Netherlands self-employment: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Active
Evidence and datesThe Dutch-American Friendship Treaty is a self-employment residence path for US nationals meeting the treaty and general conditions. IND distinguishes it from ordinary points-tested self-employment and start-up permission. Ownership of a company alone does not establish residence or unrestricted employment rights.
Evidence and datesOnly source-checked fields are shown as facts. “Not verified” means we have not established that field from current evidence; it does not mean zero, no, or ineligible.
Requirements and important conditions
Use the IND application form’s document list, passport and general-condition evidence, the treaty business basis and investment/registration evidence. Foreign official documents need the indicated legalisation and translation. For a first treaty application without a Dutch permit, IND allows business registration and investment within six months from the date on the decision letter.
Evidence and datesThe American branch describes postal application within three months after arrival and later permit collection by appointment. Verify lawful entry and individual filing circumstances before travel. The permit is valid up to two years; extension needs annual accounts and evidence the capital remained invested. Self-employment is permitted, but work for an employer requires the appropriate work permit. Confirm family, registration, insurance and any future permanent-residence conditions separately.
Evidence and datesConditional financial requirements
Use one option only when all its conditions apply. Within that option, every listed requirement must be met together.
Incomplete coverage: these options are not a complete list of the programme's financial requirements.
Treaty investment for most business forms1 financial requirement · conditions and sources
Applies when:
- US nationality and all applicable treaty/general conditions; amount depends on legal business form; maintain invested capital
All of the following are required:
- capital: at least EUR 4,500 one-offSource
Requirement conditions:
- US nationality and all applicable treaty/general conditions; amount depends on legal business form; maintain invested capital
No single comparable figure recorded for: processing time, annual permit presence, tax treatment. Check the conditions above and the cited official sources.
Interested in Netherlands self-employment: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty?
Use the reviewed evidence to prepare questions for the authority or an adviser. A research shortlist is not an eligibility decision.
Evidence and review method
Automated primary-source check by Codex on 29 Oct 2026.
This automated source check is not a human editorial or legal review.
Review scope: Programme status, Programme name, Programme category, Official application information, Overview, Financial summary, Eligibility requirements, Practical application guide and conditions, Conditional financial requirements.
Source retrieval, the review recorded here and the date a rule takes effect are separate events. The stated scope covers only the listed fields.
Programme status
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Financial summary
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Conditional financial requirements
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Eligibility requirements
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Overview
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Practical application guide and conditions
Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Evidence dates and supporting passage
- Evidence type:
- Official guidance
- Source checked:
- 29 Oct 2026
- Check method:
- Automated primary-source check; not a human review
Supporting passage or location: Visible American (USA) branch: Requirements of DAFT; first-time/extension process; Process and costs expanded; The residence permit, work conditions and validity
Review dates, source checks and legal effective dates describe different things. Confirm the applicable rules for your circumstances before acting.