, scarcity criteria and a private ruling decision. It is never automatic, confirm current conditions with a tax adviser, not a recruiter promise.
Do you guarantee sponsorship, salary or approval?
No. We provide eligibility assessment and application support. Employment depends on recognised-sponsor selection; permit and visa decisions are made by the Dutch authorities.
Official sources: IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) · UWV · Dutch Missions in India · Belastingdienst (30% ruling). Author: editorial desk · Reviewer: senior work-permit counsellor.