A residence permit as 'start-up' gives ambitious starters the opportunity to set-up or scale-up innovative company in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Point of Entry provides the information and services you need to accelerate the process.
The Dutch Startup Visa is the fast-track program that makes it possible for ambitious entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit for the Netherlands.
The following conditions apply for setting up your business in the Netherlands:
To apply for a residence permit, you need to be sponsored by an experienced facilitator and register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kvk). Complete your business plan together.
Register your application at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The costs to process your application include a one-time fee.
Self-employed people and freelancers can get this visa provided that their work – the product or services they offer – is innovative and useful to the Dutch economy. This “essential interest” is assessed with a three-part scoring system that looks at education and work experience, the business plan and added value for the Netherlands (such as innovation, creating jobs, investments). Freelancers must have at least one commission in the Netherlands.
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One of the conditions for the start-up residence permit is working together with a business mentor: a facilitator. This cooperation must be laid down in a (signed) agreement between the start-up entrepreneur and the facilitator. The facilitator provides the start-up entrepreneur with a tailor-made package of support depending on the specific needs of the start-up entrepreneur. The facilitator may, for example, help with operational management, marketing, research and investing acquisition for setting up an innovative business
