American applicants · Kingdom of the Netherlands
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur for American citizens
Treaty-based self-employment residence for US nationals starting a business in the Netherlands.
This page covers the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur specifically for American applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to United States. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 4 weeks – 3 months
- Government fees
- €508.15
- Typical duration
- Initial 2 years, renewable for 5; leads to permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
- Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)
Consular processing: Amsterdam (IND direct)
Tourist entry vs. this route
Yes — American nationals can enter Kingdom of the Netherlands without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur.
Key figures for American applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Government cost
€508.15
US citizen, arrival + IND + KvK (ignoring the €4,500 maintained equity)
Verified 1 June 2026 · IND — Residence permit for self-employed persons (incl. DAFT) →
How long it takes
4 weeks – 3 months
DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) applications commonly resolve in 4–12 weeks; the IND legal decision period is 90 days.
Verified 1 June 2026 · IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT) →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → PR and citizenship eligibility parallel at 5 years.
Leads to Permanent Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning regulier onbepaalde tijd), then Dutch citizenship.
Visa overview
DAFT is a bilateral treaty allowing US nationals to live in the Netherlands as self-employed business owners with a relatively low capital investment (€4,500 held in the business). The route also extends under equivalent treaties to Japanese nationals (the Dutch-Japanese friendship treaty).
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓US or Japanese nationality.
- ✓€4,500 held in a Dutch business bank account.
- ✓Registration of a Dutch company with the Chamber of Commerce.
Common blockers
- !Non-US/Japanese nationality.
- !Lack of Dutch company registration at application time.
Typical evidence
- ·US or Japanese passport.
- ·KvK registration.
- ·Bank statement showing €4,500.
Application pathway
Register Dutch company
Most DAFT applicants set up as eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) or BV.
Deposit €4,500 in business account
Capital must be retained during the permit.
Apply with IND
DAFT route is self-sponsored.
Live and trade
Renew at year 2; permanent residence option after 5 years.
Not sure Kingdom of the Netherlands is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer entrepreneur routes that American nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are American citizens eligible for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur?+
Eligibility for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur is set by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though American applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area, Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do American applicants typically file the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur?+
Amsterdam (IND direct). Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do American applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of the Netherlands as well?+
Yes — American nationals can enter Kingdom of the Netherlands without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur.
How much does the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur cost for a American applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (US citizen, arrival + IND + KvK (ignoring the €4,500 maintained equity)) total about €508.15. Figures from IND — Residence permit for self-employed persons (incl. DAFT), verified 1 June 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source before budgeting.
How long does the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur take to process from United States?+
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 3 months. American applicants usually file via Amsterdam (IND direct), and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: IND — Self-employed residence (DAFT), verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of the Netherlands?+
Arrival → PR and citizenship eligibility parallel at 5 years. The route leads to Permanent Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning regulier onbepaalde tijd), then Dutch citizenship. See IND — Dutch citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
Is DAFT only for US citizens?+
DAFT itself is for US nationals. Japanese nationals access an equivalent self-employment route under the Dutch-Japanese friendship treaty. Other nationalities fall under the general Dutch self-employment points system, which is more demanding.