Netherlands DAFT Self-Employment Permit (2 years, renewable)for 🇯🇵 Japanese citizens travelling to 🇳🇱 Netherlands

📋Required Documents11

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  Valid US passport (the DAFT treaty applies to US citizens only; no MVV entry visa needed)
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  IND application form for residence as a self-employed person under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
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  Proof of at least EUR 4,500 invested in the business and held in a dedicated Dutch business bank account
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  Opening balance sheet (openingsbalans) prepared or certified by a Dutch accountant or bookkeeper evidencing the EUR 4,500 equity
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  KvK (Chamber of Commerce) registration extract for your eenmanszaak or BV
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  Short business plan describing services, clients and projected income
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  Proof of business address or registered office in the Netherlands
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  IND application fee (around EUR 405; check the current fee table)
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  Antecedents declaration (no criminal record statement)
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  After approval: register with your municipality for a BSN and take out Dutch health insurance within 4 months
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  Permit is granted for 2 years and is renewable as long as the EUR 4,500 stays in the business

ℹ️What to Expect

This Netherlands DAFT Self-Employment Permit (2 years, renewable) is not open to Japanese citizens — eligibility is limited to specific nationalities or applicant profiles. You do not need to apply for this program; instead, review the other Netherlands visa options below to find a route you qualify for. Always verify current requirements with the Netherlands embassy or official government website before booking travel.

🌐Why Japanese passport holders need a visa for Netherlands

This particular Netherlands visa program is not available to Japanese passport holders — its eligibility rules restrict it to certain nationalities or applicant categories (for example, a treaty-based route open only to specific countries). This is a program-level limitation, not a ban on Japanese citizens entering Netherlands; other visa routes are typically available.

⚠️Common Reasons Netherlands DAFT Self-Employment Permit (2 years, renewable) Applications Are Refused6

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  The applicant is not a national of the United States or Japan — the DAFT/Japan-treaty route is restricted to those nationalities.
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  Less than the required business capital (at least €4,500) genuinely invested and available in the Dutch company’s business account.
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  A business plan or self-employment activity that is not judged genuine, viable or actually being carried out in the Netherlands.
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  No registration of the business with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK), or missing accountant’s statement evidencing the capital.
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  An incomplete or inconsistent file, or a passport with insufficient validity.
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  A relevant criminal record, a prior overstay or immigration ban, or false statements or forged documents.

Refusal grounds are at the discretion of the deciding officer and can change. This list is informational — always verify current requirements at the official government portal.

🔗More Netherlands Visa Options

• Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant Permit (up to 5 years) →
• Netherlands Orientation Year / Zoekjaar (1 year) →
• Netherlands Schengen Type C Visa (up to 90 days) →