Kabinet tightens up highly skilled migrant scheme
The Kabinet (cabinet) aims to further strengthen the knowledge economy while reducing migration to the Netherlands. To this end, it is tightening the kennismigrantenregeling (highly skilled migrant scheme) to better tailor it to the talent needed by organisations in the Netherlands.
This was announced by Minister Van Hijum of Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (Social Affairs and Employment) and Minister for Asiel en Migratie (Asylum and Migration), also on behalf of Minister Karremans of Economische Zaken (Economic Affairs), to the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives).
One proposition from the Kabinet is to increase the salary required to be considered a kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant). This means that the candidate must earn a higher salary in order to come to the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant. The recognition of organisations will also be examined more critically. This recognition is necessary in order to make use of the highly skilled migrant scheme. The aim of these tightening measures is to prevent improper use and abuse of the scheme.
Adjusting the salary criterion
Plans within the Kabinet are to increase the salary criterion for highly skilled migrants. For highly skilled migrants under the age of 30, the Government of the Netherlands is considering raising the salary criterion to 1.1 times the average gross annual salary. This group is currently subject to a minimum gross monthly salary of €4,171.00. With the increase, the salary requirement will rise by at least several hundred pounds per month.
Stricter requirements for companies
In addition, the Government of the Netherlands wants to tighten the requirements for organisations that can apply for a permit for highly skilled migrants. An organisation can apply for a permit for highly skilled migrants if it is an erkend referent (recognised sponsor). The requirements relate to how financially sound and stable a company is and whether the organisation is reliable. For example, an application may be rejected if the organisation has received 3 or more fines in the past 4 years for tax offences, failure to pay the statutory minimum wage and/or the use of illegal labour. The Government of the Netherlands intends to tighten, clarify and strengthen these requirements. For example, by also taking violations of other relevant laws into account when considering the application.
Furthermore, an organisation must lose its recognition as a recognised sponsor if it has not employed a highly skilled migrant for 2 years or longer.
These measures are currently being further developed. In doing so, explicit attention is being paid to the feasibility and the consequences for the business climate and the business community.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl
