EU Blue Card, aka European Blue Card (Europese Blauwe Kaart in Dutch), is a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa that allows you to reside and work in the Netherlands.
In this blog, you will learn about the EU Blue Card Application and requirements and how to apply for an EU Blue Card.
What is EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a residency card for highly qualified third-country nationals in the European Union. The EU Blue Card Directive is incorporated into Dutch immigration law.
The application for the EU Blue Card can be made by either the company or the employee. To get EU Blue Card, you must fulfil a few conditions or requirements.
EU Blue Card Application Procedure and Requirements
EU Blue Card is a single employment and residency card that is one of the possibilities for highly qualified nationals of non-EU Member States to work and remain in the Netherlands.
Who can apply for EU Blue Card?
A European blue card is a work and residency visa for highly skilled workers (expats) from countries other than the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. Check to see which nations are members of the EU and EEA. The information on this page is applicable in the following situations:
Countries Belong to EU and EEA
- You do not reside in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and you wish to work in the Netherlands and need to apply for a European blue card.
- You already have a European blue card residence permit and live in one of the EU countries participating in the European blue card system. You now wish to work as a European blue card holder in the Netherlands.
- You are a business owner or an Employer. You wish to hire a foreign employee with a European blue card.
Employer: Sponsor or Recognised Sponsor
If you hire a foreign employee, you are the employee’s sponsor. You can become a recognized sponsor as an employer. Recognized sponsors can swiftly apply for residence permits for employees and their family members.
Employers are not required to become an acknowledged sponsor to recruit an employee for a European blue card: being a recognised sponsor is optional.
What are the Conditions European Blue Card?
The European blue card residence permit is also subject to the following conditions:
- In the Netherlands, the employee has a contract for Highly Skilled Migrant. Work that demands a higher academic certification is considered highly qualified.
- The employee’s remuneration is commensurately high.
- The employment contract is for a minimum of 12 months.
- The employee has a higher level of education. The degree program lasted at least three years. The Degree must be necessary for and relevant to the profession or area the application relates.
Is the employee a holder of an international degree? Please allow Nuffic to assess the Degree. - Is the employee a member of a protected profession, such as a doctor or a lawyer? You must demonstrate that they fit the legislative criteria for practising that profession in the Netherlands.
- The employer must not have received a fine in the five years before the application for breaching Article 2 of the Foreign Nationals Employment Act.
Documents Required for an EU Blue Card Application
- A copy of your passport: Pages with personal data, validity period and travel stamps.
- A copy of Employment contract: At least 12 months contract.
- An employer’s declaration.
- For non-recognized sponsors, see the appendix ‘Declaration by sponsor (employment).’ The application form includes this appendix. This declaration must be filled out completely and signed by the employer.
- ‘Antecedents Certificate’ is an appendix. The application form includes this appendix. The researcher must complete and sign the Antecedents Certificate as its whole.
- A copy of the last three months’ Pay slips.
- If the employee studied in the Netherlands: A certified copy of the Degree.
- If the employee studied outside the Netherlands: A copy of the degree certificate and the original degree evaluation from Nuffic.
- If the employee works in a protected profession: Provide documentation that they satisfy the legislative standards for practising that profession in the Netherlands.
Application form for recognised sponsor
Download Form PDF
Note: The information required in the form might change. Please cross-check check Application Form.
Application form for a sponsor
Download Form PDF
Note: The information required in the form might change. Please cross-check check Application Form.
How to submit your written application
- Download and print the form.
- Fill out the form and the appendix or appendices as per your situation.
- Make a copy of all the supporting documents required.
- Send the form, appendix and copy of the documents to the IND via mail. The address is on the application form.
Cost of the EU Blue Card Application
The cost of the application for a European blue card residence permit is € 345.
If you are a recognised sponsor, payment can be made by Direct Debit. Alternatively, the IND sends a letter requesting the amount of the application fees.
1st application and change in the purpose of cost € 345
Extension of an existing Blue Card costs € 345
Holder status long-term resident EU in another EU member state € 207
Overview of the expenses for residence permits
Decision period of your application
The IND has 90 days to decide on your European blue card application. This is referred to as the deciding time. You can raise your concerns to the IND if the decision period extends 90 days.
Keep a track of your application
Income requirement for an EU Blue Card
Salary criteria 2022
| Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older | € 4,840 gross per month |
| Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years | € 3,549 gross per month |
| Reduced salary criterion | € 2,543 gross per month |
| European Blue Card | € 5,670 gross per month |
Reduced salary criterion
The reduced salary criterion applies:
- For highly educated individuals, the residence permit for employment as a highly-skilled worker is applied for during or immediately following the orientation year.
- The highly skilled migrant presently does not have a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated individuals but formerly did.
The residence permit for employment as a highly-skilled worker is applied for within three years following graduation, receipt of the doctorate, or expiration of the residence permit for scientific research. - The highly skilled worker did not have a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated workers but met the requirements for this residential purpose.
What all are included in the salary criterion?
- The reimbursements and allowances are in the contract.
- Each month, reimbursements and allowances are deposited to a bank account in the name of the HSM or European blue card holder.
The salary criteria exclude the following compensation elements:
- Vacation allowance.
- The value of the payment made in kind.
- Non-regular pay elements.