Effective January 1, 2014, foreign nationals applying for work authorization under the Knowledge Migrant (Kennismigranten) program for highly skilled foreign workers are required to prove higher annual gross minimal salary levels per category as follows: 

• applicants under the age of 30: at least EUR38,465.28, up from EUR38,141;
• applicant of 30 years or older: at least EUR52,462.08, up from EUR52,010
• foreign graduates of a Dutch institution of higher education, who decide to take advantage of the legal option to remain in the country for one year after graduation and search for employment: at least EUR27,565.92, up from EUR27,336.

This legal change by the state is expected to have a negative effect on the willingness of local employers to hire foreign highly-skilled individuals.