Medium to large companies benefit most from recognised sponsorship due to lower costs per application, faster procedures, and reduced administrative burden. Small companies can also benefit, but the cost-benefit ratio is more favourable for organisations that regularly recruit international employees. The IND processes applications from established companies within 8–12 weeks.
What is recognised sponsorship and why does company size matter?
Recognised sponsorship is a status granted by the IND to organisations that regularly apply for work and residence permits for international employees. As a recognised sponsor, you can submit applications for highly skilled migrants, researchers, and other international employees more quickly and with fewer documents.
Company size plays an important role because the costs and administrative requirements remain the same regardless of how many applications you submit. In 2025, the IND charges €4,866 for recognition (€2,432 for companies younger than 1.5 years or with fewer than 50 employees worldwide). This investment is recouped more quickly when you recruit multiple international employees per year.
Large companies also have more resources to meet the continuity and solvency requirements set by the IND. They typically have more stable financial positions and established HR departments capable of managing compliance.
What benefits does recognised sponsorship offer medium and large companies?
Medium and large companies experience the greatest benefits of recognised sponsorship through economies of scale and efficiency gains. The IND processes their applications within 2 weeks instead of the standard 90 days, significantly accelerating their recruitment of international talent.
The administrative benefits are substantial. You need to submit fewer supporting documents with each application and can use the Portaal Zakelijk for online submission. This saves HR departments a great deal of time and administrative effort, especially with multiple applications per year.
Financially, the benefits are greatest for companies with regular international recruitment. The recognition fee of €4,866 (in 2025) is already recouped after 3–4 applications through time savings and lower processing costs. Large companies also save on external advisory costs because they need to navigate less complex procedures.
The reputational benefits should not be underestimated. Recognised sponsorship demonstrates that you meet the stringent IND requirements and are a reliable employer for international talent.
Can small companies also benefit from recognised sponsorship?
Small companies can certainly benefit from recognised sponsorship, but the cost-benefit analysis works out differently than for large organisations. For companies that recruit only 1–2 international employees per year, the costs outweigh the benefits.
The benefits for small companies are nonetheless real. You gain access to the same accelerated procedures and reduced administration. This is particularly valuable for startups and scale-ups that want to grow quickly with international talent and cannot afford lengthy procedures.
Small companies do receive a reduced fee of €2,432 instead of €4,866 (in 2025), provided they are younger than 1.5 years or have fewer than 50 employees worldwide. This makes the investment more accessible for smaller organisations.
Alternatives for small companies include hiring an immigration adviser per application or using payroll companies that are already recognised sponsors. These options can be more cost-effective for occasional recruitment of international employees.
What are the requirements to become a recognised sponsor and how do they differ by company size?
The IND requirements for recognised sponsorship vary considerably based on company size and age. Companies that have been in existence for more than 1.5 years go through a simpler procedure lasting 8–12 weeks, while younger companies undergo an extensive assessment of up to 6 months.
For established companies (>1.5 years), the main requirements are: registration with the Chamber of Commerce, no arrears in social security contributions and payroll taxes, reliable directors, and no bankruptcy in the past three years. The IND also assesses turnover and profitability, but without the strict points system that applies to younger companies.
Younger companies (<1.5 years) must meet a points system requiring 50 out of 100 points. They must submit a comprehensive business plan, market analysis, financial plan, and liquidity forecast. The RVO assesses these documents for continuity and solvency before the IND makes a decision.
Small companies often have more difficulty gathering all the required documents and meeting financial thresholds such as a minimum of €50,000 in assets on the balance sheet. Large companies typically already have these documents and automatically meet the financial requirements.
At Eastwing, we help companies of all sizes navigate these complex requirements for immigration and recognised sponsorship. We analyse your specific situation and advise whether recognised sponsorship is the right choice for your organisation, taking into account your recruitment plans and available resources. For personalised advice, you can contact us.
