Every year we are in the top 3 of the best law firms in the Netherlands in the field of client satisfaction.

Every year we are in the top 3 of the best law firms in the Netherlands in the field of client satisfaction.

Essential start-up personnel

Innovative start-ups can apply for a work and residence permit for employees from outside the European Union against a reduced salary threshold: the permit for ‘essential’ start-up personnel. The salary threshold is € 2,801 exclusive 8% holiday pay gross per month. A number of other conditions do apply.

Innovative and scalable start-up

The start-up must be innovative with scalable activities. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) assesses the start-up and innovative character of the start-up. The RVO also assesses whether the business activities are scalable.

By 'scalable' activities is meant: that the start-up can continue to deliver a product or service sustainably while the start-up achieves rapid growth.

Continuing to supply sustainably means that the start-up can continue to meet all its financial obligations during the rapid growth.

Achieving rapid growth: this means accelerated (non-linear) value development.

The start-up is assessed as innovative if at least one of the following aspects is present:

  • The product or service is new to the Netherlands.
  • The start-up uses new technology in production, distribution or marketing.
  • The start-up has a new way of working and organizing.

Founders of the start-up

It is also required that the founders of the start-up have an active role in the company. This means that the founder is not just a shareholder or investor.

Financial position of the start-up

  • The RVO also assesses whether the solvency and liquidity are appropriate for the start-up and its plans.
  • RVO assumes that the financial situation is in order if the start-up has an investment agreement of at least €100,000 with a venture capitalist or Dutch bank.

Maximum number of employees and permits essential start up personel

  • A maximum of 15 employees can work for the start-up when a work and residence permit for essential start up personel is applied.
  • A maximum of 5 foreign employees of the start-up can obtain a permit for essential start-up personnel.

Who is considered an essential employee?

The essential employee for whom a permit is being requested must play an active role in the scalable and innovative business activities of the start-up. This role should be described in the business plan. The essential employee may therefore not only be a shareholder or financier.

Essential employee gets 1% stake in the start-up

The 'essential' foreign employee for whom a permit is requested must acquire a minimum interest of at least 1% in the start-up. What can that look like?

The employee gets:

  • Shares in the company of at least 1% at the time of conclusion of the agreement.
  • Depositary receipts for shares in the company of at least 1% at the time of conclusion of the agreement.
  • Stock Options: these stock options give the right to buy shares in the company at a pre-agreed price.

In addition, there can be:

  • No individual performance conditions attached to the right to the shares or stock options.
  • The term on which the entitlement to the shares becomes unconditional can be a maximum of three years, after the entry into force of the employment contract.

The RVO assesses which important role the employee will have within the company. And whether the employee receives the employee participation.

Salary threshold

A salary threshold of € 2,801 gross per month excluding 8% holiday allowance applies. This salary threshold is in line with the lowest salary threshold of the highly skilled migrant scheme.

Duration of work and residence permit essential start-up personel

The permit is granted for the first time for a period of one year. The residence permit can then be extended.

Duration of validity RVO advice on start-up

The RVO advice on whether the start-up is innovative and meets the other conditions is valid for 3 years from the start date of the first work and residence permit for essential start-up personnel. If the start-up applies for a new permit for a new essential start-up employee within this 3-year period, the RVO will only issue advice on:

  • The question of whether the employee will fulfill an essential role within the start-up.
  • Whether the employee will acquire an interest of at least 1% in the company.

Temporary Immigration Scheme

This scheme for essential start-up personnel is still a temporary scheme, and will end on 1 June 2025. An evaluation will take place in June 2024 to determine whether the scheme is successful. It will then be determined whether this new immigration scheme will become definitive or whether the regulation will be abolished again. If the scheme for essential start-up personnel is abolished, employees who have this work and residence permit may continue to work at the start-up for one year after the abolition of this scheme.

Want to know more about this subject?

