IND news: increase in immigration application fees for 2026
From 1 January 2026, the costs of immigration applications in the Netherlands will increase, including those for erkend referenten (recognised sponsors) and applications for verblijfsvergunningen kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant residence permits).
- The standard fee for an application for recognition as a sponsor will increase from €4,866 to €5,080.
- The reduced fee for an application for recognition as a sponsor as a small business with no more than 50 persons will increase from €2,432 to €2,539.
- The fee for an application for a highly skilled migrant residence permit or European Blue Card residence permit is currently €405 and will be €423 from next year.
- Application for study or scientific research residence permit increases from €243 to €254.
View all new fee amounts in the Staatscourant (Government Gazette).
New salary standards
The salary requirements for highly skilled migrants will also change on 1 January 2026. The new salary requirements are not yet known, but will be published in the Staatscourant from December this year. The standard amounts change every year on 1 January 2026. From that date, they can also be found on the IND website.
Administrative obligations for recognised sponsors expanded
From 1 January 2026, recognised sponsors will have to include additional information in their records regarding their employees. This concerns documents that prove that highly skilled migrants or European Blue Card holders have actually received their salary. Examples include statements from the company's business bank account or an overview of a batch payment. These documents must show that the employee has received the salary in a payment account in the employee's name.
At present, only payslips are required. However, payslips do not prove that the salary has been paid to the employee.
Read more information about the obligations of sponsors and recognised sponsors in the Netherlands.
