The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), signed in 1956, grants US nationals preferential access to the Dutch labour market as self-employed entrepreneurs. The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) issues a dedicated residence permit under the treaty that bypasses the standard points-based self-employment test.
To qualify, the applicant must be a US citizen, register a business with the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), and maintain a minimum business equity of 4,500 euros held in a Dutch business bank account. The business can be a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak), a partnership, or a BV in which the applicant holds at least twenty-five per cent of the shares. There is no industry or innovation requirement, which makes the route popular with consultants, freelancers, and small-business founders.
The DAFT permit is valid for two years and renewable for five-year periods, provided the business remains active and the minimum capital is maintained. Family members can apply for dependent permits under the standard family-reunification rules.