Do you, as a company, want to bring highly skilled migrants, researchers, students, or exchange participants from abroad to the Netherlands? In many cases, it is mandatory to be a recognized sponsor with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). In this blog, you will read step by step how to apply for recognized sponsorship, what requirements you must meet, and how Anywr Netherlands can fully relieve you of this process.
What is recognized sponsorship?
A recognized sponsor is a company in the Netherlands that the IND considers a reliable partner. With this sponsorship your company can submit applications for residence permits more quickly and easily, for example for highly skilled migrants. As a recognized sponsor, your company is listed in the Public Register of Recognized Sponsors and you benefit from faster procedures and less administrative burden.
Recognized sponsorship is mandatory for companies, educational institutions, and organizations that want to apply for residence permits for highly skilled migrants, researchers, au pairs, exchange youths, and students from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
For all other labor-related applications, recognized sponsorship saves time. You will receive a decision earlier after an individual application and can bring your non-EU employee to the Netherlands more quickly.
Step-by-step plan: how to apply for recognized sponsorship
1. Check the requirements
Your organization must meet various requirements, including:
- Registration with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK).
- Financial health (no recent bankruptcy or suspension of payment).
- Reliability of directors and stakeholders (no recent fines or criminal offenses).
- No arrears in social security contributions and wage taxes.
2. Collect the required documents
Depending on your situation, the IND requests various documents, such as Chamber of Commerce extracts, annual accounts, and certificates of conduct. The exact documents required are listed in the application form on the IND website.
3. Complete the application form
The application form for recognized sponsorship can be downloaded via ind.nl. Add all requested documents and send the complete application by post to the IND.
4. Pay the application fee
After receiving your application, the IND will send an invoice. The costs are €4,326 for companies with 50 or more employees and €2,162 for smaller companies (fees 2025). Only after payment will the IND process your application.
5. Wait for the decision
The IND has a maximum of 90 days to make a decision, but often it is faster if your application is complete. In practice, with a complete application, it sometimes takes only a few weeks. If your application is incomplete or your company has only recently been established in the Netherlands, the procedure may take longer (up to six months).
6. Registration in the public register
After approval, your organization will be included in the Public Register of Recognized Sponsors. From that moment, you can take advantage of the benefits of recognized sponsorship.
Benefits of recognized sponsorship
- Your company can make all types of labor-related applications.
- Faster procedures: Applications for residence permits are processed more quickly, often within two weeks.
- Less administrative burden: Fewer supporting documents required; a self-declaration usually suffices.
- Reliable image: Your company is listed as a recognized sponsor in the public register.
Anywr Netherlands guides you from A to Z
The application process can be complex, especially if you are doing this for the first time. Anywr Netherlands offers full support:
- Advice on the correct immigration procedure.
- Guidance in collecting the necessary documents.
- Advice on the content of your documents, especially important if your company has been established in the Netherlands for less than 1.5 years!
- Checking your application for completeness and accuracy.
- Clear explanations via our portal MyMove, where you and your employees can follow all steps.
- Proactive communication and updates throughout the entire process.
This ensures that your application runs smoothly and your company can quickly start as a recognized sponsor.
Would you like to know more or start the application immediately? Feel free to contact Anywr Netherlands. We are happy to think along with you and take the work off your hands.
