Question 1

Can I hire someone in the Netherlands without opening a Dutch company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Jackson & Frank acts as the legal employer in the Netherlands. You don't need a Dutch legal entity (BV) or any local presence. We issue the employment contract, run payroll, and manage immigration compliance under our own entity. Your candidate is legally employed from day one.

Question 2

Can an Employer of Record sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa in the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if the Employer of Record holds approved immigration sponsor status (IND Recognised Sponsor). Not all EOR providers do. Jackson & Frank does. Without this status, an EOR cannot submit a fast-track Skilled Worker Visa application. This is worth confirming with any provider before you commit.

Question 3

Do I need to become an approved immigration sponsor myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Approved sponsor status (Erkend Referent) is held by Jackson & Frank. Your hire's visa application is submitted through us. You bypass a 12 to 24 month process and thousands in government fees. We already have the status. Your hire benefits from it immediately.

Question 4

Can I hire a non-EU candidate who is already living in the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and the process is often faster. If your candidate already holds a valid Dutch residence permit, from a previous employer, an orientation year visa (Zoekjaar), or a partner's permit, the route to starting work is typically shorter. We assess their current status during the eligibility check.

Question 5

What is the difference between the Skilled Worker Visa and the EU Blue Card in the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Both allow non-EU professionals to work in the Netherlands. The Skilled Worker Visa (Kennismigrant) is generally faster, has a lower salary threshold, and requires fewer documents. The EU Blue Card requires a recognised university degree and has a higher salary threshold, but gives broader EU mobility rights after 18 months. For most companies hiring specialist talent, the Skilled Worker Visa is the more practical route. We'll advise which applies once we've reviewed the role and candidate profile.

Question 6

What are the salary requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa in the Netherlands in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 gross monthly salary thresholds are: €5,942/month for employees aged 30 and over; €4,357/month for employees under 30; and €3,122/month for recent graduates (reduced criterion). Figures exclude the 8% Dutch holiday allowance (vakantiegeld) and are updated each January. We confirm the applicable threshold during the eligibility assessment.

Question 7

What nationalities need an Entry Visa (MVV) before coming to the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Nationals from most non-EU countries need an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf), a preliminary entry visa, before travelling to the Netherlands. Common exceptions include the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the UK. We confirm MVV requirement at the eligibility check stage and manage the full application.

Question 8

How long does the Skilled Worker Visa (Kennismigrant) take in the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

As an approved sponsor we submit directly to the IND. Standard processing is approximately two weeks from submission. If your candidate requires an MVV, allow an additional 3 to 8 weeks for the embassy process. We give you a realistic timeline once we know your candidate's nationality. We don't overpromise.

Question 9

What happens to the visa if our hire changes roles or salary?

Accepted Answer

Any change to employment terms (role title, salary, or working hours) must be reported to the IND within four weeks. Jackson & Frank manages this reporting. You notify us of the change; we handle the submission. You don't interact with the IND directly at any point.

Question 10

What does Jackson & Frank handle versus what we handle?

Accepted Answer

Jackson & Frank handles: employment contract and legal employer status; Skilled Worker Visa application and IND submissions; Dutch payroll and statutory employer obligations; 30% ruling administration (if applicable); and ongoing IND compliance reporting and visa renewals. You handle: day-to-day work direction and performance management; and role and project decisions.

Question 11

Can you handle the 30% ruling for our hire?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 30% ruling (30%-regeling) allows qualifying international employees to receive up to 30% of gross salary tax-free as compensation for relocation costs. If your hire qualifies, we administer the ruling through payroll and handle the joint application to the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst). We assess eligibility during onboarding and flag it proactively. It's often a material factor in offer negotiations.

Question 12

What is the Dutch Immigration Authority (IND)?

Accepted Answer

The IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) is the Dutch government body that processes all residence and work permit applications in the Netherlands. Approved sponsors like Jackson & Frank have direct access to the IND's Business Portal, allowing us to submit applications and receive decisions significantly faster than companies without this status.

Question 13

What is an approved immigration sponsor (Erkend Referent)?

Accepted Answer

An approved immigration sponsor (Erkend Referent) is a company vetted and authorised by the IND to submit visa applications on behalf of non-EU employees. The IND assesses the company's legal structure, financial standing, and compliance history. Only approved sponsors access the fast-track process that reduces processing to approximately two weeks. Obtaining this status independently takes 12 to 24 months and €2,000 to €5,000 in government fees.

Hire non-EU talent in the Netherlands.

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Hire, employ, and pay non-EU talent in the Netherlands.

Grow your team without a local entity.

Compliant from day one

Fast-track sponsorship

Zero local bureaucracy

International relocation support: included

Manage your global workforce from one place.

Accurate Dutch payroll

Global benefit delivery

Continuous local compliance

All-in-one HR admin

Here is how we get your hire working in the Netherlands.

Tell us about your hire.

We submit the visa application.

Your hire begins work.

Most companies who come to us have already ruled out opening a Dutch entity.

Human contact with direct answers.

100% compliant from day one.

We handle the roadblocks.

See why companies trust us to hire across borders.

A trusted partner for international hiring

Robin Zijsling

Efficient and workable HR solutions

Xin Shi LLM

Practical, client-driven approach

Paul Halprin

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