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Visas/Netherlands/DAFT Treaty Visa

Netherlands · DAFT Treaty Visa · 2026

Netherlands DAFT Visa. Complete document preparation.

Your complete DAFT packet: IND form, document checklist, and a step-by-step post-arrival roadmap.

Check your Netherlands eligibilityBuy now, $399

At a glance

The DAFT Treaty Visa in six lines

Requirements verified against IND.nl and immigration law sources as of March 2026.

Who it’s for
US citizens starting a business in the Netherlands
Investment requirement
€4,500 deposited in a Dutch business bank account
Income requirement
None at initial application (business viability is checked at renewal)
Background check
Antecedents Certificate signed at IND (FBI check not normally required)
Application
In person at IND after arrival in the Netherlands
Processing time
6 to 12 weeks (statutory maximum 90 days)
IND fee
€423 main applicant · €254 spouse · €85 per child
Initial permit
2 years, renewable

What you get for $399

Your complete application packet, pre-filled, matched to your submission, and personalized for your family.

Every document is generated from your answers in our guided wizard. No blank templates. No generic instructions. Your data, mapped to the IND’s form and sequenced for the order things happen after you land.

01
IND Form 7524, pre-filled

The official residence permit application form for DAFT applicants. Pre-filled with your personal data and business information. This is what you submit at your IND appointment.

02
Personalized document checklist

Adjusted for your situation: solo or with family, BV or ZZP business structure. Covers IND documents, Gemeente registration, KvK registration steps, accountant requirements (must be BECON-registered), opening balance sheet preparation, and the €4,500 deposit verification process.

03
Post-arrival step sequence

DAFT unfolds in a specific order after you land: IND appointment, biometrics, passport sticker, municipality registration, BSN number, bank account, business registration, accountant, balance sheet. Includes BSN registration guidance and the apostilled birth certificate you’ll need, flagged well in advance since it takes weeks to obtain.

04
Cost summary

Government fees, estimated accountant costs, business registration fees, and living cost considerations, organized so you know exactly what to budget.

05
Dependent document package (if applicable)

Spouse and child IND applications, additional fees, and, critically for non-US spouses, guidance on the MVV (entry visa) process they must complete separately through a Dutch embassy.

Complete application packet from one wizard session. $399 flat. No per-document fees. No subscription. No waiting for someone to get back to you.

Important: business structure decision. DAFT applicants choose between two Dutch business structures: a ZZP (sole proprietorship, simpler) or a BV (private limited company, more complex but with tax advantages). This decision affects your registration process, tax obligations, and costs. Our wizard walks you through the key differences to help you make an informed choice, though we recommend consulting a Dutch accountant for your specific situation.

What makes DAFT different

A treaty visa, not a points system.

No income requirement at the start.

You need €4,500 in a business account, not a salary. Income requirements kick in at your 2-year renewal.

You apply after arrival.

No consulate appointment, no visa sticker before you fly. You enter as a tourist, apply at IND, and receive a residence endorsement within weeks.

Your spouse can work.

DAFT dependents get broader employment rights than the main applicant. They can take regular Dutch employment, not just self-employment.

No degree required.

No educational qualifications, no Dutch language requirement, no points system. Just US citizenship and €4,500.

Your part

What you’ll still do yourself

We prepare the paperwork. Here’s what only you can handle.

  • Your apostilled birth certificate (order from your birth state; it takes weeks).
  • Booking your flight to the Netherlands.
  • Securing housing (the toughest part; the Dutch rental market is very tight).
  • Your IND appointment.
  • Municipality registration.
  • Opening a Dutch business bank account and depositing €4,500.
  • KvK registration.
  • Hiring a BECON-registered accountant for your opening balance sheet.

Our post-arrival roadmap sequences all of this with estimated timelines. You arrive knowing exactly what to do first.

Who this is for

Good fit, and not a fit.

Good fit
✓US citizens ready to start (or relocate) a business.
✓Comfortable with the entrepreneurial path.
✓Clean criminal record.
✓Able to commit €4,500 plus living expenses for the first months.
Not a fit
—Looking for employment with a Dutch company. That’s a different permit.
—Non-US citizens.
—Unable to meet the investment requirement.
—Previous illegal stay in the Netherlands.

Our free eligibility check catches these before you pay. If your case needs a lawyer, we’ll tell you.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Questions along the way? Vera, our visa support agent, knows your application and can help instantly.

All questions →
Do I need a business plan?
Not for the DAFT application. The IND does not require a business plan or financial projections upfront. However, it’s wise to keep one on file in case of a random audit during the current expedited procedure.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Your spouse and children can apply as dependents. US citizen family members enter on tourist visas like you. Non-US citizen spouses need an MVV (entry visa), a separate process through a Dutch embassy. We flag this in your document package with guidance on next steps.
What happens at the renewal?
The IND checks that your business is viable: the investment still in the account, positive net income, and a minimum monthly earnings level over the qualifying months. Our packet includes guidance on what to prepare for renewal.
How tight is the housing market?
Very. Landlords prefer tenants with Dutch employment contracts, and recent legislation reduced supply significantly. Budget for several months of upfront rent to compete. We flag this early in your preparation timeline.

Ready to start your Netherlands move?

Take the free eligibility assessment, or go straight to the wizard if you already know this is your visa.

Check your Netherlands eligibilityBuy now, $399
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Impossible To Name provides document preparation assistance only. We are not immigration lawyers and do not provide legal advice.

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