{"id":3266,"date":"2026-05-07T11:03:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T10:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/ongecategoriseerd\/visas-for-self-employed-persons-in-the-netherlands\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T14:47:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:47:22","slug":"visas-for-self-employed-persons-in-the-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/tips\/visas-for-self-employed-persons-in-the-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Visas for self-employed persons in the Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\" id=\"wpb-content-root\"><p>[vc_row el_class=&#8221;blog_single_page&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Starting your own business in the Netherlands as a non-EU\/EEA national offers many opportunities \u2014 but it also involves a complex immigration process. One of the most popular routes is the residence permit for self-employed persons, also known as the <strong>\u2018entrepreneur visa\u2019<\/strong>. In this blog, we explain how it works, what requirements you need to meet and how you can increase your chances of approval.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>What is the self-employed residence permit?<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The self-employed residence permit allows you to live and work in the Netherlands as an entrepreneur. This could be, for example, as a freelancer, consultant or business owner. Unlike some other countries, the Netherlands uses a<strong> points-based system<\/strong>. This means that your application is assessed on several criteria \u2014 not just on the basis of your business idea.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Who is this permit suitable for?<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The self-employed visa is intended for entrepreneurs from outside the EU\/EEA who wish to set up or continue their own business in the Netherlands. This visa is particularly suitable for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Freelancers and self-employed professionals <\/strong>\u2014 e.g. consultants, coaches, creatives<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aspiring entrepreneurs<\/strong> with a concrete and well-founded business idea<\/li>\n<li><strong>International entrepreneurs<\/strong> who wish to expand their existing business into the Netherlands<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specialists with unique knowledge or expertise<\/strong> who add value to the Dutch market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Americans can use this visa without having to submit an application under the points-based system. You can read more about the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/tips\/daft-visa-requirements-benefits-application-process-and-tips\/\">DAFT visa<\/a> here.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>How does the points system work?<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Your application will be assessed on three main criteria:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Personal experience<\/strong> \u2014 Your education, work experience and entrepreneurial experience.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Business Plan <\/strong>\u2014 The quality, rationale and feasibility of your business plan.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Added value for the Netherlands<\/strong> \u2014 What your company contributes to the Dutch economy, for example in terms of innovation, employment or specific expertise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>What makes an application strong?<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]A successful application is not just about having a good idea \u2014 it\u2019s mainly about how you present it. Key elements include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A realistic and well-founded financial plan<\/li>\n<li>A clear and logical organisational structure<\/li>\n<li>A robust pricing strategy and cost calculation<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrable knowledge and experience<\/li>\n<li>A clear explanation of your added value for the Dutch market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many applications are rejected, not because the idea is bad, but because the supporting evidence is insufficient.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Common challenges<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Applicants often underestimate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Level of detail required in a business plan<\/li>\n<li>The importance of financial justification<\/li>\n<li>The requirements relating to market research<\/li>\n<li>How specific and clear the entire application needs to be<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even minor ambiguities can affect the assessment.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Why professional guidance makes all the difference<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Applying for an entrepreneur visa can be overwhelming \u2014 especially if you\u2019re setting up your business at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>Professional support can help to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To structure your application in a logical and convincing manner<\/li>\n<li>Turning your idea into a strong business plan<\/li>\n<li>Avoiding common mistakes<\/li>\n<li>To save time and reduce stress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>How Move with IRIS can help you<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]At <strong>Move with IRIS<\/strong>, we guide entrepreneurs through the entire process \u2014 from developing your business plan to assisting with your visa application. Whether you\u2019re still in the exploratory phase or already have a concrete plan, we\u2019ll help you turn it into a strong and promising application.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Would you like to know what your options are?<\/strong><br \/>\nPlease feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/contact\/\">get in touch<\/a> \u2014 we\u2019d be happy to help you find a solution.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-default-css\">.vc_do_btn{margin-bottom:22px;}<\/style><style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-custom-css\">.vc_custom_1780402175081{background-image: url(https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/img-bg-cta.jpg?id=1047) !important;}<\/style><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-temp=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"row row-fluid begeleiding_section background_custom vc_custom_1780402175081 row-has-fill\"><div class=\"column vc_column_container col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">\"Move with confidence, Move with IRIS\"<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">International Relocation &amp; Immigration Services<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_empty_space\"   style=\"height: 50px\"><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"vc_btn3-container vc_btn3-center vc_do_btn\" ><a style=\"background-color:#ebebeb; color:#666;\" class=\"vc_general vc_btn3 vc_btn3-size- vc_btn3-shape- vc_btn3-style-btn-primary\" href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" title=\"\">Request an intake interview<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Starting your own business in the Netherlands as a non-EU\/EEA national offers many opportunities \u2014 but it also involves a...","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3266"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4042,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3266\/revisions\/4042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movewithiris.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}