Kingdom of the Netherlands · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Startup Visa (Netherlands)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
1-year residence permit for founders working with a recognised Dutch startup facilitator.
- Processing time
- Around 3 months including facilitator vetting.
- 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
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.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian founders use the Startup Visa as the typical route into the Dutch entrepreneurship ecosystem (DAFT being closed t…
Brazilian applicants
Brazilian founders increasingly use the Startup Visa, particularly fintech and SaaS founders pivoting from the Brazilian…
Russian applicants
Russian founders relocating post-2022 use the Startup Visa as a credible Dutch entry route, particularly tech and B2B Sa…
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.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorApply for start-up permit ↗
Founders and facilitators use this IND page to confirm documents and access the start-up application form.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Around €350 (plus facilitator arrangement costs).. A decision then typically takes 4 weeks – 3 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
What do I need to qualify for the Dutch Startup Visa?+
You need an innovative business concept, a written agreement with an RVO-recognised facilitator, and proof of means of subsistence for 1 year. A common reason applications fail is that the business is not judged innovative by the facilitator. Confirm requirements on the official IND page.
How long does the Dutch Startup Visa take to process and what does it cost?+
Processing takes around 3 months because the timeline includes the facilitator vetting your business. The government fee is around 350 euros, plus separate facilitator arrangement costs. Confirm current figures on the official IND page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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