DAFT Is DIY: What You Actually Need (and What You Don’t)

If you are an American moving to the Netherlands, DAFT can be one of the most approachable ways to get residence as a self-employed person. The problem is not that the process is impossible. The problem is that it is easy to feel lost, and it is easy for the wrong people to monetize that feeling.

This article is a practical, sourced walkthrough of what is actually required, what is optional, and what you should treat as a red flag. My goal is simple: you should be able to DIY this with confidence, using official sources and a clean checklist.

Scope note: Educational information only. Expat Advisory provides planning, education, and coordination. We do not provide legal services, file applications on your behalf, file taxes, or execute investment transactions.

Start with the official checklist, not a random blog post.

Build a clean file, so you are not recreating paperwork under stress.

Pay for help only when it is real help, with defined deliverables.

TL;DR

  • Your best DAFT checklist is the IND itself. Start with the IND “Residence permit self-employed person” page and the application form that applies to your situation.
  • The IND describes the DAFT requirements, including “substantial capital.” For most business forms, the IND states a minimum investment of €4,500.
  • The written application form for self-employed work includes a specific DAFT section and a concrete list of evidence to enclose, including a requirement that financial supporting documents are checked by an authorized independent external expert.
  • Most paid “full-service” offers are not needed. What you need is sequencing, document hygiene, and a calm pre-submit audit.
  • If you want one place to start: use our DAFT Resources Hub (DIY Guide, DIY Companion, tools, and calculators).

In this article

What DAFT actually means

DAFT is shorthand for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty route. Practically, it shows up inside the IND’s process for a residence permit “to work on a self-employed basis.” That framing matters because it keeps you anchored to the source of truth.

On the IND’s self-employed permit page, there is a specific treaty section for DAFT. It lists baseline requirements and makes something very clear: eligibility is about your nationality and what you will do in the Netherlands, not about hiring a gatekeeper.

  • You have U.S. nationality.
  • You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
  • One of the treaty situations applies to you (for example trade, developing and leading business operations, practicing an independent profession in the permitted categories, or investing substantial capital).
  • If you qualify through substantial capital, the IND notes that the amount depends on your business form and that for most forms the minimum investment is €4,500.

When people say “DAFT visa,” they are usually describing a bundle of steps: the IND application, Dutch registration and administration, and the business setup that makes your residence make sense in the real world. The IND part is the legal gate. The admin and business part is the system you live inside after approval.

Most confusion comes from mixing these layers together. Someone tells you, “You need help with DAFT,” and that sounds like a legal necessity. Often it is not. Often you need a project plan, a clean set of documents, and a realistic timeline.

Helpful reframe: DAFT is not a mystery. It is an administrative project. Treat it like one, and you will be calmer and faster.

Your real checklist: IND page + IND form

If you take only one thing from this article, take this: your checklist should come from the IND, not from marketing, forums, or consultants.

Start with the IND page for the residence permit self-employed person. It lays out requirements, process steps, costs, and the application forms. It also includes a section for the treaty route, including DAFT, and describes “substantial capital” and how the IND processes treaty applications. Read it slowly and save it as your baseline.

Important: the IND explicitly tells you to collect all documents before you apply, and it notes that official foreign documents may need to be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German. Build that time into your plan.

Next, download the correct application form. This is where a lot of people go wrong because there are different forms depending on where you are located when you apply:

  • If you are in the Netherlands and you can apply without an MVV, the IND uses a written form for “to work on a self-employed basis” (form 7524).
  • If you are outside the Netherlands and applying from abroad, the IND uses a different written form for admission and residence as a self-employed person (form 9531). This is submitted via the Dutch embassy or consulate, and the process includes an appointment.

The forms are not just paperwork. They contain the evidence list. They also contain the wording the IND expects. When someone sells you a “DAFT checklist,” check whether it matches the IND form line-by-line. If it does not, it is noise.

Pro tip: build your submission pack by walking through the IND form and creating a folder for each evidence item. If you cannot point to a folder for every requirement, you are not done.

What you actually need for a DAFT file

A clean DAFT application is not about having “more documents.” It is about having the right documents, presented clearly, and consistent across forms, bank statements, and registrations.

