In 2023 small decrease in the number highly skilled migrants compared to 2022

It appears that a small decrease will take place in 2023 compared to 2022 in the number of applications for residence permits for highly skilled migrants, intra-company transfers (ICT) and European Blue Cards (the “Knowledge and Talent” category). This is based on IND statistics on the number of applications in the first tertial of 2023 (January to April). While there were 9,500 applications in the “Knowledge and Talent” category in the first tertial of 2022, there were only 8,210 applications in the first tertial of 2023. This represents a small decrease of 14%. The acceptance rate fell by 2% compared to 2022, from 94 to 92%.

It remains to be seen whether this decline in the number of applications in the “Knowledge and Talent” category has continued in the rest of 2023. At least in the second tertial of 2023 (May to August), the number of applications (9,680) increased compared to the first tertial of 2023 (8,210). To match the total number of applications in 2022 (33,030), at least 15,140 applications must be submitted in the last tertial of 2023 (September to December). Whether this will happen seems unlikely, since only 10,750 applications were submitted in the third tertial of 2022. Therefore, it seems that in 2023, there will be a small decrease in the number of applications in the “Knowledge and Talent” category.

Top three nationalities

The top three nationalities that were granted highly skilled migrant permits, ICT permits or European Blue Card permits in the first tertial of 2023 are:

1. India
2. Turkey
3. China

India, like previous years, seems to be back in first place. Turkey is also back in second place. China is third in the first tertial of 2023, making a comeback in the top three since its absence in 2022. In 2022, the top three nationalities were: India, Turkey and Russia. In 2021: India, China and Turkey. It shows that the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 may have caused a spike in Russian applications compared to other years. Now the ‘normal’ situation seems to have returned, with India, Turkey and China as the main countries providing highly skilled migrants.

“Family and Family” category

The number of applications for residence permits for family reunification did increase very slightly in the first tertial of 2023 compared to the first tertial of 2022. There were 13,990 applications in 2022, while there were 14,090 applications in 2023. The percentage of applications approved in the first tertial of 2023 also increased very slightly compared to the first tertial of 2022, from 88% to 89%The top three nationalities for family reunifications are India, Turkey and Russia. In 2022, this was exactly the same top three.

Click here for the IND’s annual reports of recent years.