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Testimonials
Be in Good Company. Our clients appreciate our excellent and client-oriented service.
10
Pieter came highly recommended to us so we reached out to him when our daughter had a serious time crunch to get her DAFT Visa application done and submitted before she ran out of time. We absolutely would not have been able to accomplish it...
10
Melanie Jeffcoat
12 October 2024
I had the pleasure of working with Kroes Advocaten for my family's immigration to the Netherlands, and I couldn't be more grateful for his expertise and dedication. From the very beginning, I was provided clear and detailed guidance, ensuring...
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Amine
10 October 2024
I was extremely satisfied with my residence consultant's work. Their expertise and attentive support made the entire process smooth and stress-free, and I highly recommend their services!
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Arman Saulebay
9 October 2024
For my Adjustment of Status case, Florent from Kroes Advocaten has been very responsive and very thorough about the process. He guided me how to prepare whole set of evidences. Due to COVID 19, so many things had changed and it caused problem...
10
Mike Tang
7 October 2024
Working with Florent from Kroes Advocaten made my residence permit application process so smooth and painless. He walked me through every step, was very communicative through the entire process and was always very quick to answer my many...
10
Amanda
4 October 2024
I like to enlist the help of Kroes Lawyers for all my visa questions and applications. They have the expertise, the communication is perfect, the turnaround time is short and with the help of Kroes Advocaten I am sure that the correct...
10
Antoinette
2 October 2024
I had the pleasure of working with Sander at Kroes Advocaten, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. From start to finish, Sander demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication. He took the time...
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Shlomo
1 October 2024
"This was my second time using their services, and once again, I was impressed. Every aspect was explained clearly, and their immediate responses and interactions made the process seamless. Their thorough attention to detail in document...
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YASSER
30 September 2024
Na een teleurstellende uitspraak van de IND besloten mijn partner en ik van advocaat te wisselen, omdat onze vorige advocaat naar ons gevoel niet de nodige inzet toonde. Onze keuze viel op Kroes Advocaten. Direct na het teleurstellende nieuws...
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Symone
30 September 2024
Read testimonials from clients
Tiange Gao, HR Operations Western Europe

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Kroes Advocaten for the outstanding service that is provided in the work permit and residence applications, specifically the ICT visa process. Our dedicated lawyer Mr. Sander Groen, whose professionalism and attention to detail makes the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Their ability to tackle extremely difficult cases with a positive outcome reflects the high standards of excellence at Kroes Advocaten.”

Marek Macek, Consulting Director

“We have not had a single instance where Kroes Advocaten did not deliver what was promised to us. They are typically very specific about the process, costs and timelines. This is a great value-add to us, as it simply takes away another risk item and allows us to successfully live up to our commitments to our customers.”

Vera Hoffmann, Global Mobility Manager

"They are great to work with, responsiveness, knowledgeable and great communication to our foreigners. "

Parag Deshpande, Sr. Director

“All expectations met. They also helped set a process for audit from IND in Netherlands for us which is really handy. They maintain a copy of each case in electronic and physical format at their office. Also reminders on expiring visas and application to renew the same in time is handy.”

Marios Stangonis, Legal Department

“The team of KROES Advocaten leaves us always satisfied with the quality of the services they provide us with. They know very well the technicalities of Dutch immigration law and legal procedures and are able to give us precise direction within short deadlines. We feel confident that every issue we assign them is under control.”

Martijn Coeveld, Director of Operations

“We consider Kroes Advocaten as one of our key partners; they play an essential role in recruiting new talent for TBA. Kroes Advocaten provide clarity early-on, get to action promptly and are responsive throughout the entire visa application process.”

Anurag Nautiyal, Sales Director & Head – Continental Europe

I would like to thank Kroes Advocaten  for the excellent job that all of you have done in managing these assignments. It was professionally handled, expertly managed, with timely updates and at no point did it seem that you are not in control. “

Nynke Doorenbos, Executive Vice President, HR, Legal and Operations

"We have been working with Kroes Advocaten for several years mainly in relation to Visa applications for expats. We value their efficiency, responsiveness and professionalism. Based on our experience in working with them, we have complete faith in their capabilities of getting the job done! On behalf of our organisation I take this opportunity to thank Sander Groen, Sarah Lindeboom and the rest of the team for always delivering excellence and organizing valuable seminars and events for knowledge sharing. Very much appreciated!"

