Immigration FAQ

Intra-Company Transferee (Transferred by a company outside of EU to a branch in the NL to work as a manager , specialist or trainee) and Highly Skilled Migrant (the most common type for Aires clients. This permit combines Work and Residence Permit)

Highly Skilled Migrant (please note the information below if concerning Highly Skilled Migrant)

For Highly Skilled Migrant approx. 3 months prior arrival and 3 days to complete in the Netherlands.

Depends on how long it takes for the employee and employer to collect the required documents. Please note legalized and translated documents may be required such as marriage certificate or birth certificate. IND (Dutch Immigration Agency) requires documents in Dutch, English German or French.

Some nationalities require entry visa (MVV) to enter to the Netherlands. When the intention is to live and work in NL as Highly Skilled Migrant, MVV will be applied together with the residence permit. Biometrics are required at the application appointment at the Dutch consulate in the country of origin. MVV is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. The employee must travel to NL within that time.

If MVV is not needed, only residence permit will be applied for and the employee can travel to NL without 90 days limit.

IND has to solve the application within 90 days but they do thrive to solve the cases in two weeks.

The employee will get an invite to collect the residence permit card once it is ready. Should be ready within 2 weeks after positive decision.

Work and residence permits are generally issued for max 5 years. Of course the duration of stay depends also on the duration of the assignment. In other words, the permit is valid until the end of assignment and max 5 years.

When an employee arrives with MVV she/he can start work immediately. If your residence document is not ready when you arrive in the Netherlands, you can apply for a residence endorsement residence endorsement. This residence endorsement will then state whether you are allowed to work and under what conditions. Aires immigration partner will schedule the appointment so the employee can start working asap after arrival.

Additionally, some nationalities need to take tuberculosis test within 3 weeks after arrival to NL. Aires immigration partner can make an appointment for this.

No. Please note there is a salary criterium which is adjusted annually.

No as the Dutch process for Highly Skilled Migrant permit is relatively fast.

The main requirement: employee needs to have a valid Dutch residence permit (main residence in NL) for at least 5 consecutive years. The employee has passed civic integration test or is exempt from it.

Yes, please see above 😊

MVV needs to be applied in the country of origin, or country of continuous residence

Yes. The employee needs to be registered as a sponsor at IND in order to benefit from Highly Skilled Migrant procedure

For Highly Skilled Migrant application the main documents are POA, employment contract, confirmation letter, assignment letter and direct debit deposit form.

If an employer is not yet a registered at IND as a sponsor, they must do that application prior hiring employees as Highly Skilled Migrants. Processing time of this application is 90 days max.

3 months prior expiry

Yes, employee can live in NL with spouse, partner and (underage) children. Their residence permits depend on the residence permit of the employee. Partner / spouse can work legally in NL. The immigration process can be done at the same time as the immigration process for the employee.

No problem

Yes, please see above

Yes, IND needs to be informed when employee leaves the country or changes the employer. Normally the new employer in NL will inform IND.  Also if dependents leave the country, IND needs to be informed. The residence permit cards needs to be returned.

Salary criteria, make sure there is enough time to do the translations and legalizations if required.