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Friendship treaty permit (DAFT) in the Netherlands

The friendship treaty between the Netherlands and the United States — and the similar trade treaty with Japan — exempts citizens of these two countries from the points-based business assessment that is mandatory for all other applicants for the self-employed person’s residence permit. Instead of points, you need to conduct trade between the countries, direct a business in the Netherlands or invest substantial capital in it.

Visa term
A maximum of 2 years.
Processing time
The IND must take a decision within 90 days.

Source: IND — Immigration and Naturalisation Service of the Netherlands

Who is eligible

The DAFT regime has no separate official page — the conditions are set out in the section on essential interest to the Dutch economy on the IND page about the self-employed person’s permit. The section opens up when you select US or Japanese citizenship in the form on that page.

General conditions

  • US or Japanese citizenship
  • Compliance with the general requirements that apply to all applicants for a residence permit
  • Registration of the enterprise in the trade register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK)

One of three types of activity

  • Trade between the Netherlands and the United States or Japan
  • Directing and developing a business in the Netherlands: representing a US or Japanese company in a key position, or practising a liberal profession (other than working for the government or in healthcare)
  • Investing substantial capital in your own business

What it costs

Minimum investment in the business (for most legal forms)4 500 EUR
Fee for assessing the application423 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.4 923 EUR

Documents to gather

For applicants who do not need an MVV visa (US and Japanese citizens usually apply via this route):

  • A completed application form for the self-employed person’s permit (the form is available in English only)
  • Foreign official documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German
  • Proof of registration in the trade register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK)

How the process runs

The filing procedure for applicants without an MVV visa, per the “Process and costs” section on the IND page:

  1. 1

    Checking the requirements

    Make sure you meet the general requirements and the conditions of the Friendship Treaty (DAFT) or the trade treaty with Japan.

  2. 2

    Collecting the documents

    Complete the application form and prepare legalised and translated foreign official documents.

  3. 3

    Filing the application

    The application is filed in writing by post within 3 months of moving to the Netherlands.

  4. 4

    Paying the fee

    The fee for assessing the application is EUR 423.

  5. 5

    Waiting for the decision

    90 days, may be extended to 6 months

    The IND must take a decision within 90 days; the period may be extended to a maximum of 6 months if an opinion is requested from the RVO or the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

  6. 6

    The decision on the application

    The decision arrives by letter, usually via Zivver. If the decision is positive, the residence permit is issued; if it is negative, you can lodge an objection or appeal.

  7. 7

    Collecting the residence permit

    The document is collected by prior appointment at an IND office.

Timelines and rights

Work

Self-employment is allowed. Paid employment requires a work permit; after 5 years of work in the Netherlands the “free to work” status opens up.

Renewal and the grace period

When a friendship treaty permit is extended, the IND asks for the annual accounts and a balance sheet or profit and loss account — this confirms that the business remained active and that the invested capital was not withdrawn from the enterprise. On a first application (where there is not yet a Dutch residence permit) you must register in the KVK trade register and make the investment within 6 months of receiving the residence permit — otherwise the IND may withdraw it. After 5 years of residence in the Netherlands with a residence permit you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Frequently asked questions about Friendship treaty permit (DAFT)

Who can obtain a residence permit under the friendship treaty (DAFT)?
Citizens of the United States or Japan who trade between the Netherlands and their country of citizenship, who direct and develop a business in the Netherlands (as a company representative in a key position or in a liberal profession, other than working for the government or in healthcare), or who invest substantial capital in their own enterprise. You must also meet the general requirements that apply to all applicants and be registered in the trade register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce.
How much do you have to invest in the business and how much does filing cost?
For most legal forms the IND requires a minimum investment of EUR 4,500. The fee for assessing the application is EUR 423.
How long does the IND take to assess the application?
The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This period may be extended to a maximum of 6 months if the IND requests an opinion from the RVO or the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).
How long is the residence permit issued for and what happens next?
The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years. On extension the IND checks the annual accounts of the business and confirmation that the invested capital has remained in the enterprise. After 5 years of residence in the Netherlands with a residence permit you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
How does DAFT differ from the ordinary self-employed person’s permit (Zelfstandige)?
An ordinary applicant for the self-employed person’s permit has to have the business assessed by the RVO under a points system — a minimum of 30 points in each of the three sections (personal experience, business plan, benefit for the economy) or 45 points for personal experience and 45 for the business plan. Citizens of the United States and Japan are exempt from this system under the friendship treaty: instead of points it is enough to conduct trade between the countries, direct a business in the Netherlands or invest substantial capital in it.
Can I take paid employment with this residence permit rather than only working for myself?
Self-employment is allowed without restriction. For paid employment the employer has to obtain a separate work permit (TWV). After 5 years of work in the Netherlands a work permit is no longer required — the “free to work” status opens up.
Can a family member who moved with the applicant work in the Netherlands?
Yes. Unlike the applicant, the applicant’s family members have a work status on their residence permit stating “work permitted, work permit (TWV) not required” — that is, they can take paid employment without the restriction that applies to the DAFT permit holder themselves.

Other ways to move to Netherlands

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Netherlands.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.