Japanese citizens moving to Kingdom of the Netherlands
Japanese nationals access the Dutch self-employment route under the Dutch-Japanese Friendship Treaty (a parallel to DAFT) with similarly lenient capital requirements. Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) also common for corporate transfers.
Tourist entry
Yes. Japanese nationals can enter Kingdom of the Netherlands without a visa for tourism, typically up to 90 days. This does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: Tokyo
Treaty and bilateral routes
These routes are available to Japanese applicants under specific bilateral agreements.
All Kingdom of the Netherlands routes
Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
Primary sponsored work route for high-skill workers hired by IND-recognised sponsors.
Orientation year (Zoekjaar)
Unrestricted 1-year residence permit for recent graduates of Dutch or top-ranked international universities.
EU Blue Card (Netherlands)
Dutch implementation of the EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU workers.
Startup Visa (Netherlands)
1-year residence permit for founders working with a recognised Dutch startup facilitator.
Dutch Student residence permit
Study residence for international students enrolled at Dutch higher-education institutions.
Partner residence (Dutch national or resident sponsor)
Residence permit for partners, spouses, and registered partners of Dutch residents and citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Can Japanese citizens enter Kingdom of the Netherlands without a visa?
Yes. Japanese nationals can enter Kingdom of the Netherlands without a visa for tourism, typically up to 90 days. This does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Which Kingdom of the Netherlands visa routes are best suited to Japanese applicants?
Treaty routes (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur) apply specifically to Japanese nationals. Japanese nationals access the Dutch self-employment route under the Dutch-Japanese Friendship Treaty (a parallel to DAFT) with similarly lenient capital requirements. Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) also common for corporate transfers.
Where do Japanese applicants typically apply for a Kingdom of the Netherlands visa?
Applications are typically processed at Tokyo. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Kingdom of the Netherlands's immigration authority without a consular visit.