Recognized sponsor in the Netherlands

What is a recognized sponsor?

A recognized sponsor is a company or institution that has been officially approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) to sponsor foreign employees and students who wish to work or study in the Netherlands.  Recognized sponsors are granted a more streamlined process for arranging work and residence permits for their foreign employees and students. 

What are the requirements?

The sponsor must be an employer that has a legal entity registered in the Netherlands. The sponsor needs to be financially stable, have a legitimate purpose for the sponsorship, and must have a good track record concerning compliance with immigration regulations. 

What are the benefits of being a recognized sponsor?

Not only do recognized sponsors have access to a simplified procedure for applying for work and study permits for their employees and students, the decision time for the IND for those applications is only two weeks. 

How does a company become a recognized sponsor?

The company needs to gather all necessary documents and complete the application form. There is a fee associated with the application process. The IND will review the application, and this process can take weeks.  

What are the legal obligations as a recognized sponsor? 

The recognized sponsor must adhere to various obligations, such as monitoring the status and wellbeing of the sponsored employees and continue to comply with Dutch immigration laws. 

For comprehensive advice, guidance and assistance with the application process, contact our expert team.