Focus on the DAFT and DJFT: requirements to apply and recent changes

To apply under either treaty, individuals must meet the general conditions that apply to all residence permit applicants. In addition, they must hold the nationality of the country covered by the treaty. Applicants must also fall into at least one of the following categories:

1. They represent an American or Japanese company and hold a key position within that company.
2. They practise a free or ‘vrij’ profession as part of their work activities.
3. They invest a substantial amount of capital in their own company, usually EUR 4,500.

Due to the flexibility of these requirements, the DAFT and DJFT are popular options for self-employed individuals in a wide range of professional fields, small business owners, and employees with significant roles in larger organisations.

Changes to the DAFT and DJFT

In the past, all of the above conditions had to be assessed by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) on a case-by-case basis before a residence permit could be granted. This approach often led to practical difficulties. For example, individuals who were new to the Netherlands were sometimes unable to open a Dutch bank account in order to deposit the required capital. Others encountered issues when registering their company with the Chamber of Commerce because they had not yet been issued a citizen service number (BSN).

These dependencies created confusion and additional administrative hurdles, making it challenging for applicants to meet the requirements in practice and resulting in unnecessary bureaucratic delays.

Following policy changes introduced in recent years, the IND has adjusted its approach. For initial applications based on the DAFT or DJFT, applicants are now required to meet the treaty conditions within six months after receiving their residence permit, rather than as a prerequisite for the permit. The IND will carry out checks to confirm that the applicant has met and continues to meet the conditions for residence.

For residence permit extensions under these treaties, different requirements apply. The IND has confirmed that there is no longer a prior assessment for initial applications. This means that the conditions remain fully applicable and must be met, but they are no longer reviewed by the IND before the initial residence permit is issued.

In certain situations, it is possible to apply for the 30% ruling while holding a DAFT or DJFT residence permit. Specific conditions must be met to qualify. We can also support you with tailored advice on this matter.

Extensions of the DAFT and DJFT Residence Permits

For residence permit extensions under the DAFT or DJFT, additional evidence of economic activity in the Netherlands is required. This includes validation of the relevant accounts by an accountant, confirming that the company has carried out genuine economic activities in the Netherlands.

The IND also requires the submission of annual accounts, as well as a balance sheet or income statement. These documents serve as further proof that the business activities meet the treaty requirements.

The cost of an initial application in 2026 is EUR 423. The IND has a statutory decision period of up to 90 days. The initial residence permit is issued for a period of two years and can be extended by a further five years, provided that all requirements continue to be met throughout the validity of the permit. This includes ensuring that the capital investment has never fallen below the required minimum and that there has been continuous, genuine economic activity during the entire permit period.

Should you have any questions about the requirements of the DAFT or DJFT, please feel free to contact us.

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