Kenya → Netherlands: the Highly Skilled Migrant roadmap
The Highly Skilled Migrant permit (kennismigrant) is the Netherlands main work and career route. A Dutch employer that is an IND recognised sponsor offers a job meeting a set gross monthly salary threshold and applies for the permit on the worker behalf. For 2026 the thresholds are EUR 5942 a month at age 30 and over, EUR 4357 under 30, and a reduced EUR 3122 for recent graduates and orientation-year switchers, excluding the 8 percent holiday allowance. Permanent residence and citizenship are each reached after 5 years of continuous legal residence, though a 2025 government proposal to extend naturalisation from 5 to 10 years was pending and not yet law, so the citizenship timeline carries some uncertainty.
Moving from Kenya
- You apply for the Highly Skilled Migrant at the Netherlands consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Kenya, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Kenya usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward Netherlands's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Kenya documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Kenya passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Kenya to Netherlands applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by Netherlands.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Have a job offer or employment contract with an employer that is an IND recognised sponsor
- Earn at least the applicable 2026 gross monthly salary threshold of EUR 5942 at age 30 plus, EUR 4357 under 30, or EUR 3122 reduced for graduates, excluding 8 percent holiday allowance
- Salary must be market-conform, in line with rates for the position
- Reduced threshold only for those who graduated or finished an orientation year within the relevant period and meet the specific conditions
- Regulated professions such as healthcare need the required registration, for example BIG registration for medical staff
- No formal points test or settlement-funds requirement; eligibility is salary and sponsor driven
Your step-by-step roadmap
Secure a sponsoring employer
- Find and accept a job in the Netherlands at or above the applicable salary threshold
- Confirm the employer is in the IND public register of recognised sponsors
- Sign an employment contract meeting market-rate and threshold conditions
Sponsor files the application
- The recognised sponsor submits the Highly Skilled Migrant permit application to the IND
- If an MVV entry visa is required, the sponsor applies for the MVV and permit together via the TEV procedure
- Sponsor pays the EUR 423 fee and provides the required documents
Decision and entry
- IND decides, aiming for about 2 weeks via recognised sponsor with a legal limit of 90 days
- If approved and MVV required, collect the MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate and travel to the Netherlands
- Register with the municipality for a BSN and collect the residence permit card from the IND
Stay, extend and settle
- Maintain employment and the required salary level; the sponsor reports changes to the IND
- Renew or extend the permit on time as the contract continues
- After 5 years of continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence or naturalisation with the A2 civic integration exam
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: From a signed offer with a recognised sponsor, the IND typically decides within about 2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days), so most applicants can enter and start work within a few weeks to a couple of months.
Citizenship: Permanent residence and Dutch naturalisation are each available after 5 years of continuous legal residence, with naturalisation requiring a passed A2 civic integration exam and, in principle, renouncing prior nationality, though a 2025 government proposal to extend the naturalisation period to 10 years was pending and could change the citizenship timeline.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.