Netherlands DAFT Treaty Visa

1. Residence permit24 months
2. Renew60 months at a time
3. Permanent residencyafter 5 years
4. Citizenshipafter 5 years

• Permanent residency 5 years
• Citizenship 5 years
• Dual citizenship not allowed
• Language required for citizenship A2

Country

Netherlands

Program

Netherlands DAFT Treaty Visa

Local name

Nederlands-Amerikaans Vriendschapsverdrag

Type

Freelancer

Status

Active

Initial duration

24 months

Renewable

Yes (60 mo)

Self-employment residence permit for United States citizens under the 1956 Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. The points test for other self-employed applicants does not apply. For most company forms the IND uses a minimum of €4,500 of capital in the business.

Savings required

$5,175

Application fee

$487

Tax regime

Worldwide

Regime name

Progressive income tax up to 49.5%

Foreign income taxed

Yes

Capital gains taxed

Yes

Method

embassy, in country

Processing time

Up to 90 days

Apply from abroad

Yes

United States nationality is required. The same permit exists for Japanese nationals under a separate treaty, in its own record. The applicant trades between the Netherlands and the United States, or develops and leads a Dutch business: a key position representing a US company, an independent profession outside government and healthcare, or a substantial capital investment. The IND minimum is €4,500 for a sole proprietorship. A general partnership, a managing partner in a limited partnership, and a private limited company need at least 25 percent of the capital and at least €4,500. A public limited company needs at least 25 percent of paid-up capital, and Dutch law sets that capital at a minimum of €45,000, so the treaty floor is €11,250. Borrowed capital does not count. The IND can withdraw the permit if capital falls below the floor for that company form. The stored $5,175 is an earlier conversion of €4,500. At the ECB rate on 9 October 2026, €1 = $1.1206, €4,500 is about $5,043. The drift is under 10 percent, so the stored dollar figure stays. A first treaty application by someone who does not yet have a Dutch residence permit must complete Chamber of Commerce registration and the investment within six months after the decision. A change of purpose should include the evidence with the application. An extension needs annual accounts and a balance sheet or income statement showing that the company was active and the capital remained. The profit norm of €1,766.77 a month does not replace this capital test. The first permit is at most two years. Each extension is at most five years. The fee on or after 1 January 2026 is €423, stored as $487, within 10 percent of $474 at the 9 October rate. A partner's application is €254, stored as $292. A child under 18 is €85. The decision period is 90 days, and the IND can add up to six months when it asks another authority for advice. United States citizens may apply in the Netherlands without an MVV. Paid employment needs a work permit. The card authorises the self-employment. Family members' cards allow work without a work permit. Permanent residence and naturalisation are five years. Naturalisation needs A2 Dutch, and adults ordinarily renounce the other nationality.

• Self-Employed Residence Permitdigital nomad visa

1. Oct 10, 2026
   • Official page https://ind.nl/en https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-self-employed-person

   local name set to the treaty name in the Aliens Circular. Capital of €4,500 confirmed, with €11,250 for an nv. Dollar conversions of €4,500, €423 and €254 were left because each is within 10 percent of the 9 October 2026 ECB rate (https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2024-19096.html).