Effective 1 April 2016, the assessment of the continuity and solvency of companies applying for the status of recognised sponsor at the Dutch Immigration Authorities (IND) has become more lenient. For recently established companies, a business plan is no longer required in some situations.
Additionally, since 1 April 2016, a company can lose its status as a recognised sponsor if it has not submitted any immigration application in the previous three years and has no employees registered.
Finally, for applications for a work permit for key staff / highly-skilled migrants (kennismigranten), the gross monthly salary must now be recorded in the employment contract or employer’s declaration, rather than in pay slips or other documentary evidence.
Recognised Sponsors
Dutch legal entities applying for the status of recognised sponsor at the Immigration Authorities (IND) need to demonstrate the continuity and solvency of the company. For companies recently established (i.e. not older than 18 months), the assessment is very strict and includes providing a sound business plan that evidences sufficient potential and financials for the future.
As of 1 April 2016, the assessment has now become more lenient in certain cases and the business plan is no longer required in the following situations:
The IND does have full discretion to request additional information in case there is any doubt about the solvency or continuity or in the case of penalties or offences of the entity, board members or others. Should this be the case, application processing may suffer a serious delay and can potentially be rejected.
In addition, since 1 April 2016, a new ground for withdrawal of the recognised sponsor status is applicable. A company can now also lose its status as a recognised sponsor in case no immigration application has been filed in the past three years and there are no employees registered at the recognised sponsor.
Income Declaration
As of 1 April 2016, the Dutch Labour Authorities (UWV) have explicitly indicated to employers that a work permit request for key staff / highly-skilled migrants (kennismigranten) will be strictly examined under Article 1d of the Implementation Aliens Employment Act (BuWav). This regulation requires the UWV to assess the gross salary criterion based on a monthly salary.
Action Items