Reasons why you should swap your highly skilled migrant visa for a Blue Card

The highly skilled migrant visa is probably the most favoured visa by many Dutch employers, as the processing time can be short and the application process is relatively simple. This stance can be supported by statistics. According to the CBS, in 2024, the IND issued approximately 16000 highly skilled migrant visas. Meanwhile, according to Eurostat, in 2024, only 446 European blue cards were issued in the Netherlands.

Is the highly skilled migrant visa really the best visa for the skilled migrants themselves or is it a “slapdash” approach that people should swap for something better? In the following context, we will explain the reasons as to why people should consider swapping their highly skilled migrant permit for a European Blue Card. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. Let’s have a gander at the bona fide benefits that a European Blue Card can give, whilst a highly skilled migrant visa cannot.

Statutory tuition fees for European Blue Card holders and their family members

Pursuant to article 16 of the EU Blue Card Directive, European Blue Card holders should enjoy equal treatment with nationals of the Member State issuing the Blue Card as regards, inter alia, education and vocational training. By Royal Decree of 3 June 2024 (Stb. 2024, 150), the Dutch Government transposed this EU Directive provision into domestic law, as a result of which EU Blue Card holders and their dependent family members can potentially qualify for Dutch statutory tuition fee (ie. €2694 for the academic year 2026-2027), should they want to pursue a university degree programme in the Netherlands. This change has also been adopted and implemented by, for example, the University of Utrecht. As is mentioned on page 17 of their regulation on registration and tuition fee 2026-2027, family members of a European Blue Card holder qualify for statutory tuition fee. Considering the substantial discrepancy between the statutory tuition fee and a course-specific international fee, this facility will undoubtedly help families of Blue Card holders save thousands of euros. Moreover, Blue Card holders and their family members can potentially qualify for a study loan, in case of need.

Special remark and longer permitted absence in future

When a European Blue Card holder obtains the status of EU long term stay ("EU langdurig ingezetene" in Dutch), their residence card will mention the fact that they used to be a Blue Card holder. Pursuant to article 18(5) of the EU Blue Card Directive, they can stay up to 24 consecutive months outside the EU without the risk of losing their EU long term stay permit. Without such a remark, one can only stay up to 364 days outside the EU.

Longer search period in case of unemployment

Another salient benefit is that a European Blue Card holder will be given up to six months to look for a new job, in the event of unemployment, if they have been in possession of a Blue Card for a period of two years or longer. A six-month search period is more realistic, considering that it often takes a few months to finish different rounds of interviews, let alone the need of taking aptitude tests for some positions.  

In addition to the aforementioned perks, a European Blue Card holder can potentially carry over the time that they have built up in a Member State to another Member State, which is known as intra-EU mobility. 

Stricter requirements under the EU Blue Card Directive 

Standing in contrast to the highly skilled migrant visa, a European Blue Card applicant needs to have accomplished at least three years of higher education ("higher education qualifications") or 5 years of professional experience ("higher professional skills") at a level comparable to higher education qualifications. The higher education qualifications and the higher professional skills are jointly referred to as "higher professional qualifications." Under the new EU Blue Card Directive, the higher professional qualifications must be related to the work to be carried out.  Also, in comparison with the highly skilled migrant visa, for some people, the applicable salary threshold is higher.  Nevertheless, the benefits of a European Blue Card probably outweigh the efforts needed to acquire it. 

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If you are interested in knowing more about the European Blue Card and how to obtain a Blue Card, please feel free to book a consultation with one of our lawyers.