ACCESS NL > Relocating to the Netherlands > Legal matters in the Netherlands > Immigration in the Netherlands > Can I get a permanent visa for the Netherlands under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)?

Immigration in the Netherlands

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Do I need a residence permit to live and/or work in the Netherlands?

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than three months and you are not an EU/EEA or Switzerland citizen, you need to apply for a verblijfsvergunning (residence permit).

To obtain a residence permit, you will need to contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND). Please note that the requirements for a residence permit are dependent on your personal situation and circumstances. You will also find details on: ind.nl/en/stay-or-live-in-the-Netherlands.

Diplomats and international organisations’ employees obtain a special residence document, which is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken). These are for people who are working on Dutch soil as a diplomatic or consular official, or who are employed at an international organisation. They enjoy a special ‘privileged’ status, are not considered foreigners under the auspices of the vreemdelingenwet (immigration law) and are entitled to a special residency status by law. Check out the protocol guide for international organisations published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Do I need a work permit in the Netherlands?

Whether you need a work permit depends on your residency status and nationality. Dutch work and residence permits are closely linked so your reason for moving to the Netherlands – for example, as a highly skilled worker, employee, student or family member – will determine what kind of permit you need to legally work in The Netherlands. More information can be found on the section ‘Work permits‘ of the ACCESS FAQ’s.

What is the Civic Integration Act and who does it apply to?

The Civic Integration Act stipulates that most people from non-EU countries who immigrate to the Netherlands and live in the Netherlands must learn Dutch and understand how the Dutch society works. This is referred to as inburgering (civic integration). The aim of the Dutch integration policy is to have everyone in the Netherlands, including newcomers, feel a sense of community with each other and involvement with the Netherlands. The government wants people who settle in the Netherlands to take part in Dutch society regardless of where they come from or what they believe in.

The requirements and exemptions for taking the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration examination) are amended on regular basis, you should always check the latest information provided on www.inburgeren.nl/en.

For more information about this topic visit the ACCESS FAQ’s Learning Dutch for civic integration.

I would like to move to the Netherlands. What are the requirements?

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.

I heard about a Dutch American Friendship (DAFT) treaty. What does that include??

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.

What are the requirements to get a Dutch visa under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)?

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.

Can I get a permanent visa for the Netherlands under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)?

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.

What is the process of getting a Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa?

* 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.

Getting married in the Netherlands

View the FAQ’s

Divorce in the Netherlands

View the FAQ’s

Netherlands death registration

View the FAQ’s

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