The exact evidence depends on your situation, but for most applicants the core categories look like this:

1) Identity and baseline documents

  • Valid passport copy and any required pages as described by the IND form
  • Biometrics requirements and how you will complete them (depends on the path you take)
  • Antecedents certificate where applicable
  • Translations and legalization for any official foreign documents, if required

2) Your DAFT business footprint

  • Trade Register (KvK) registration or number (depending on where you are in the process)
  • Business form specifics (sole trader vs partnership vs BV/NV)
  • Evidence that your role fits the treaty requirements (you lead the business operations, or you are investing substantial capital, etc.)

3) Money and financial evidence

  • Business bank statement(s) that show the company name and the capital invested
  • Opening balance sheet or equivalent, depending on business form
  • Supporting financial documents prepared cleanly and consistently
  • Where required by the IND form, proof that your financial supporting documents have been checked by an authorized independent external expert (for example a chartered accountant, bookkeeper, or financial advisor)

4) Evidence packaging and consistency

  • A submission pack that maps directly to the IND evidence list
  • Clear filenames (date, document type, your name, and business name)
  • One master PDF index so you can find anything in seconds
  • Consistency check across passport name, KvK registration, bank statement name, and the application form

If you want a DAFT-specific anchor point, open the IND written application form and find the treaty checkbox for “Self-employed, based upon the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.” In that section, the form spells out what the IND expects you to enclose, including these practical items:

  • A proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce that is not older than three months, or your Chamber of Commerce number filled into the form.
  • A business bank account statement that shows the name of the company and the capital invested.
  • Depending on your business form: an opening balance sheet, and in some cases a deed of formation or deed of incorporation.
  • A requirement that financial supporting documents have been checked by an “authorized independent external expert” (the form gives examples like a chartered accountant, bookkeeper, or financial advisor).

If you want the short version: the IND does not reward chaos. It rewards a clean, coherent file that matches the list and tells one story.

Where people get burned: they collect documents randomly. Then, near submission, they realize nothing matches and they rebuild everything in a panic. The fix is simple. Build the file the way the IND form is structured from day one.

Substantial capital and the €4,500 question

People talk about “the €4,500 requirement” like it is a rumor. It is not. The IND’s treaty section explains that one way to qualify is by investing substantial capital, and it notes that for most business forms the IND requires a minimum investment of €4,500. The IND also states that the level depends on the form of your business, so you should always confirm against the IND page and rules.

The practical problem is not the number. The practical problem is proving it cleanly. In real life, “I have the money” and “the IND can verify the capital invested in my business from the documents I submitted” are different things.

Think of the proof like a trail:

  • Where the funds came from (your personal account, savings, etc.)
  • How the funds moved into the business (transfer, deposit, capital contribution)
  • Where the funds sit now (business bank statement showing company name and invested capital)
  • How the funds are reflected in your opening balance sheet or financial statement

You do not need to overcomplicate this. You do need to keep it consistent. If your bank statement shows the amount but your business name is missing, that is a problem. If your opening balance does not align with the statement, that is a problem. If your file has multiple versions of the story, that is a problem.

Common DIY mistake: people move money around late, then do not keep a clean record of what happened and why. Make one transfer, label it clearly, and archive the confirmation.

If you want the “grown-up” version of this advice: your DAFT file should be readable by someone who did not live in your head for the last three months. Your future self should be able to understand it too.

One more practical point that many people miss: when you extend a treaty-based permit, the IND states it will want annual accounts plus a balance sheet or income statement. The goal is to confirm that the company has been active and that the invested capital stayed in the business. Plan for that from day one by keeping clean records.

If you want help building a clean, documented money system for the move and business setup, our Financial Advisory exists for exactly that reason. It is not required for DAFT, but it can remove a lot of avoidable stress.

Timeline: two paths (apply from NL vs apply from abroad)

DAFT confusion usually spikes when people realize there are two practical paths: applying while you are in the Netherlands (if you are eligible to do so without an MVV) versus applying from abroad through a Dutch embassy or consulate. The IND explains both paths on the self-employed permit page, including steps and deadlines. Use that as your ground truth, then build your own timeline on top of it.

