About The Visa
The DAFT Visa also known as the (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) Visa is arguably. This visa the easiest path for Americans to live in Europe, specifically the Netherlands. It allows Americans to freelance and/or form a business in the Netherlands, and of course live there while doing so. You can also bring your partner and family over doing so! Many Americans want to move to Europe believing it is hard. They simply don’t understand how easy the requirements can be! Japanese citizens may also do a similar visa called the Japanese-Dutch Trade Agreement!
Requirements
The requirements are minimum with less than €500 in application fees and just €4500 to put into a business savings account! No prior income records required and only other easily attainable records needed! Paperwork required include apostilled birth certificate, a valid passport and filling the application form. A (one page) business plan is not required but strongly recommended(as there are real people looking over your application!) As long as you are an American or Japanese citizen, with none or minimum criminal records, you are good to go! Once there, you need to register as a freelancer or form a corporation. Preferably sooner rather than later, have a rental lease or even property to solidify your visa stay.
Finding Work
While the DAFT is a freelance/business visa, do not be afraid of finding work. There are many paths for diferent skillsets and circumstances to find work on the DAFT as an entrepeneur or towards full employment, directly or indirectly. Click here to read about some of the best methods. Alternatively, you can book a call here to discuss your options as an American or Japanese citizen.
History
The treaty was originally created in 1956 to foster economic cooperation between the USA and The Netherlands. Today Americans can easily use it to begin a whole new life in the Netherlands! The Japanese equivalent was started partially as a result of over 400+ years of Japanese and Dutch formal relations.
Bringing over Your Significant Other/Family
Furthermore, The DAFT Visa allows you to bring over your significant other, married or not! As well as any dependent children. The visa even grants your significant other with full working rights! Yes, that would mean your partner ironically will have more working rights than you.
A pathway to E.U. Permanent Residency & Dutch Citizenship!
The DAFT is also one of the easiest ways to EU Permanent Residency or even Dutch Citizenship! After 5-6 years, continuously on the DAFT or other visas, you can apply for Dutch Permanent Residency, EU Permanent Residency or Dutch Citizenship. A warning for getting Dutch citizenship is that you must renounce other citizenships before getting a Dutch citizenship unless you marry a Dutch citizen.