IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service, Netherlands)

The IND says it decides on all applications by people who would like to live in the Netherlands. Its work covers asylum, economy (work and study), family and naturalisation. It is not the health regulator: your right to practise comes from BIG registration, run by the CIBG, and the IND checks that you have it where the job requires it.

Most non-EU doctors and nurses come as a highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant). The IND's rules:

• Only a recognised sponsor can apply. Your employer must be recognised by the IND and listed in its public register.
• Salary. For 2026 the gross monthly minimum, excluding holiday allowance, is €5,942 if you are 30 or older, €4,357 under 30, and €3,122 under the reduced criterion, and pay must be in line with the market rate.
• BIG registration. Doctors in training must be in the BIG-register, and other protected professions need BIG registration to work.

1. Your employer applies online or by post for the provisional residence permit (MVV) and residence permit together, and pays by direct debit.
2. Foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
3. The IND must decide within 90 days; shorter periods can apply.
4. After approval, book an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate within three months to collect the MVV sticker. The MVV is valid for 90 days and your passport must be valid for six more months.
5. After arrival, collect your residence document at an IND desk by appointment, and register with your municipality to get a BSN.

After a positive decision you may start work as stated in the decision letter, but you must book your biometrics or collection appointment within two weeks of your employer receiving the decision.

The IND charges €423 for a first application or extension for a highly skilled migrant or EU Blue Card, €254 for a partner or other family member and €85 for a child under 18. Fees change each year on 1 January. The permit lasts as long as your contract, up to five years. If you lose your job you have three months to find another, or six months if you have held the permit for at least two years and became unemployed on or after 22 May 2026. You can apply for permanent residence after five years.

• Employer not recognised. Check the public register before you sign.
• Missing the TB test. If your employer says one is needed, book it with the GGD within three months of receiving your permit.
• Starting before BIG registration. The permit lets you live and work for the sponsor; it does not register you as a doctor or nurse.

See the Netherlands page and the BIG-register profile.