Recognized sponsorship is mandatory for employers who want to hire specific categories of international employees, such as highly skilled migrants, au pairs, exchange students, and researchers. You need this IND recognition before you can apply for visas or residence permits for these employees. The obligation depends on the type of employee and their nationality, not on the size of your company.
What is recognized sponsorship and when do you need it?
A recognized sponsor is a company that is recognized by the IND to submit applications for visas and residence permits for international employees. This status gives you the right to initiate immigration procedures on behalf of your future employees.
You need recognized sponsorship when you want to hire international employees for specific residence purposes. The IND assesses your company on reliability and financial health before granting you this recognition. This means they look at your continuity, solvency, and whether you are registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
The main advantage of recognized sponsorship is that the IND processes your applications faster. They aim for a decision within 2 weeks, although some cases can take up to 7 weeks when a work permit is required. You also need to submit fewer supporting documents and can submit applications online via Portaal Zakelijk.
For which employees is a recognized sponsor required?
Recognized sponsorship is mandatory for specific categories of international employees: au pairs, exchange students, highly skilled migrants, and researchers under EU Directive 2016/801. An exception to this obligation applies to highly skilled migrants and researchers with Turkish nationality.
For other categories of employees, recognized sponsorship is optional but possible. This applies to regular employees, seasonal workers, employees who learn while working, intra-company transfers, and holders of the European Blue Card. Although not mandatory, it can be advantageous due to faster processing and reduced administrative burden.
The nationality of your employee also plays a role. EU citizens generally do not need a residence permit to work in the Netherlands, so recognized sponsorship is usually not relevant for them. For employees from countries outside the EU, it depends on their specific situation and the type of work they will be doing.
When do you need to become a recognized sponsor as an employer?
You must become a recognized sponsor before you can sponsor international employees for their visas or residence permits. Start this process well in advance, as processing times range from 90 days for established companies to up to 6 months for young businesses.
The procedure depends on how long your company has been in existence. Has your company been operating for more than 1.5 years and is your organization liquid, solvent, and reliable? Then the IND will process your application directly. For companies younger than 1.5 years, additional requirements apply and the RVO issues advice to the IND. This significantly delays the procedure.
The costs for recognition as a sponsor amount to €4,866 for established companies. For companies that have been in existence for less than 1.5 years and have fewer than 50 employees worldwide, a reduced rate of €2,432 applies. Plan this investment when considering international expansion. Please note that these amounts apply to the year 2025.
For young companies, the procedure is more complex. The RVO assesses your company using a points system in which you must score at least 50 out of 100 points. They look at your business plan, organizational structure, financial plan, and liquidity forecast for the next three years.
What happens if you are not a recognized sponsor but still want to hire international employees?
Without recognized sponsorship, you cannot submit residence permit applications for employees who require this status. Other possible types of residence permits that can be applied for without the status of recognized sponsor are often more complex and time-consuming. You miss out on the benefits of faster processing and less administrative hassle that recognized sponsorship offers.
The risk is that you miss out on international talent because competitors with recognized sponsorship can bring their employees to the Netherlands faster and more easily. In a tight labor market, this can be a significant competitive disadvantage, especially for specialist roles where international expertise is desired.
An alternative is to work with a global mobility service provider that is a recognized sponsor. They can handle the immigration process for you, but this comes with additional costs and you remain dependent on an external party for your international staffing planning.
Recognized sponsorship is a strategic decision that depends on your plans for international recruitment. The investment in time and money is especially worthwhile when you regularly want to hire international employees. We help companies navigate these complex procedures and ensure that your global mobility strategy aligns well with your business goals. Contact us for more information.
