DAFT Visa Netherlands - Dutch American Friendship Treaty

American citizens interested in obtaining the DAFT visa can receive assistance from our team of Dutch immigration lawyers.

Quick Facts
Eligibility	American citizens
Governing law	The DAFT (Dutch American Friendship) Treaty, signed in 1956 and in force since 1957
Used by	Entrepreneurs
DAFT visa validity	2 years, renewable
DAFT visa conditions	The US citizen applying for this visa will start a business in the Netherlands that will trade between the US and the Netherlands
DAFT visa minimum investment amount	EUR 4,500 (approximately USD 5,100)
Application process	An appointment is scheduled with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. The application is submitted with the Dutch authorities
Required documents	Valid travel document, proof of income, proof of lack of criminal record, proof of sufficient income, business incorporation documents
Mandatory steps	Opening a bank account in the Netherlands and depositing the minimum capital
Steps handled in the Netherlands	Company incorporation in the Netherlands
Dependents can join the visa holder (Yes/No)	Yes
Types of companies that can be incorporated in the Netherlands	Limited liability company or sole trader
Company registration requirements	Mandatory registration with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
Permanent residence in the Netherlands	After a continuous stay of 5 years
Reasons to invest in the Netherlands	Good infrastructure Excellent location in Europe Competitive economy Government policies supporting growth, innovation and research
Minimum capital for a private limited company	EUR 0.01 in cash or in kind.
Other registrations for the company	With the Netherlands Tax Administration.
Minimum capital for the sole trader	Not applicable
Choosing the right business form	The sole trader does not allow for limited liability, as in the case of the corporation. American investors choose the most suitable type of company based on their business needs.
Company taxation in the Netherlands	19% on the first EUR 200,000 of taxable profits and 25.8% over this amount.
Sole trader taxation in the Netherlands	35.75% on taxable income of up to EUR 38,883, 37.56% up to EUR 78,426 and 49.5% over this amount.
Assistance for company formation for the DAFT visa	Our company formation specialists can guide you along the way when setting up the company.
Is applying for a DAFT visa mandatory for American investors?	Not mandatory, but advisable as it is advantageous for entrepreneurs with American nationality.
DAFT visa processing time	Approximately one or two months
Maximum legal processing time	3 months
Examples of businesses that can be opened by American investors with the DAFT visa	IT company, tourism company, e-commerce businesses, event planning firms, health and wellness companies, or companies that will provide education services.
Special licensing	Depending on the industry in which the business will activate.
When to contact us	As soon as you decide to open a company in the Netherlands and wish to start the process for the DAFT visa application.
Other solutions we provide to investors in the Netherlands	We assist American entrepreneurs, but also other foreign investors who are interested in opening a company in the Netherlands.
Reasons to work with us	We are a team of immigration experts who focus on the needs of our clients and can assist in a wide array of matters.

The following video is a summary of the conditions for the DAFT visa:

What is the DAFT visa?

DAFT is short for Dutch American Friendship Treaty, and it is a residence permit granted to American citizens seeking to immigrate to the Netherlands based on self-employment.

There is also a usual self-employment pathway Americans can choose to relocate to the Netherlands; however, the DAFT visa is more convenient.Rolf Peter - Managing Partner, RPS Legal

Who is eligible for a DAFT visa for the Netherlands?

You can apply for a DAFT visa if you are a self-employed American (not an employee of a foreign company):

entrepreneur;
freelancer;
remote worker;
digital nomad;
consultant.

What are the requirements under which I can obtain a DAFT visa?

The most important condition is to set up a business in the Netherlands. It can take the form of a private limited liability company (BV) or a sole proprietorship. Apart from this, you will need to secure a minimum amount of EUR 4,500, which must be directed to the business.

NOTE: You must open a corporate bank account to deposit the EUR 4,500, so we invite you to reach out to our immigration lawyers in the Netherlands for correct guidance when filing for the DAFT visa.

What are the steps to obtain a Dutch DAFT visa?

Through our dedicated services, you will:

go through an initial consultation during which you tell us about your plans, and based on them, we will decide together on the best business form to register (the meeting will be held online);
after the business is registered, we will start the residence permit application process with the Dutch Immigration Authorities.

IMPORTANT! If you are a first-time DAFT applicant, you can also register the company and deposit the minimum amount required AFTER receiving the residence permit, but within a maximum period of 6 months.

Here is also an infographic on this visa:

Do I need to apply for an entry/long-term visa when moving to the Netherlands under the DAFT visa?

No, DAFT visa applicants are exempt from this condition.

What are the documents to prepare for a DAFT visa application?

The following:

valid residence passport;
DAFT visa application form;
criminal record certificate;
valid health insurance;
proof of accommodation;
supporting documents related to the business.

NOTE: There is no business plan requirement to prepare when filing for a DAFT visa; however, the application will include details about the activities and how the applicant will generate income.

How long does it take to obtain a DAFT visa for the Netherlands?

The standard processing time is 90 days.

How can I work as a self-employed individual under the DAFT visa?

The conditions for self-employed persons under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty are the following:

meet the conditions applicable to all self-employed applicants;
have American nationality;
Do business between the Netherlands and the United States or develop and lead a business in the Netherlands (meaning that the person either represents an American company and is employed by that American company in a key position or has a liberal profession).

NOTE: US nationals who wish to work in the Netherlands as self-employed individuals will need to prove that they have the licenses for practicing their profession. This may mean that certain qualifications will need to be recognized and the individual will also need to apply for a certificate of professional competence.

What is the validity of a Dutch DAFT visa? Can it be renewed?

The DAFT visa is issued for 2 years, initially, and yes, it is renewable.

NOTE: The condition for visa renewal is for the business to have continuity in revenue and clients. For this purpose, the Immigration Department will review the enterprise’s annual accounts.

Can I bring family members with me when I apply for a DAFT visa?

Yes, you can bring your spouse/civil partner and minor children.

Am I eligible for permanent residency if I am a DAFT visa holder?

Yes, after 5 years of living here, you can apply for permanent residency or Dutch citizenship.

Can I work remotely for US clients based on a DAFT visa?

Yes, there are no restrictions in this sense.

Can I travel outside the Netherlands as a DAFT visa holder?

Yes, as long as you maintain your main place of residence in the Netherlands, meaning you must live here at least 183 days per year.

For more information on the DAFT visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.