What is the HSM Visa?
The HSM visa, formally the Highly Skilled Migrant permit (Kennismigrant), is a combined Dutch residence and work permit that allows non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals to work in the Netherlands for a recognised sponsor. It is issued by the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) and is the primary route used by Dutch employers to attract skilled international talent in technology, engineering, finance, science, and senior commercial functions.
The HSM route is a salary-based scheme rather than a points-based or labour-market-test scheme. Employers sponsoring HSM talent must hold recognised sponsor status, and the employment contract must meet the applicable gross salary threshold. Octagon's Employer of Record services include HSM sponsorship for client companies that do not hold their own IND recognition.
How does the HSM Visa work?
The recognised sponsor files an HSM application with the IND, submitting the employment contract, proof of the salary threshold, and identity documentation for the applicant. The IND assesses the file against the sponsorship and salary conditions and issues a decision. Where the applicant is outside the Netherlands, a provisional residence authorisation (MVV) is issued first, enabling entry. The biometric residence permit is collected from an IND desk after arrival.
Decisions from recognised sponsors are typically issued within 7 to 10 working days, with a statutory maximum of 90 days. Once the permit is active, the employee begins work on Dutch payroll and is often combined with the 30% ruling for qualifying individuals. For detailed timeline planning, see the HSM visa guide and EOR onboarding timeline.
Who does the HSM Visa apply to?
The HSM visa applies to non-EU nationals hired by a Dutch recognised sponsor into a skilled role that meets the statutory salary threshold. The most common applicants are software engineers, data scientists, senior consultants, research scientists, senior finance and legal professionals, and technical project leads. Recent graduates of Dutch universities and top-ranked foreign institutions benefit from a reduced threshold during the three years following graduation, which makes the scheme accessible to early-career technical hires.
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals do not need an HSM permit because they hold free movement rights. For global transfers within multinational groups, the Intra-Corporate Transfer permit may be a more appropriate route.
When does the HSM Visa not apply?
The HSM visa does not apply where the sponsoring employer is not registered in the IND public register, where the salary falls below the applicable 2026 threshold, or where the role is not considered skilled work by the IND. It also does not apply to self-employed professionals, who should consider the self-employment residence permit instead, nor to short-term assignments under 90 days, which fall under the Schengen business visa framework.
Where an employee transfers temporarily from a non-EU parent company to a Dutch group entity, the Intra-Corporate Transfer permit under EU Directive 2014/66/EU is the appropriate instrument. For contractor and payroll-only arrangements, the broader employment structures under the Wet VBAR framework apply instead.