As these graduates are not entitled to any benefits, they must provide for themselves, for instance by means of their own savings or a sideline. The extension of this period is not the only change; the salary requirements for being allowed to stay in the Netherlands as a ‘knowledge migrant’ have also been adjusted: the minimum initial salary that knowledge migrants must earn after that year has been decreased from 34,130 to 25,000 euros. The new amount bears a better proportion to what graduates can actually earn in practice.

The resolution was adopted in the Cabinet after it had received the advice from the Social and Economic Council (SER) about labor migration and the advice from the Advisory Committee on Alien Affairs (ACVZ) about student migration. Minister Donner of Social Affairs and Employment has laid down this advice in a law – also on behalf of Minister Klink of Health, Welfare and Sports.

The changes match the government’s objectives; by making it more attractive for talented international students to stay in the Netherlands after completion of their studies, it is hoped that the quality of the knowledge economy can be improved./.