Effective January 1, 2025, updated fees will apply for residency applications in the Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) adjusts these fees annually to reflect increases in prices and wages. This year, the fees will rise by 6.7%.
The adjustment is based on the index of collective labor agreement (CAO) wages, as calculated by Statistics Netherlands. The updated fees will be available on the Fees: Costs of an Application page from January 1, 2025.
Adjustment of Required Amounts
The required amounts represent the minimum income levels necessary for various residence permits. These amounts are updated twice a year:
- January
- July 1
The adjustments are made under the Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance Act and published in the Government Gazette.
New Required Amounts Effective January 1, 2025
Below are the required amounts applicable from January 1, 2025:
| Visa Type | 2025 gross required amount per month without holiday pay |
| Highly skilled migrants aged 30 and over | € 5688 |
| Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years old | € 4171 |
| Reduced salary criterion Highly skilled migrants | € 2989 |
| European Blue Card | € 5688 |
| Reduced salary criterion European Blue Card | € 4551 |
Required amounts Study Permits
| Education Level | Required amount per month throughout 2025 |
| Secondary vocational education (MBO) | € 898.48 |
| University of applied sciences (HBO) and university | € 1094.12 |
Required amounts under the minimum wage and minimum holiday allowance act as applicable from 1 January 2025 to 1 July 2025:
| Applicant Type | Gross SV wage* without holiday allowance | Gross SV wage with holiday allowance |
| Married couples or cohabiting unmarried couples | € 2191.80 | € 2367.14 |
| Singles or single parents | € 1534.26 | € 1657.00 |
Minimum Wage Increase
Effective January 1, 2025, the government will also increase the hourly minimum wage for employees aged 21 and older:
- The minimum wage will rise from €13.68 to €14.06 per hour (before tax).
- While the hourly minimum wage is standardized for employees aged 21 and older, it varies based on age for employees under 21.
Increase in Residency Application Fees
Furthermore beginning January 1, 2025, residency application fees will increase by 6.7%. This change will affect individuals applying for residency and related permits.
Implications for Highly Skilled Migrants
Highly skilled migrants must meet the applicable income requirements as of the date of their application. Updated income thresholds started on January 1.
Recommendations for Employers
Dutch employers when they hire foreign workers should:
- Review the updated salary requirements for highly skilled migrants.
- Factor in the increased application fees for residency.
- Incorporate these changes into their 2025 business and financial planning.
Reduced Salary Requirements in Exceptional Cases
| Scenario | Details | Application Timeline |
| 1. Transition from Orientation Year | Highly skilled migrant applies for a residence permit during or immediately after holding a permit for an orientation year for highly educated persons. | No specific timeline, as the application is linked to the orientation year permit validity. |
| 2. Application Within 3 Years | The migrant no longer holds an orientation year permit but previously had one. | The application must be submitted within 3 years of: |
| – Graduation date or doctoral defense ceremony. | ||
| – The expiry date of the residence permit for research. | ||
| 3. Eligibility Without Orientation Year | Migrant never held an orientation year permit but meets the eligibility criteria (e.g., graduation, doctoral degree, or research). | The application must be submitted within 3 years of: |
| – Graduation date or doctoral defense ceremony. | ||
| – Expiry date of the residence permit for research. |
Reduced Salary Criterion for the EU Blue Card
The reduced EU Blue Card salary criterion is applicable in the following situations:
| Scenario | Details | Application Timeline |
| 1. New Application After Graduation/Promotion | The applicant has completed a higher education program, and the (recognized) sponsor is applying for the European Blue Card. | The application must be submitted within 3 years of graduation or promotion date. |
| 2. Extension or Employer Change | The applicant extends the residence permit or changes employers. | Extension or change must occur within 3 years after graduation or promotion. |
| 3. Extension Within 24 Months of Initial Permit | The applicant applies for an extension of the residence permit. | Application must be submitted within 24 months after obtaining the first residence permit. |