An immigration lawyer helps individuals, families, and businesses navigate the Dutch immigration system. This includes applying for residence permits, work visas (such as the highly skilled migrant permit), sponsorship licences for employers, family reunification, and citizenship procedures. They also handle appeals and legal objections when the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) rejects an application.

You need a lawyer (advocaat) rather than a general adviser when your case involves a legal appeal, court proceedings, or a situation where legal privilege and representation rights matter. If the IND has rejected your application, if you face deportation, or if your employer’s sponsorship licence is at risk, a registered advocaat with immigration law expertise is essential.

Fees vary depending on the complexity of the case. Most immigration lawyers charge between €150 and €350 per hour. For standard residence permit applications, a fixed fee arrangement is often possible. Ask for a written cost estimate upfront, covering not just legal fees but also IND application fees (which range from €192 to €1,425 depending on permit type) and any translation or notarisation costs.

Yes. Law & More offers a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and assess your options before any costs are incurred. This allows you to understand what type of permit applies to your case, the realistic chance of success, and what the full process involves.

The kennismigrant permit is a fast-track residence and work permit for highly qualified professionals earning above the IND salary threshold (updated annually). The employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor. Applications are typically processed within two weeks. An immigration lawyer can help employers obtain and maintain their sponsorship licence and assist employees with the permit application.

Timelines depend on the type of permit. Highly skilled migrant permits are processed in approximately two weeks. Standard residence permit applications (MVV and VVR) typically take two to three months. If an application is rejected and you submit an objection (bezwaar), the process can extend by several months. Legal support significantly reduces the risk of delays caused by missing documents or incorrect forms.

You can file an administrative objection (bezwaarschrift) within four weeks of the rejection decision. If the objection is also rejected, you can appeal to the administrative court (rechtbank). An immigration lawyer can assess the grounds of rejection, prepare the objection, and represent you in court if necessary.

Yes. Family reunification allows the spouse or registered partner and minor children of a Dutch resident to apply for a residence permit. The IND applies strict income requirements: the sponsor must earn at least 100% of the relevant minimum wage. An immigration lawyer helps ensure all documentation meets IND standards, reducing the risk of rejection.

An MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) is the entry visa required before arriving in the Netherlands for a long-stay permit. A VVR (Verblijfsvergunning voor bepaalde tijd) is the actual residence permit issued once you are in the country. Not all nationalities require an MVV. An immigration lawyer can confirm which procedure applies to your nationality and situation.

Yes. Law & More advises employers on obtaining and maintaining their IND-recognised sponsor status, which is required to employ highly skilled migrants, intra-company transferees, and other work permit holders. This includes setting up internal compliance procedures, preparing for IND audits, and responding to compliance investigations.

The Netherlands has residence permits for a fixed period and for an indefinite period, and within these various purposes such as work, study, family, medical treatment, and asylum. A separate, freer regime applies to EU citizens. Which permit is appropriate depends on your situation and purpose of stay; we advise on the most suitable route.

The highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) scheme allows non-EU employees who meet a salary criterion to work in the Netherlands through a recognised sponsor. It offers an accelerated and simplified procedure. The required salary differs by age group. We advise both employers and employees on the conditions and the application.

For family reunification, the sponsor must generally have a sufficient, independent, and lasting income, often at least the statutory minimum wage. Additional requirements may apply, such as suitable housing and, in some cases, the basic civic integration examination abroad. The exact requirements depend on the residence status and the family relationship.

Naturalisation is in principle possible after five years of uninterrupted lawful residence, provided you have integrated and have no relevant criminal record. Shorter periods sometimes apply when married to a Dutch national. Besides naturalisation, the option procedure exists in certain cases. Not every country permits dual nationality, which deserves attention beforehand.

Many migrants from outside the EU must integrate: they learn the Dutch language and knowledge of society and sit examinations. The requirement is linked to the purpose of stay and is important for a stronger residence status and for naturalisation. Certain groups are exempt or can be excused. We explain which obligations apply to you.

Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland may live and work in the Netherlands without a residence permit on the basis of free movement. Registration with the IND and the municipality may nevertheless be required. Their family members, including those from outside the EU, can benefit from this favourable regime. The conditions differ substantially from those for non-EU migrants.

The IND can withdraw a permit, for example if the conditions are no longer met or if incorrect information was provided. You can object to a withdrawal decision and, if necessary, appeal to the court. It is important to observe the short deadlines and to seek legal assistance in good time to protect your residence.

An asylum application is submitted to the IND, which assesses whether the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution or a real risk of serious harm on return. The procedure involves interviews, an intended decision, and a decision. If rejected, an appeal is available. Asylum law is closely interwoven with international and European legislation.

Highly educated graduates from Dutch or top-ranked universities can apply for an 'orientation year' residence permit. During that year they may work freely on the Dutch labour market and look for a job or set up a business, without an employer having to act as a recognised sponsor. It is a stepping stone to, for example, the highly skilled migrant scheme.

A sponsor is the person or organisation with an interest in the migrant's stay. Employers and educational institutions can have themselves recognised as a 'recognised sponsor', which brings faster procedures and a lighter burden of proof, but also administrative and duty-of-care obligations. We assist organisations with recognition and with complying with those obligations.

Many IND decisions can first be challenged through an objection and then an appeal before the court. The time limits are short, often four weeks, so it is important to have the rejection assessed carefully to put forward the right grounds. In asylum cases, an appeal often applies directly instead of an objection.

If your residence permit depends on your partner, a divorce can affect your residence right. Depending on the length of your stay and your situation, you may be able to apply for an independent residence permit, for example on the grounds of continued residence or special circumstances.

For a permanent residence permit and for naturalisation, an uninterrupted stay of five years usually applies, but the exact conditions differ. Not every residence purpose counts in the same way, and periods abroad or under certain temporary purposes can interrupt the count.

For most work-related residence permits, such as for highly skilled migrants, the employer must be a recognised sponsor with the IND. That recognition brings obligations, such as a duty of care and record-keeping. Without recognition, a fast highly skilled migrant application is generally not possible.

A return decision establishes that a foreign national must leave the Netherlands, usually within a set period. It can be accompanied by an entry ban. Against a return decision legal remedies are available, and in some situations departure can be postponed.