Kailas Ugale, Manager – Visa & Immigration

“Kroes Advocaten  is a leader in the field of Dutch Immigration law, work permit and process and consistently provides us with outstanding value. Their service remains extremely client oriented, user friendly and highly efficient. Their fees are extremely competitive yet they offer solid legal strategic advice with consistently high service and results.” 

Venera Khairullina, Visa Strategy & Compliance Group

We  have been working with Kroes Advocaten for all our visa applications in Netherlands. They have been very efficient, responsive, and have a high-skilled team of immigration specialists. They also very good in finding smart solutions that are compliant with the local laws and regulations and they timely warn us about any changes in the local law. We are generally very pleased with their assistance.

Joe White, Regional Manager

"Kroes Advocaten have assisted us with the relocation of many staff in recent years. Their work has been exemplary - we've never had any issues, everything is completed on time and for a reasonable price. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs to transfer staff from overseas to The Netherlands."

Henk Offermans, Finance & HR Manager

Kroes Advocaten have assisted us a few times now with expats coming from Japan and we can testify that they have a very straightforward approach. What really stands out is their way of communication. They are clear on every step, inform us immediately when there is new information and also help the expats, who are unfamiliar with the Netherlands, by showing them what to do in a clear way when their input is required. Our expats are very positive about the service delivered.

Teresa Vanderlaan, Global Humans Resources Manager 

Many times we are all rushing to get work completed and forget the simple words of “thank you”. I wanted to stop today and tell you I truly appreciate how responsive you and your team are, how you communicate and explain the world of immigration to myself and colleagues, and your availability to myself and anyone on my team. While I am half Dutch, I have heard generalizations made, that the Dutch are very slow in responding and working. That has not been the case with you and you have no idea how helpful it has been for me to work with you. So “thank you”. You help me make my job easier.

Barak Bar-Hen, CEO Elad Europe

"The Elad Europe group has started working with Mr. Sander Groen since 2007, and is using his good services for its employees. Mr. Groen has shown that he has vast knowledge, experience and good contacts within the authorities and always provided best results in minimum time."

Cristina Ruz, HR Director, Strategic Business Partner

"Sheryl Goldberg is one of the best Immigration professionals that I have worked with. She has a vast knowledge of the immigration system but her differentiator is the way she applies this to any business situation together with her direct and plain way to explain the solutions. In additional to this, Sheryl is great and positive person and we find her as an extension to our HR team. Thanks so much Sheryl for all your help!"

Amy Darling

Jelle was a fantastic partner and advisor throughout the process of applying for nearly 20 work permits for our staff. He was always very transparent about the work that needed to be completed for the best results and was very upfront about the costs of that work. We never felt manipulated or neglected, and both Jelle and his team were very pleasant to work with. We would highly recommend hiring Jelle and his team for any US companies hoping to obtain permits for working in the Netherlands.”

Murat Alexandrovich Koedanetov, Directeur

"Kroes Advocaten has been assisting Arkoil Technologies Netherlands for many years with applications for visas and work permits for its staff, with legal issues and all our questions regarding the Aliens Act. We at Arkoil Technologies Netherlands believe that Kroes Advocaten offers excellent and client-oriented service. And points that we find very important are: flexibility, good communication, quick answers and of course solutions that are always found by Kroes Advocaten."

Rony Barbi, Director of HR

"Fornova started working with Mr. Sander Groen on January 2016 and is using his excellent services for its employees. Mr. Groen has shown that he has vast knowledge, experience and always available to give us the professional services we needed.“

Pieter Viljoen Sr, CEO and founder of Infomet

"I wish to express my satisfaction and extreme gratitude for the very competent and thorough work done by Sander Groen with respect to the handling of Pieter Viljoen Jr.'s immigration matters. He is a true professional and a truly pleasant individual to work with! He is knowledgeable, factual, and wise!"

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