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It's a faster lane within the single permit for graduates and specialists. With a higher-education degree, a contract of at least a year and a salary clearing the regional threshold, you skip the standard labour-market test.
The Highly Skilled Worker route is a faster track inside the single-permit system, aimed at graduates and specialists. If you hold a higher-education degree or equivalent qualification, have an employment contract of at least one year, and your gross salary is at or above your region's highly-skilled threshold, you can skip the standard labour-market test that applies to ordinary single-permit roles.
A couple of regional nuances are worth knowing. The threshold can be reduced for applicants under 30 and for nurses in Flanders, and your employer files through the competent regional economic-migration authority. It's typically issued as a single permit (A-card), plus a type-D long-stay visa where applicable, valid for the contract duration up to a maximum of three years and renewable. Authorities decide within 90 days.
This route is a common alternative to the EU Blue Card, and you can often qualify for both — so it's well worth comparing which one fits your salary and contract better.
Because salary thresholds are indexed and differ by region, always confirm the current figure for your region on the official source before relying on it. ACME can help you run the numbers on both the highly-skilled permit and the Blue Card for your specific region.
Get a free, personalised assessment from a licensed ACME advisor, or ask Acey.
Guidance only, not legal advice. ACME is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any government. Rules change, confirm details with official sources.