Visa Requirements

Immigration Rules & Visa Sponsorship

Essential criteria, salary thresholds, and official pathways for work visa sponsorship in the UK and Netherlands.

🇬🇧

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2)

📋 Visa Routes Available

Skilled Worker Visa Main route for sponsored employment. Valid up to 5 years, leads to settlement (ILR).
Health & Care Worker Visa Reduced fees & exemptions for eligible health professionals. Lower salary threshold applies.
Global Talent Visa For leaders or potential leaders in tech, science, arts. No job offer required.

💰 Salary Thresholds (2025/26)

General Skilled Worker £38,700 /yr

New Entrant (under 26 / UK grad) £30,960 /yr

Health & Care Workers £29,000 /yr

SOC-specific "going rate" Varies by role

✅ Key Requirements

✓ Job offer from a UKVI-licensed sponsor employer

✓ Role at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent)

✓ English language proficiency at B1 CEFR level

✓ Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from employer

✓ Meet the financial maintenance requirement (£1,270 savings)

ℹ️ Salary must meet both the general threshold and the SOC-specific going rate for your occupation code. The higher of the two applies.

🇳🇱

Netherlands

Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)

📋 Permit Routes Available

Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) Primary route for knowledge workers. Employer must be IND-recognised sponsor. Fast-track processing.
EU Blue Card EU-wide permit for highly qualified workers. Higher salary threshold, but portable across EU member states.
Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) 1-year permit for recent graduates of top universities to seek employment in the Netherlands.

💰 Salary Thresholds (2025)

HSM (age 30 and over) €5,331 /mo

HSM (under 30 years) €3,909 /mo

EU Blue Card €6,245 /mo

Orientation Year graduates No minimum

✅ Key Requirements

✓ Employer must be IND-recognised sponsor (public register)

✓ Market-rate salary meeting the threshold for your age bracket

✓ No separate language requirement for work permits

✓ Valid employment contract with Dutch-registered company

✓ TB screening & health insurance coverage required

ℹ️ The 30% ruling allows employers to pay 30% of salary tax-free as a reimbursement for extraterritorial costs. This applies for up to 5 years and can significantly boost take-home pay.

⚠️ Immigration rules change frequently. The information above reflects published thresholds as of 2025. Always verify current requirements with the official UK Gov and IND Netherlands websites before making career decisions.