Sponsor (referent)

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A sponsor (referent) is the person, company or organisation that has an interest in a foreign national’s stay in the Netherlands and takes on obligations towards the IND. Article 2a of the Aliens Act 2000 (Vw 2000) sets out who can act as sponsor. In family migration this is usually the partner or relative; in labour migration, the employer.

Who can act as a sponsor?

Under article 2a(1) Vw 2000, a sponsor can be:

  • a Dutch national who lives, or will live, in the Netherlands with the foreign national;
  • a foreign national with lawful residence in the Netherlands who will live with the foreign national;
  • a company or legal entity registered in the Dutch trade register (Handelsregister).

The sponsor must submit a written declaration about the intended stay, unless the sponsor has been designated by the minister (article 2a(2) Vw 2000). A missing declaration is a refusal ground (articles 16 and 18 Vw 2000).

What are the obligations of a sponsor?

A sponsor has a duty to provide information, a duty to keep records and, for recognised sponsors, a duty of care. Changes that affect the permit, such as the end of an employment contract or a relationship, must generally be reported to the IND within four weeks. Records must be kept until five years after the sponsorship has ended. The IND can impose an administrative fine if these obligations are not met.

What is a recognised sponsor?

Organisations can be recognised by the IND as a sponsor (erkend referent, article 2c Vw 2000). Recognition is required for, among others, employers of highly skilled migrants, research institutions and educational institutions with international students. The IND keeps a public register of recognised sponsors.

When does sponsorship end?

Under article 2b Vw 2000, sponsorship ends, among other cases, when another person becomes sponsor, when the permit is changed, when the foreign national obtains a permanent permit or Dutch nationality, or when the foreign national leaves the Netherlands permanently or dies.

Related terms

Our immigration lawyers advise employers, sponsors and families on regular migration and Dutch nationality. Want to know what this means for your situation? Book a free introductory meeting.