Indian applicants · Kingdom of the Netherlands
Startup Visa (Netherlands) for Indian citizens
1-year residence permit for founders working with a recognised Dutch startup facilitator.
This page covers the Startup Visa (Netherlands) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 4 weeks – 3 months
- Government fees
- Around €350 (plus facilitator arrangement costs).
- Typical duration
- 1 year, non-renewable as Startup Visa; transitions to self-employment route.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Startup Visa (Netherlands) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
4 weeks – 3 months
IND decision period is 90 days; facilitator-endorsed applications tend to resolve in 4–8 weeks.
Verified 1 June 2026 · IND — Startup residence permit →
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
The Dutch Startup Visa is a 1-year residence permit for non-EEA founders with an innovative business. Applicants partner with a recognised facilitator (RVO-approved) who provides mentorship and vets the business. After the first year, founders typically switch to the general self-employment route.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Innovative business concept.
- ✓Written agreement with an RVO-recognised facilitator.
- ✓Means of subsistence for 1 year.
Common blockers
- !Business not judged innovative by the facilitator.
- !Facilitator list is relatively short.
Typical evidence
- ·Facilitator agreement.
- ·Business plan.
- ·Funds evidence.
Application pathway
Choose RVO-recognised facilitator
Consult the RVO public list and secure an engagement.
Submit IND application
Facilitator endorses the application.
Travel and build
Operate the business during the 1-year permit.
Transition to self-employment route
After year 1, switch to the standard self-employment permit based on business viability.
Other Kingdom of the Netherlands routes covered for Indian applicants
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.
Orientation year (Zoekjaar)
Free 1-year permit to live and work in the Netherlands while you look for a job — open to recent graduates of Dutch universities or top-ranked global universities. No job offer needed to apply.
EU Blue Card (Netherlands)
Dutch implementation of the EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU workers.
Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor)
Residence permit for partners, spouses, and registered partners of Dutch residents and citizens.
Not sure Kingdom of the Netherlands is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer entrepreneur routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Startup Visa (Netherlands)?+
Eligibility for the Startup Visa (Netherlands) is set by Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Startup Visa (Netherlands)?+
New Delhi / Mumbai. 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 Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of the Netherlands as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Startup Visa (Netherlands) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Startup Visa (Netherlands) take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 3 months. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Mumbai, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: IND — Startup residence permit, 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.
Can the Startup Visa be extended?+
Not as Startup Visa. Founders transition to the standard self-employment route or to Kennismigrant if they take a qualifying employed role.