https://ind.nl/en/Pages/required-amounts-income-requirement.aspx#Application_for_residence_permit_highly_skilled_migrant_and_European_Blue_Card The reduced salary criterion applies in the following situations: ...The highly skilled worker never had a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons, but does meet the conditions for this residence purpose. For example, because the highly skilled worker has graduated, has a PhD or conducted scientific research. The residence permit for employment as a highly skilled worker is applied for within 3 years of the graduation date, the date on which the doctorate was awarded, or the date on which the residence permit for scientific research expired.