To become a recognized sponsor, start by checking whether your company meets the IND requirements, such as having been in existence for at least 1.5 years and being registered with the Chamber of Commerce. You then submit an application to the IND with all required documents. The procedure takes 8–12 weeks for established companies or up to 6 months for younger businesses that are assessed by the RVO through a points system.
What is a recognized sponsor and why would you want to become one?
A recognized sponsor is a company, school, or organization that has been officially recognized by the IND to bring foreign employees to the Netherlands. This recognition gives you as an employer the right to apply for work permits for international employees more quickly and easily.
Recognized sponsorship offers significant advantages for companies that regularly hire international employees. You gain access to accelerated procedures in which the IND aims to make decisions within 2 weeks, although some cases can take up to 7 weeks when work permits are required. In addition, you need to submit fewer supporting documents and can submit applications online via Portaal Zakelijk.
For certain categories of employees, recognized sponsorship is mandatory, such as for highly skilled migrants, au pairs, exchange students, and researchers under EU Directive 2016/801. For regular employees, seasonal workers, and European Blue Card holders, it is optional but advantageous. Your recognition remains valid without a time limit, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.
What conditions must your company meet to become a recognized sponsor?
Your company must meet various general requirements set by the IND for all recognized sponsors. First, your organization must be registered in the Dutch Trade Register, unless you are exempt under the Trade Register Act 2007. The continuity and solvency of your company must be sufficiently guaranteed.
In addition, your organization must not be bankrupt or have a suspension of payments. The directors and other persons involved must be reliable according to IND criteria. You must also comply with applicable codes of conduct within your sector.
Additional requirements apply to companies engaged in the secondment of paid staff. These organizations must be registered with the Foundation for Compliance with Employment Conditions (SNA) and must notify the IND of any termination of this registration.
Specific additional conditions apply for research, study, and exchange, on top of the general requirements. The IND assesses in particular whether your company is financially healthy and can guarantee continuity for the international employees you wish to sponsor.
How does the application process for recognized sponsorship work, step by step?
The application process consists of several clear steps that you need to go through. Start by checking the requirements on ind.nl, where you can find when recognition is mandatory and which conditions apply. Then gather all required documents, which vary depending on your situation and type of business.
Complete the application form in full and download it from ind.nl. Make sure all requested documents are enclosed before sending the application to the IND. After receipt, you will receive payment instructions and must pay the fees due according to the rates on ind.nl.
Then wait for the decision during the 90-day processing period. This can be extended in the case of incomplete applications or additional investigations. Upon approval, you will be registered in the Public Register of Recognized Sponsors on ind.nl. If rejected, you can object to the decision.
For companies that have been in existence for less than 1.5 years, the procedure is more complex and can take up to 6 months. The RVO will then assess your application through a points system in which you must score at least 50 out of 100 points.
What are the costs and processing times for a recognized sponsor application?
The costs and processing times vary considerably depending on how long your company has been in existence. For businesses that have been in existence for more than 1.5 years, the procedure is the fastest, with a decision within 8–12 weeks. Companies that have been in existence for more than 1.5 years can sometimes still be subject to a longer procedure, depending on the IND’s findings regarding the liquidity, solvency, and reliability of the business.
Companies that have been in existence for less than 1.5 years go through an extensive assessment that can take up to 6 months. These applications are assessed by the RVO through a points system, which requires more paperwork and time. The exact costs are listed on ind.nl and you will receive payment instructions after the IND has received your application.
Foreign companies can benefit from an exception when the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) has been involved in the establishment in the Netherlands. With an NFIA letter of familiarity, the IND decides within 4–12 weeks, without involvement of the RVO or the points system.
There are no minimum or maximum numbers of applications per year required to maintain your recognition, which is cost-efficient for companies with fluctuating recruitment needs.
What obligations do you have as a recognized sponsor towards the IND?
As a recognized sponsor, you have ongoing obligations to maintain your status. You must ensure that your organization continues to meet all the conditions under which the recognition was granted. This means that your financial health and continuity must remain guaranteed.
You are required to notify the IND of changes in your business situation. This applies in particular to changes in the shareholder structure, takeovers, suspensions of payments, or bankruptcies. Changes in directors or other persons involved must also be reported.
For companies that second staff, the additional obligation applies to remain registered with the Foundation for Compliance with Employment Conditions (SNA). When this registration is terminated, you must notify the IND immediately.
Your recognition remains valid without a time limit, but only as long as you continue to meet all the conditions. The IND can withdraw your recognition if you no longer meet the requirements or fail to fulfill your obligations. Fortunately, you can also withdraw your recognition yourself when you no longer need it.
Obtaining recognized sponsorship is a valuable investment for companies that regularly hire international employees. The process requires careful preparation and compliance with all IND requirements, but offers significant advantages in speed and efficiency. At Eastwing, we help companies through the complete process from application to approval, so you can benefit from all the advantages that recognized sponsorship offers for your global mobility and immigration strategy. For more information on how we can support you, you can contact us.
