Does your company employ non-EU talent—or plan to do so in the future? Then you’re likely familiar with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the authority responsible for processing immigration applications. But did you know the IND Business Portal for work-related immigration applications? This portal can significantly speed up (Sept 2025: three weeks) the decision period of your applications!
To use this portal effectively, your company must meet a few key conditions. Here’s what you need to know:
Condition 1: recognized sponsorship
To access the IND Business Portal for work-related immigration applications, your company/the applicable entity must be a recognized sponsor. You can check your company’s sponsorship status on the IND website.
If your company is not yet a recognized sponsor, you’ll need to apply for this status first to get access to the business portal for work related immigration applications. In this article, we explain the application process—Anywr Netherlands is happy to assist you every step of the way.
Condition 2: use eHerkenning
In addition to recognized sponsorship, your company must use eHerkenning—a secure login system for businesses, similar to DigiD for individuals.
eHerkenning allows companies to safely access over 600 government services, including the IND, UWV, municipalities, the Tax and Customs Administration, and insurers.
There are three levels of assurance:
- EH2+
- EH3
- EH4
For immigration applications, EH3 is required.
Costs may vary depending on your provider and the number of users. In 2025, Anywr Netherlands pays €41 (excl. VAT) per person per year for EH3 access.
What if working with eHerkenning isn’t an option?
If you don’t have access to eHerkenning, you can still submit paper applications by post to the IND. However, the IND’s decision period will take longer than if you work in the business portal.
Condition 3: if you work with a service provider: set up chain authorization
If you work with a service provider like Anywr Netherlands, you’ll want to benefit from faster processing times. This is possible through a chain authorization, which links your company’s eHerkenning to your provider’s.
This connection enables all Anywr Netherlands immigration officers to submit applications via the IND Business Portal on your behalf.
The cost for chain authorization is approximately €50 per year. The provider also pays a fee per year for the chain authorization.
What if you work with a service provider and chain authorization isn’t an option?
If your company cannot—or chooses not to—set up chain authorization, you can still work with a service provider like Anywr Netherlands. In that case, we’ll submit a paper application by post to the IND.
Another option is to authorize per Anywr Netherlands employee in your eHerkenning. In this situation, Anywr Netherlands starts the authorization process up and asks you for your approval per our employee. She (or he) can then support you with all your applications. The costs for authorization per Anywr Netherlands employee is also € 50 per year.
This situation is not ideal, supposed that your dedicated Anywr immigration officer goes on holiday or falls sick.
Need support?
Anywr Netherlands supports companies with all types of work-related immigration applications, including:
- Highly skilled migrants
- Intra-corporate transferees
- Non-EU partners of EU citizens
- EU Blue Card
- And all other work related immigration applications.
We also assist with the application process to become a recognized sponsor.
Questions?
Reach out to us at info.nl@anywr-group.com—we’re here to help!
