Is the DAFT Self-Employed Permit or the Startup Visa faster to get?

They are similar: the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty takes about 1–3 months and the Startup Residence Permit about 1–3 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

Which costs more, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Startup Residence Permit?

The DAFT Self-Employed Permit (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) costs more, about $1,700 in official fees, versus $380 for the Startup Visa (Startup Residence Permit). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the DAFT Self-Employed Permit or the Startup Visa?

The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the Startup Residence Permit leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Startup Residence Permit?

No. Neither the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty nor the Startup Residence Permit requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

DAFT Self-Employed Permit vs Startup Visa

Netherlands · Dutch-American Friendship Treatyvs Netherlands · Startup Residence Permit

Quick answerUpdated 2026-05-02

The Startup Residence Permit is cheaper on official fees ($380), both lead to permanent residency. Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your citizenship and how much capital you can invest upfront. The DAFT is exclusive to Americans but requires €4,500 in business investment for a longer 2-year permit. The Startup Visa is open to anyone worldwide, costs less, but demands a bachelor's degree and partnership with a Dutch accelerator.

Section 01

At a glance

Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

Startup Residence Permit

Processing time

1–3 months

Application fee

$1,700

$380

Initial validity

2 yrs

1 yr

Path to PR

Yes, ~5 yrs

Points-based

Employer sponsor

Not required

Minimum salary

—

Language test

Not required

Verified

2026-05-02

Section 02

Which one fits you?

01
Your citizenship
Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Pick DAFT if you're a US citizen. It's not available to anyone else.
Pick Startup Residence Permit
Pick Startup Visa if you're not American. You're ineligible for DAFT.
02
Available capital
Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Pick DAFT if you can invest €4,500 in your Dutch business immediately.
Pick Startup Residence Permit
Pick Startup Visa if you'd rather minimize upfront costs (€380 vs €4,500).
03
Education level
Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Pick DAFT if you don't have a bachelor's degree. No education requirement.
Pick Startup Residence Permit
Pick Startup Visa if you hold a bachelor's degree and want accelerator support.
04
Permit length and flexibility
Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Pick DAFT for a longer 2-year permit with immediate self-employment status.
Pick Startup Residence Permit
Pick Startup Visa for 1-year structure with optional conversion to self-employed after.

Section 03

Common questions

Is the DAFT Self-Employed Permit or the Startup Visa faster to get?: They are similar: the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty takes about 1–3 months and the Startup Residence Permit about 1–3 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.
Which costs more, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Startup Residence Permit?: The DAFT Self-Employed Permit (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) costs more, about $1,700 in official fees, versus $380 for the Startup Visa (Startup Residence Permit). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.
Can I get permanent residency with the DAFT Self-Employed Permit or the Startup Visa?: The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the Startup Residence Permit leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Do I need a job offer for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty or the Startup Residence Permit?: No. Neither the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty nor the Startup Residence Permit requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Section 04

Read the full pathway