* once you are certain that you meet the requirements and have assembled the necessary documents, you need to choose a business type. You can find an overview of business types on  https://access-nl.org/dual-careers-netherlands/starting-a-business/legal-business-structures/how-can-i-choose-the-legal-form-or-business-structure-for-my-company/#questions-8511

* you need to make an appointment with the immigration authorities (IND). See https://ind.nl/en/service-contact/make-an-appointment-with-the-ind about how to contact them. You will obtain a sticker in your passport as proof you are allowed stay  in the Netherlands during the procedure. This is a residence endorsement sticker  (verblijfssticker). You are now allowed to live and work in the Netherlands until a decision regarding your DAFT visa has been made.

 

* make another appointment with the IND for taking a photo, your fingerprints and your signature. You can do so on the website of the government.

* register with the municipality where you are going to live and obtain a citizen service number (BSN).

* open a bank account . You can find more information about how you need to do this in our FAQ about banking . Transfer at least €4,500 to your bank account.

* register your business at the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel,  KvK)

* make an appointment with an accountant or bookkeeper who has a so-called BECON number. A BECON number is a registration number with the tax authorities for fiscal professionals.  file the remaining documents such as proof of your investment and registration with the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel,  KvK).  If necessary,  check with the IND which documents they still need.

You can follow the steps on the website of the government.

 

 

When you have been in the Netherlands for five years,  you can apply for a permanent visa. A visa under the DAFT is initially valid for two years. If you still meet the requirements,  you can renew it.

In order to get a Dutch visa under the DAFT, you need to fit the following requirements:

* you are an entrepreneur (freelance included). There are no requirements regarding the kind of business or customers

* you have an U.S. passport

* you have to invest at least €4,500  of starting capital into your business in the Netherlands

* you have original and certified birth certificates  both for you and family members that you bring to the Netherlands.

* you do not have a criminal record in the Netherlands

A full list of requirements is available on the website of the government.

The Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) encourages commercial, cultural and economic cooperation between the US and the Netherlands, providing American entrepreneurs and investors with an easier route to a Dutch residence permit.

I would like to move to the Netherlands. How can I arrange that?

If you want to live in the Netherlands you have to fit several requirements:

• You have the nationality of an EU/EEA country
• If you do not have the nationality of an EU/EEA country, you must apply for a residence permit with the Immigration authorities (IND).  On the website of the IND you can read which conditions must be met in order to obtain a residence permit.