Netherlands DAFT guide

The basics

The IND fees page lists the residence permit for work as a self-employed person, including under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty. The IND's self-employed permit page is an online questionnaire: it asks for your nationality and whether you hold or recently held a Dutch residence permit, then shows the information that applies to you.

Validity

Not stated by the IND pages reviewed.

Stay per entry

Not stated by the IND pages reviewed.

Where you apply

With the IND (ind.nl). The IND's self-employed permit page directs applicants to its online questions.

Fee

EUR 423 for a first application and for an extension, per the IND fees page.

Who it's for

The IND names the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty and the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty as routes to a self-employed residence permit. Which nationalities qualify, and under which conditions, is not stated in the IND pages reviewed. The IND's online questionnaire starts from your nationality.

How to apply

Sources reviewed do not set out the application steps. The IND's self-employed permit page (last updated 23 September 2026) asks your nationality and your Dutch residence permit history, then shows the information for your situation. The fee is paid to the IND.

Documents

The IND's proof-of-income appendix states that, for someone self-employed under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty, documentary evidence is needed that you have invested a substantial capital in your company or enterprise.

• Sole proprietorship, general partnership (VOF), limited partnership (CV) or private limited company (BV): a minimum capital of EUR 4,500.
• Public limited company (NV): a capital investment of at least EUR 11,250.
• Sources reviewed do not list the other documents for this route. Check the IND's online information for your nationality.

Stay and extensions

The IND fees page lists the same fee, EUR 423, for an extension. Sources reviewed do not state the permit's validity or extension conditions.

Things to confirm

• Whether your nationality qualifies for the treaty route, using the IND's online information.
• The permit's validity and the conditions for extending it.
• The other documents the IND requires for a self-employed permit, such as a business plan.
• Whether you need a provisional residence permit (MVV) to enter, and where to apply from your country.
• Processing times. Sources reviewed do not state them.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.