New powers for Dutch diplomatic missions
Recently Dutch diplomatic missions abroad (Embassies/Consulates) have been authorized to add a work notification to the MVV issued by them. This allows highly skilled migrants travelling to the Netherlands with an MVV to start working immediately upon arrival.
A work notification can also still be obtained with the IND upon arrival in the Netherlands.

Bulgarians, Romanians and Croats
With effect from January 1, 2014 Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will no longer require a work permit for employment in the Netherlands.
Nationals from Croatia will still require a work permit.

New salary requirements
The salary requirements for highly skilled migrants as per January 2014 are as follows:

  • Highly skilled migrants of 30 years and older: EUR 4,048 gross per month excl. 8% holiday allowance or EUR 4,371.84 incl. 8% holiday allowance.
  • Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years: EUR 2,968 gross per month excl. 8% holiday allowance or EUR 3,205.44 incl 8% holiday allowance.
  • Highly skilled migrants who graduated in the Netherlands and who started working as highly skilled migrants in the first year following their graduation: EUR 2,127 gross per month excl. 8% holiday allowance or EUR 2,297.16 incl 8% holiday allowance.

Important note: As of 1 January 2014 the salary requirement is no longer the annual gross but the monthly gross. Furthermore, the monthly salary needs to be wired to a (personal) bank account and allowances (e.g. housing, per diem, etc.) can from now on only be taken into account if paid monthly and on a regular basis.

The 2013 salary requirement will still be applicable to applications for highly skilled migrants, which have been filed and registered by the Dutch Immigration Authorities prior to January 1, 2014 and which are still in process.
The new salary requirements for 2014 are not applicable for employees who already have a valid Dutch residence permit which they applied for in previous years.

The 2014 salary requirement for Blue card holders will be EUR 4,743 excl. 8% holiday allowance and EUR 5,122.44 incl. 8% holiday allowance.

Duty of care requirements for employers under MoMi
Since the introduction of Modern Migration Policy employers have a.o. the legal duty of (special) care for their staff members with a Dutch residence permit.
Employers are obliged to arrange for a careful recruitment and selection process and to inform employees of their and their family members’rights and obligations. The employer should also be able to prove that he has fulfilled this requirement. This can be done by providing them and explaining the following (Dutch) brochure https://www.ind.nl/Documents/3077.pdf
We recommend to send or hand over this brochure to new and current staff who have a Dutch residence permit and to ask for a confirmation of receipt.

New filing fees IND
With effect from January 1, 2014 the legal fees for Dutch residence permit applications have been increased, the most important are:

  • registration as authorized sponsor for employment purposes EUR 5,065 (2013: EUR 5,000)
  • highly skilled migrant/Blue card EUR 861 (2013: EUR 850)
  • application for extension EUR 380 (2013: EUR 375)

Introduction RNI (“Registratie Niet Ingezetenen”)
According to information currently available, as from January 6, 2014 non-residents will no longer be able to obtain a sofi-number/BSN from a Dutch tax office. From this date 18 Municipal offices will take over tasks and responsibilities in this field from the Dutch Tax Office.
Needless to say that we can still assist with this application.