Permit Rulebook

Researcher (Directive (EU) 2016/801)

The rules, quoted and dated:

A contract or hosting agreement with a Dutch research institution the immigration service (IND) recognises as a sponsor. Up to five years. Every number on this page is the authority's own sentence, with the page it came from and the day we read it. This page is for people who need a permit to work in the Netherlands. This page describes the rules; it does not decide on you.

PR

What this route asks for

€1,635.90/month — sufficient income (Jul–Dec 2026)

Read from the authority's own page on , with the sentence it came from below.

Where do you stand on this route? The questions are answered on this device only — nothing is sent anywhere. You get each rule against what you declared, the gap if there is one, and which single change would open more routes.

Check yours — Netherlands, Researcher (Directive (EU) 2016/801)
What the checker asks, and what it does not

Every number below is quoted from an official page, and a daily check re-reads every source. On this route — quoted and dated · scored — 4 conditions this interview did not ask. Every rule that decides this route is a question you answer; two conditions the authority states — a research institute on the recognised-sponsor register, and a degree giving access to a doctoral programme — are listed with the rules below and never asked, and the grant or own funds that can stand in for a salary are not asked about either. The provisional residence permit this application needs is listed with the rules below too, and your passport decides both whether the Dutch immigration service exempts you from it and whether the recognised-sponsor condition applies to the institute at all.

A non-EU passport

Who this is for

Citizens of the EU, of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and of Switzerland, can live and work in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands under free movement — the routes on this site are for other passports. Check registration rules after arrival (e.g. Anmeldung in Germany).

As an EU national you generally don't need a work permit to work anywhere in the EU. · europa.eu · TFEU (the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) art. 45 (free movement of workers) — Your Europe · · English, from europa.eu. Official page ↗

A research hosting agreement

Condition

This route asks for a research hosting agreement.

You have an employment contract or a host agreement with your employer · ind.nl · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗

Monthly salary

Threshold · 2026

This route asks for at least €1,635.90/month — the monthly salary for the job you would do.

  • €1,635.90/monththis route — sufficient income (Jul–Dec 2026)
  • €3,122/month2 other routes here
  • €4,357/month2 other routes here
  • €4,754/monthEU Blue Card — another route here
  • €5,942/month3 other routes here
These amounts are valid from 1 July 2026 up to and including 31 December 2026. Gross SV salary per month without holiday allowance € 1,635.90 · ind.nl · sufficient income (Jul–Dec 2026) · Researcher (Directive (EU) 2016/801) — required amounts valid 1 July – 31 December 2026 · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
Also required — not checked here
  • The research institute must be a sponsor the Dutch immigration service (IND) recognises, listed in the public register of recognised sponsors
    This research institute (hereinafter referred to as: employer) is a recognised sponsor. You can check the public register of recognised sponsors whether your employer has been recognised as a sponsor. · ind.nl · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
    Who this does not bind The research institute does not have to be a recognised sponsor — for employees with Turkish nationality the Dutch immigration service does not require one, and you can submit the application yourself.
    Have you found work as a highly skilled migrant? Or work as a researcher under Directive (EU) 2016/801? Normally, only recognised sponsors can apply for these residence permits. For employees with Turkish nationality, a recognised sponsor is not required. You can also submit the application yourself. · ind.nl · Dutch immigration service, Turkish citizens and living in the Netherlands — Obligatory recognised sponsor not required · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
  • A higher education degree that gives access to a doctoral programme, or your employer’s declaration that you have the appropriate level
    You have a higher education degree. This degree gives you access to the doctoral programme. Your employer determines whether your degree is suitable. Do you not have a suitable degree? Then your employer must declare that you have the appropriate level. · ind.nl · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
  • This application needs a provisional residence permit (MVV).
    A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application · ind.nl · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
    Who this does not bind You do not need a provisional residence permit (MVV) — the Dutch immigration service names your passport among the nationalities that need none.
    You do not need an MVV if you have the nationality of one of these countries. Australia Canada Japan Monaco New Zealand Vatican City United Kingdom United States South Korea Switzerland An EU/EEA Member State · ind.nl · Dutch immigration service, MVV exemptions — Your nationality is decisive · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗
The official page also says
  • If your Dutch employer pays you no salary, a grant, a stipend, money from a sponsor or enough money in your own account can meet this instead.
    Will you not receive a salary from your Dutch employer? Then you must have other income, for example a grant, stipend or money from a sponsor. Or you have sufficient money in your bank account for the time you are in the Netherlands. · ind.nl · · English, from ind.nl. Official page ↗