Ugandan citizens qualify as third-country nationals if they obtain an employment contract with a Netherlands-based employer or research institution recognised as a sponsor by the IND. The agreed salary must meet the applicable highly skilled migrant threshold and be market-conform. For 2026 the gross monthly thresholds excluding holiday pay are EUR 5,942 for workers aged 30 or older, EUR 4,357 for workers younger than 30 and EUR 3,122 where the reduced salary criterion legally applies.

The Dutch Highly Skilled Migrant residence permit enables recognised Dutch employers and research organisations to recruit highly skilled workers from outside the European Union. The employer, rather than the worker, submits the residence application.

Benefits
The residence permit is issued for the duration of the employment contract up to a maximum of five years. It authorises work as a highly skilled migrant and permits self-employment under the stated residence-document conditions. Workers who lose employment generally receive up to three months to find a new recognised sponsor; those who lost employment on or after 2026-05-22 after holding the permit for at least two years may receive up to six months, limited by the remaining permit validity.

Requirements
Applicants need a qualifying Dutch employment contract, a recognised IND sponsor, salary meeting the current threshold and market rate and the identity, civil-status and immigration documents requested by the employer and IND. Regulated healthcare professionals must satisfy applicable BIG-registration requirements. Foreign supporting documents may need legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to apply
Secure qualifying employment with an employer listed in the IND public register of recognised sponsors. Provide the employer with the required personal and immigration documents. The employer submits the MVV and residence-permit application online through the IND Business Portal or by the official recognised-sponsor application form and pays the EUR 423 application fee.