Path A: You are in the Netherlands and can apply without an MVV

If you can apply from within the Netherlands, you are typically using the written application form for “to work on a self-employed basis” and submitting in writing. The IND’s process section notes that, in this path, you submit the application within a time window after traveling to the Netherlands. That is one reason you do not want to arrive without a plan.

The IND’s process section currently states that this written application is submitted in writing by post, and that you do this within 3 months after you have travelled to the Netherlands. Always verify the latest wording on the IND page, but treat the timeline as real.

  • Step 1: Confirm you meet the treaty requirements and general requirements on the IND page.
  • Step 2: Download the correct form and treat it as your evidence index.
  • Step 3: Build your submission pack and do a pre-submit audit (see below).
  • Step 4: Submit the application and follow IND instructions for payment.
  • Step 5: Wait for decision and respond quickly if the IND asks for additional evidence.
  • Step 6: If approved, you will collect the residence document at an IND desk, by appointment.

Desk reality: the “IND desk” is not a metaphor. The process includes appointments and specific collection steps. People who ignore this are the same people who end up paying someone else to fix scheduling issues that were predictable.

Path B: You apply from abroad through an embassy or consulate

If you apply from abroad, the IND outlines an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate, then sending the application to the IND within the stated deadline after that appointment. This path has more moving pieces because it involves an external office, your travel timing, and shipment deadlines.

According to the IND process steps, after the embassy or consulate appointment you send your application to the IND in the Netherlands within 3 weeks of the application date stated on your form. The IND also describes a payment timeline tied to that same date. This is why this path rewards planning and punishes “I will figure it out later.”

  • Step 1: Make the embassy or consulate appointment and prepare the form, passport, and any extra documents the IND form requires for your situation.
  • Step 2: Attend the appointment. The embassy or consulate registers your application and may take biometrics as described by the IND.
  • Step 3: Send the application to the IND in the Netherlands within the deadline stated by the IND process instructions.
  • Step 4: Pay the fee as instructed, within the applicable period.
  • Step 5: Wait for the IND decision. The IND describes the decision period and possible extensions on its page.
  • Step 6: If approved, you follow the IND steps for the MVV sticker (if applicable) and travel, then collect the residence document in the Netherlands.

Why people miss deadlines: they treat the embassy appointment like “submission day.” It is not. It is one step in a chain. The chain has a send-to-IND deadline after the appointment and a payment timeline. Plan it like a project.

Costs and timing: the IND currently lists the self-employed application fee as €423 and states a decision period of 90 days. It also notes the decision period can be extended by up to 6 months when advice is requested from RVO or OCW. Always confirm the latest numbers on the IND page and fees page.

If you indicated you will take a tuberculosis test, the IND instructs you to make an appointment with the public health service (GGD) within 3 months after you receive your residence permit. Whether you need the test depends on your situation and nationality, so verify what applies to you.

No matter which path you use, the core principle is the same: your application should be complete, coherent, and easy to read. If it is not, your timeline becomes unpredictable.

The admin stack: BSN, BRP, DigiD, KvK, banking

A lot of “DAFT stress” is not the IND. It is the admin stack. It is appointments, registrations, and access. The Netherlands is efficient, but it is also structured. You cannot skip steps.

Here is the practical view of the stack most people need to think about:

  • BRP registration: registering with the municipality in the Personal Records Database is the foundation for many other steps.
  • BSN: your citizen service number is used across Dutch administration.
  • DigiD: the login that lets you access a growing number of government services online.
  • KvK: your business registration. The IND notes timing requirements in treaty situations. If you are making a first-time treaty application without a residence permit, the IND states you must register with the Chamber of Commerce within 6 months after you receive your residence permit, or the IND may revoke the permit.
  • Banking: you need a bank trail that matches your company name and your capital story, and you need it early enough to avoid last-minute scrambling.

What makes DAFT feel hard: people try to do all admin steps at the same time. The fix is sequencing. Decide the order, book appointments early, and keep a single “admin folder” with confirmations and screenshots.

