COVID-19 Travel Restrictions No Longer Apply to Highly Skilled Migrants

The situation

Effective immediately, permit holders, those with Highly Skilled Migrant long-term stay (MVV) visas, and visa-exempt nationals with approved Highly Skilled Migrant permits can enter the Netherlands, regardless of their country of residence.  This was previously not an allowed group of entrants per COVID-19-related travel restrictions in the Netherlands.

A closer look

• No restriction on country of residence. The new policy applies to individuals traveling from any country, including countries from which travel is not generally permitted or 'greenlisted'. 
• Other permit types remain banned due to COVID-19 restrictions. EU Intracompany Transfer Permit holders, among other non-resident foreign nationals, remain banned from entry into the Netherlands due to COVID-19, except:
  
  • Residents of Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay;
  • Family members of Dutch nationals or residents;
  • EU/Schengen Area/UK nationals and their family;
  • EU long-term residence permit holders;
  • Dutch long-term visa or permit holders;
  • Cross-border, transport and essential workers (e.g., healthcare professionals);
  • Those in transit; and
  • Those in a situation of absolute necessity.
• Consular services. Dutch consular posts are gradually resuming services to enable foreign nationals to benefit from eased travel restrictions and anticipate further exemptions.

Impact

• Avoid transit. Individuals seeking to use this exemption are advised to travel to the Netherlands directly, avoiding transit through EU countries that may apply different policies, to prevent issues during travel.
• Entry by air. Airlines have been informed of the adjusted policy; the approval letter or visa stamp should suffice for boarding. No medical testing or mandatory quarantine requirements apply upon arrival. 

Access Fragomen’s dedicated COVID-19 website for information about travel restrictions and other COVID-19-related policies for the Netherlands and other countries.

Background

Dutch authorities have included Highly Skilled Migrants in their definition of 'essential staff', following the European Union’s adoption of Fragomen’s recommendation to expand the category of essential travelers.

Looking ahead

As COVID-19 travel restrictions are eased in the Netherlands and global consular services start to resume, the Netherlands should see increased workforce mobilization. This, along with the allowance of Highly Skilled Migrants, is projected to re-open the Netherlands to a new pool of foreign workers.  As internal Schengen border controls are loosened, the Netherlands may be a suitable host country to support regional European operations impacted by ongoing closures in other EU countries.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].