If you want a step-by-step roadmap for the admin stack (with links and sequencing), start with the DAFT DIY Guide or browse the DAFT Resources Hub.

What you do not need (and what is optional)

This section is where people save money. DAFT attracts service bundles that are priced like they contain secret knowledge. Most of the time, they contain links you could have found in 10 minutes.

Here is a simple way to categorize services:

  • Required: the steps that the IND and Dutch administration actually require (application, evidence, registration steps).
  • Optional convenience: someone helps you do something you could do yourself, like filling out online forms.
  • Optional expertise: a licensed professional provides a regulated service, like legal representation or tax filing.
  • Predatory packaging: optional convenience is sold as required, bundled with fear, and priced accordingly.

It is completely fine to pay for convenience. The problem is when someone implies you cannot do DAFT without them, or when they sell you a bundle of basic tasks as if it is a legal requirement. Always ask what part is required and what part is convenience.

Quick test: If a provider cannot define deliverables in writing, you are not buying a service. You are buying a feeling.

Paying for help: how to avoid expensive non-help

Some people do benefit from support. The key is paying for the right kind of support. The wrong kind is a middleman who collects your PDFs and forwards them, while you still make every real decision yourself.

If you are considering paid help, ask these questions and do not let anyone dodge them:

  • What are the deliverables? Ask for a written list. “Support” is not a deliverable.
  • What will you do that I would otherwise do myself? If the answer is “upload documents and we will submit,” that is not much value.
  • What is my role? If you are still filling out the form and assembling the pack, you are the project manager. Price accordingly.
  • What happens if the IND requests more evidence? Is that included, or is it a new invoice?
  • What credentials are you claiming? If someone presents as a “lawyer,” verify what that means in the Netherlands and whether they are registered as an advocaat.

On credentials: English words carry assumptions. In the U.S., “lawyer” is a licensed legal professional. In the Netherlands, legal roles and titles are different. If you want to verify whether someone is an advocaat, use the Dutch Bar search tool. If a provider is honest, they will welcome verification.

My opinion: The best support makes you more capable. It does not make you dependent. If a provider’s business model requires you to stay confused, you are in the wrong place.

Pre-submit audit: the calm final check

Most DAFT mistakes are not “you did not qualify.” They are “your file was unclear” mistakes. A pre-submit audit fixes that. You can do this yourself if you are disciplined. The key is to audit like you are the IND and you do not know you.

Coherence checks

  • Is your name consistent across passport, forms, and any registrations?
  • Is your business name consistent across KvK, bank statement, and evidence?
  • Does the capital story match across transfers, statements, and opening balance sheet?
  • Are there any unexplained gaps or contradictory numbers?

Packaging checks

  • Do you have a folder (or labeled PDF section) for every item in the IND evidence list?
  • Are filenames readable without opening the file?
  • Do you have one “master index” document that lists what you included?
  • Could you answer an IND question in 60 seconds by pointing to the right page?

If you want a practical system, here is a simple naming convention that keeps you sane:

  • YYYY-MM-DD at the start of every filename
  • Category (ID, Bank, KvK, BalanceSheet, Transfer, Form)
  • Your name or business name
  • Short descriptor (for example “OpeningBalance” or “CapitalTransferConfirmation”)

Stress reducer: save a single “DAFT Submission Pack” PDF that contains your full evidence in the order of the IND list. Even if you submit items separately, having a pack makes it easier to spot gaps.

If you want a second set of eyes before you submit, see the DAFT DIY Companion. You stay in control, but you are not guessing.

Tools and resources

If you want one place to start, use our DAFT hub. It exists because people should not have to stitch together a process from scattered posts and paid sales funnels.

Start here

If your biggest stress is money setup, cashflow, or move-year decisions, you can also explore Financial Advisory. It is not a DAFT requirement. It is a practical support layer for the real world that surrounds DAFT.

Sources and official links

This article is intentionally sources-first. Requirements, fees, and forms can change, so verify against the official pages below.

Next step

If you want a structured roadmap, start with the DAFT hub. If you want a second set of eyes, the DIY Companion exists for that exact moment.

Explore DAFT Resources
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Author: lloydnapier

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